The island lies between the sub-tropical and temperate zones, and its waters feature a wide range of terrestrial, coastal and marine ecosystems.
[4] Mud flats surround the island, providing an estuarine environment which supports worms and bivalves and other tiny organisms.
Prof. William Stephenson, a biologist at the university, had used the station regularly as a teaching destination for undergraduate and postgraduate student field trips.
Funding was sought from the university in 1997 to demolish the old buildings, and construct a modern, purpose-designed teaching and research facility.
The new Moreton Bay Research Station and Study Centre (MBRS) was opened on 23 June 2000,[7] by the Honourable Peter Beattie, MLA, with funding provided by the University of Queensland, the Port of Brisbane Corporation, the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron and Consolidated Rutile Limited (now Sibelco Australia).