Most visitors to Moreton Bay know Peel Island only as the uninhabited land mass you pass on the way to North Stradbroke Island.
The island is accessible only by watercraft, with the main attraction being Horseshoe Bay on its southern side. On weekends and holidays, boats, yachts and sea kayaks jostle for position in this picturesque bay to get close to the pristine, sandy beach or find the best fishing spot.
Dugongs, turtles, sharks and dolphins frequent the waters around the island, and thousands of jellyfish can be see following the currents most of the year.
The island has a fascinating history. Over the past 200 years, it’s been home to a quarantine station, asylum, sisal farm and leper colony.
Peel Island embraces Teerk Roo Ra National Park and while Horseshoe and Platypus bays are open to the public, access is restricted to most of the island.
History
Most visitors to Moreton Bay know Peel Island only as the uninhabited land mass you pass on the way to North Stradbroke Island. The island is accessible only by watercraft, with the main attraction being Horseshoe Bay on its southern side. On weekends and holidays, boats, yachts and sea kayaks jostle for position in this picturesque bay to get close to the pristine, sandy beach or find the best fishing spot. Dugongs, turtles, sharks and dolphins frequent the waters around the island, and thousands of jellyfish can be see following the currents most of the year.
The island has a fascinating history. Over the past 200 years, it’s been home to a quarantine station, benevolent asylum, a sisal farm and lazaret (leper colony). Peel Island embraces Teerk Roo Ra National Park and while Horseshoe and Platypus bays are open to the public, access is restricted to most of the island.
Find out more through the Redlands Coast History library catalogue.
See the latest demographic snapshot for the Southern Moreton Bay Islands.