The wait is over. After 15 years, Dunk Island is finally open for overnight stays. Yep, Dunk Island is officially welcoming overnight guests again after being decimated by Cyclone Yasi in 2011.
Dunk Island sits four kilometres off the Queensland Coast. More precisely four kilometres off the coast of Mission Beach in the Whitsundays. Known to the Djiru people as Coonanglebah, meaning ‘island of peace and plenty’, this small island in the Great Barrier Reef holds a special place for many Australians who had visited the island before Cyclone Yasi struck.
Sitting dormant for over a decade, Dunk Island is coming back. The former resort is still a ruin, but the Dunk Island Group is carefully bring it back.
Accommodation Options on Dunk Island
New Beachfront Eco Tents
It has been a long time coming but you can now stay overnight in one of the new Beachfront Eco Tents. At this time, only available from Wednesday to Sunday for overnight stays. If you would like to experience sleeping on the island without roughing it, there are different tent configurations available. Currently, Single Twin, Queen Twin (two queen beds) and King. Add in a little luxury of linen and towels, a fan, a charging dock with a power outlet, and an esky stocked with ice.
The tents are unpowered. Each has a portable charging dock that handles devices, fan and lights. There is no air conditioning and a shared amenities block available for all your bathroom needs.
Bayside Campsites
Alongside the Eco Tents, six Bayside Campsites remain open year-round for those who prefer a more traditional bring-your-own-tent experience, accommodating groups of up to six people.
Accommodation Costs
From $260 per night for the Single Twin Eco Tent, and from $311 per night for the Queen Twin and King Eco Tents with a 2 night minimum stay.
Bayside tent from $60 per night.
Services on Dunk Island
The Dunk Island Restaurant is open 8am to 8pm Wednesday to Sunday. It has a full cocktail bar and a la carte menus. You can bring your own food, but there is no way to heat it.
What to See and Do on the Island
Dunk Island is a small island. It has roughly 970 hectares of national park with four walking trails of varying difficulty. One walk includes climbing to the Mt Kootaloo lookout.
As the Dunk Island is an island there are lots of water things to do. You can swim, snorkel or hire a kayak or stand-up paddle board. Perhaps hire a beach umbrellas and sun lounge and just lounge around!
One important seasonal note: swimming at the beaches without a full-body stinger suit isn’t recommended from November to May. The peak season window of June through October is the sweet spot for those who want to get in the water freely.
You may even see some Ulysses Butterflies that Dunk Island is known for, particularly while walking in the rainforest areas.
How to Get to Dunk Island
Getting to Dunk Island is straightforward. As an island, there is a twice daily ferry service running from Mission Beach from Wednesday to Sunday. Just note that the ferry doesn’t run on Mondays or Tuesdays, so plan your arrival and departure days accordingly.
Departure times of 8.45am and 12.30pm from the mainland. The return ferry service departs at 10.30am and 3.30pm.
Return ferry tickets cost $66.30 for adults or $41 for children. Families with two adults and two children can receive a 10 per cent discount.
For more details how to visit Dunk Island visit the website.
If you would like to visit Dunk Island for a day trip, there are day tours you can go on.
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