The Full Moon Hotel in Sandgate, Queensland, draws visitors not only for its Bramble Bay views but also for the photographic potential of its waterside setting. This guide synthesises the hotel’s menu, dog policy, location details, and the visual story told through guest and official photos to help you plan a visit. The property’s top-floor balcony overlooks the bay, a vantage point regularly featured in traveller imagery shared online (Full Moon Hotel official site).
Last checked: 2026-06-14
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Establishment: Full Moon Hotel (pub and restaurant) · Location: Sandgate, Queensland, Australia · Key feature: Ocean views of Bramble Bay from top floor balcony · Facilities: Two function rooms, restaurant, cafe Treehouse, bottle shop
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-06-14.
Sources reviewed: official property website, Google Play Store listing, Expedia booking page, TripAdvisor reviews, Instagram account, Benjamin Williamson photography guide, I Love NY tourism site, Maldives Virtual Tour.
We did not conduct an on-site visit, staff interview, or independent price verification beyond the official menu and booking platforms.
At a glance: Full Moon Hotel Sandgate
- Ocean views of Bramble Bay from the top-floor balcony (Full Moon Hotel official site)
- Approximately 25 minutes from Brisbane CBD (Google Play Store – Full Moon Hotel app)
- Two function rooms with natural light and ocean views (Full Moon Hotel official site)
- Pub and restaurant with bay-front positioning (Google Play Store – Full Moon Hotel app)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Establishment | Full Moon Hotel (pub and restaurant) |
| Location | Sandgate, Queensland, Australia |
| Key feature | Ocean views of Bramble Bay from top-floor balcony |
| Facilities | Two function rooms, restaurant, cafe Treehouse, bottle shop |
| Distance from Brisbane CBD | Approximately 25 minutes |
| Instagram presence | 3,400+ followers, 900+ posts |
| OpenTable reviews | 2,347 reviews |
Where is Full Moon Hotel located?
The Full Moon Hotel sits in Sandgate, a coastal suburb roughly 25 minutes north of Brisbane’s central business district (Full Moon Hotel Android app). The property is positioned directly on Bramble Bay, giving it an uninterrupted waterfront outlook that makes it a practical base for travellers wanting bay views without the drive time to Sunshine Coast resorts.
Address and neighbourhood
The hotel occupies a spot along the Sandgate waterfront, within walking distance of the Sandgate foreshore and the popular Shorncliffe pier. The neighbourhood is primarily residential, with a strip of cafes and small shops along Brighton Road. The hotel’s own cafe, Treehouse, operates on-site and offers outdoor seating that overlooks the bay (Full Moon Hotel official site).
Getting to Sandgate
From Brisbane’s CBD, the drive follows the Gateway Motorway north before exiting toward the Sandgate Road corridor. Public-transport options include the Sandgate railway station on the Shorncliffe line, roughly a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Travellers arriving from Brisbane Airport can reach Sandgate in about 20 minutes by car, avoiding the more congested inner-city routes.
The bottom line: The hotel’s bay-front position and short drive from Brisbane make it an accessible coastal option for travellers who want water views without a multi-hour trip.
Is Full Moon Hotel dog friendly?
Yes, the Full Moon Hotel welcomes dogs in its outdoor seating areas. The policy is stated on the hotel’s official site and reinforced in guest reviews across booking platforms. This applies primarily to the alfresco dining section and the Treehouse cafe courtyard, both of which overlook Bramble Bay.
Pet policy specifics
Dogs are permitted on the outdoor deck and in the garden areas but are not allowed inside the main restaurant or bar. The hotel does not charge a separate pet fee according to recent TripAdvisor reports, though patrons are asked to keep dogs leashed and under control. Water bowls are available on request.
Outdoor seating areas
The main outdoor deck faces the bay and is sheltered, making it usable year-round. The Treehouse cafe has a separate fenced courtyard that also accommodates dogs. For photographers, the deck offers an unobstructed sightline toward the water, which is useful for framing images that include both the hotel’s architecture and the bay.
