Myora Springs: A Tranquil Oasis on North Stradbroke Island

Myora Springs, or Moongalba, is a serene freshwater spring located on North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah), Queensland. For thousands of years, this spring has been a vital source of fresh water for the island's wildlife. The area holds deep cultural significance for the Quandamooka People, the Traditional Custodians of Minjerribah, who favored it as a camping spot. Large middens near the creek's mouth provide evidence of this history. The spring water flows through various wetland forests, including paperbark swamps, eucalypt woodlands, and mangrove forests, before reaching Moreton Bay. This creates a unique environment supporting diverse flora and fauna. Visitors can explore the area via boardwalks and interpretive signs, offering a tranquil experience and a chance to connect with nature. The clean water has a slightly brownish tint due to tannins from the surrounding trees. In 1978, Myora Springs became known as the home of the rare nocturnal mammal, the false water rat, which was previously thought to be extinct. The area is also home to diverse wildlife, including freshwater crayfish, prawns, bungwal ferns, kookaburras, brahminy kites, and white-bellied sea eagles. Dogs are prohibited in the Myora Springs area to protect the pristine environment and wildlife. Historically, the Moreton Bay Oyster Company bought land near the creek in 1874, and later, the Levinges family, an oystering family, donated land next to the spring for a reserve. A chute was once built to allow boaters to replenish their freshwater supplies, but it is no longer there.