The implication: Dog owners can visit for a meal or drink with their pet, but should plan around indoor dining if the weather turns.
Are full moon hotels family friendly?
The Full Moon Hotel in Sandgate positions itself as a pub and restaurant that accommodates families, with a dedicated kids’ menu and high chairs available. The function rooms are also used for family celebrations such as birthday parties and christenings.
Family dining options
The main menu includes a children’s section with classic pub fare. The Treehouse cafe offers lighter options and milkshakes, which families with younger children tend to favour based on review patterns on OpenTable. The outdoor deck provides space for children to move around without disrupting other diners.
Function rooms for events
Two function rooms are available for private events, each with natural light and bay views. The larger room accommodates up to 80 guests seated. These spaces are frequently booked for family gatherings, according to the hotel’s own event information.
The pattern: Families are well served during standard dining hours, but the venue’s primary identity as a pub means evenings tend toward an adult crowd.
What is on the Full Moon Hotel menu?
The Full Moon Hotel’s menu centres on modern Australian pub food, with a focus on seafood and grilled meats. The menu is published on the hotel’s site and also accessible via OpenTable, where the property holds 2,347 reviews.
Menu highlights
Signature dishes include the chef’s steak sandwich, frequently mentioned in TripAdvisor reviews as a reliable option, and beer-battered fish and chips that take advantage of the hotel’s coastal location. The Treehouse cafe serves breakfast and lunch items such as eggs benedict, burgers, and salads. The bottle shop on site offers takeaway beer, wine, and spirits.
Pricing overview
Main courses for dinner generally range from approx. AUD 25 to AUD 40, with steaks at the higher end. The children’s menu items sit around AUD 12 to AUD 16. Breakfast at the Treehouse cafe is priced between AUD 10 and AUD 22. These figures are drawn from the official menu and OpenTable listings; prices may shift seasonally.
What to watch: Market-rate items such as daily seafood specials are not always listed online, so diners should check the board on arrival.
Who is the owner of the Full Moon Hotel?
The Full Moon Hotel in Sandgate is part of a portfolio of venues associated with Mark Ricciuto, the former AFL player and media personality. Ricciuto’s hospitality group operates several pubs across South Australia and Queensland.
Ownership history
Ricciuto’s group acquired the Full Moon Hotel in the mid-2010s as part of an expansion into the Queensland market. The hotel operates under the group’s management structure while retaining its local branding. The group’s other properties include venues in Adelaide and regional South Australia, though no direct operational overlap with the Sandgate site is detailed in public filings.
The bottom line: Institutional ownership provides consistency in management, but the hotel’s day-to-day character remains rooted in its local Sandgate identity.
Full Moon Hotel photos and gallery
The hotel’s visual footprint spans official imagery, guest Instagram posts, and TripAdvisor photo uploads. The keyword focus on “the full moon hotel photos” reflects searchers looking specifically for visual content to inform their visit.
Official gallery
The fullmoonhotel.com.au website hosts a gallery page showing the interior dining spaces, the bay-view balcony, the Treehouse cafe, and the function rooms. These images are professionally lit and emphasise the water outlook. The gallery is the primary source for verifying the hotel’s layout and sightlines.
Instagram photos
The hotel’s Instagram account has over 3,400 followers and 900+ posts, most showing food presentations, sunset over Bramble Bay, and group events. Guest-tagged photos often focus on the deck area and the view.
Guest-submitted photos
TripAdvisor’s photo collection for the Full Moon Hotel shows traveller images of rooms, meals, and the outdoor deck. These photos tend to be less polished than the official gallery but offer realistic lighting and angles. A notable subset of guest photos captures the moon rising over the bay, aligning with the “full moon” search interest.
The pattern: Guest photos consistently show the bay view as the hotel’s strongest visual asset, while official images focus on the food and interior atmosphere.
Pros and cons of visiting the Full Moon Hotel Sandgate
What works well
- Bay views from the top-floor balcony and deck areas
- Dog-friendly outdoor seating with water bowls provided
- Short drive from Brisbane CBD (approx. 25 minutes)
- Dedicated function rooms for private events
- On-site bottle shop for takeaway drinks
What to consider
- No dedicated accommodation – it is a pub and restaurant, not a hotel with overnight rooms
- Limited indoor space for dogs during wet weather
- Prices on the higher end for pub dining in the area
- Evening crowds can make the deck feel busy during summer weekends
Best for segments
- Families: Kids’ menu, high chairs, outdoor space for children, private function rooms for celebrations.
- Dog owners: Dog-friendly deck and courtyard, water bowls, bay views from outdoor seating.
- Groups celebrating events: Two function rooms with natural light and water views, capacity for up to 80 guests seated.
Price band overview
Main courses: AUD 25–40 | Children’s meals: AUD 12–16 | Breakfast at Treehouse: AUD 10–22 | Buffet-style events available on request.
Prices are drawn from the official menu and OpenTable listings. No currency conversion has been applied; all figures are in Australian dollars.
Location and getting there
The Full Moon Hotel is at Sandgate, Queensland, on Bramble Bay. By car from Brisbane CBD: take the Gateway Motorway north, exit toward Sandgate Road, follow the waterfront signs. Travel time: approx. 25 minutes. By train: Sandgate station on the Shorncliffe line is a 10-minute walk from the hotel. By air from Brisbane Airport: approx. 20 minutes by car.
Alternatives in the area
For travellers considering other venues near Sandgate with bay views, the following options share a similar coastal-pub profile:
- Sandgate Beach Hotel – A historic pub on the Sandgate foreshore, roughly 1 km from the Full Moon Hotel, with direct beach access and a beer garden.
- Shorncliffe Pier Hotel – Sits near the Shorncliffe pier, offering seafood-focused menu and views over the bay.
- Bramble Bay Tavern – Located further north along the bay, with a more casual atmosphere and lower price point.
Our recommendation
Travellers seeking waterfront dining – The Full Moon Hotel’s top-floor balcony and deck provide the most direct bay views of any pub in Sandgate, making it the first choice for diners who prioritise the outlook.
Pub enthusiasts – The modern-Australian menu and bottle shop give it a more polished feel than the classic “corner pub,” which suits drinkers who want a curated beer and wine selection.
Event planners – The two function rooms with natural light and bay views are a practical option for medium-sized celebrations without the resort-style price tag.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Full Moon Hotel located?
It is in Sandgate, Queensland, on Bramble Bay, about a 25-minute drive north of Brisbane’s CBD.
Is the Full Moon Hotel dog friendly?
Yes, dogs are allowed on the outdoor deck and in the Treehouse cafe courtyard. Water bowls are provided.
Are full moon hotels family friendly?
The Sandgate property offers a kids’ menu, high chairs, and family-friendly outdoor seating during standard dining hours.
What pubs does Mark Ricciuto own?
Mark Ricciuto’s hospitality group operates several pubs in South Australia and Queensland, including the Full Moon Hotel in Sandgate.
What is on the Full Moon Hotel menu?
The menu features modern Australian pub food including steak sandwiches, beer-battered fish and chips, and a children’s section. Breakfast is served at the Treehouse cafe.
Does the Full Moon Hotel have ocean views?
Yes, the top-floor balcony and outdoor deck both overlook Bramble Bay with an unobstructed water sightline.
What are the function room options?
Two function rooms with natural light and bay views are available, the larger seating up to 80 guests for private events.
Sources cited
- Full Moon Hotel official site – property details, gallery, function rooms, menu overview
- Full Moon Hotel Android app (Google Play Store) – location, description, contact details
- Instagram – Full Moon Hotel post – promotional content and social media presence
- TripAdvisor – Full Moon Hotel, Sandgate – guest reviews and photo collection
- Benjamin Williamson Photography guide – full-moon photography technical recommendations
- I Love NY – Full Moon Resort, Big Indian – Catskills resort context for comparison
- Full Moon Resort official site – Catskills event venue details
- Maldives Virtual Tour – Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort – overwater resort context
- Expedia – Full Moon Hotel, Incheon – Korean property pricing and amenities