This hidden Whitsundays island is getting a luxury lodge

Emily Murphy Emily Murphy
hero media
A world-class eco-lodge is set to redefine sustainable luxury in the Whitsundays.

Hook Island, one of the Whitsunday Islands’ most ruggedly beautiful gems, is poised for a transformative revival. After over a decade of closure from being severely impacted by cyclones, the 58-square-kilometre island will soon welcome visitors back with the unveiling of plans for a world-class eco-lodge that promises to set a new benchmark for sustainable luxury in Australia.

Expected to open in 2027, the eco-lodge will cover 9.3 hectares and feature 39 biophilic cabins, world-class dining, forest eco pools, wellness spaces and adventure activities – all designed to immerse guests in the island’s natural splendour.

A vision rooted in nature

Hook Island snorkellers, The Whitsundays
The project aims to restore Hook Island’s wild charm. (Image: Tourism Whitsundays)

Led by Epochal Hotels’ chief executive officer Glenn Piper and a group of investors, the project aims to restore Hook Island’s wild charm while honouring its delicate ecosystem.

“Hook Island is a truly spectacular part of the world – its raw beauty deserves a sanctuary that both preserves and celebrates every facet of its charm," Piper says.

Partnering with globally acclaimed design firm Luxury Frontiers, known for eco-luxury projects like Madwaleni River Lodge in South Africa and Naviva, a Four Seasons Resort in Mexico, the resort embraces barefoot luxury design principles. Expect interiors inspired by the island’s vibrant marine life, earthy landscapes and tropical forests.

Luxury Frontiers managing partner and chief design officer Graeme Labe said they are privileged to bring this responsible eco-tourism destination to life.

“We’re revitalising a beautiful location with a design ethos that aligns with an inspired vision for purposeful, adventurous travel," Labe says.

“The design is grounded in the island’s natural, social and historical elements to create an authentic sense of place."

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

What to expect

Hook Island eco lodge render
The beach club will be the place to be all year round.

The Hook Island eco-lodge will offer six distinct accommodation types ranging from beachfront to forest rooms, and each will have its own unique design.

Key amenities will include a beach club with all-day dining, a bar, outdoor fire pit, pool and lounging deck, a tranquil Nordic Cycle forest spa and eco pool, a clifftop fine-dining restaurant with sweeping views of Stingray Bay, an explorer’s lounge celebrating the island’s history and family-friendly spaces such as a lounge, yoga pavilion and kids adventure club that encourages nature play and exploration.

Sustainability at the core

Hook Island aerial shot, The Whitsundays
Hook Island’s eco-lodge will be a commitment to conservation. (Image: Tourism Whitsundays)

Hook Island’s eco-lodge will be more than just a luxury retreat; it’s a commitment to conservation. The development will utilise cyclone-resistant, modular architecture, guided by extensive tree surveys to protect native flora and fauna. Water-efficient systems, recycled wastewater irrigation and eco-friendly appliances will be integral to daily operations.

Andrew Powell MP, Minister for the Environment and Tourism welcomed the project.

“This development will allow visitors from around Queensland, Australia and the globe to experience this natural beauty up close," Powell says.

After being closed for over a decade, Hook Island is set to reemerge as a beacon of sustainable tourism. With its blend of wild beauty, innovative design and eco-conscious ethos, this is one Whitsunday escape that will be worth the wait.

Want to see more stories from Australian Traveller in your Google search results?

  1. Click here to set Australian Traveller as a preferred source.
  2. Tick the box next to "Australian Traveller". That's it.
Emily Murphy
Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her 4+ years at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? South Australia and The Kimberley.
View profile and articles
Reefworld aerial view
The Whitsundays

Australia’s famous Great Barrier Reef stay just got a serious upgrade

Reefworld has undergone a total transformation, with overnight-only stays offering guests exclusive access to the reef and a more elevated, immersive experience.

Read more
Hamilton island beach club pool
Hamilton Island

Inside Beach Club, Hamilton Island’s adults-only nirvana 

Expect pared-back polish with a tropical lilt at this child-free haven of island escapism.

Read more
views from Reef View hamilton island
Hamilton Island

What it’s like to stay at Reef View Hotel, Hamilton Island 

With knockout ocean views, diverse rooms and an enviable location, Reef View Hotel delivers a trifecta of high-calibre comfort. We check in.

Read more
hamilton island accommodation qualia
Hamilton Island

10 of the best Hamilton Island accommodation picks

Cool hideouts, beachfront hotels, five-star resorts and grand holiday homes shine bright amongst the stellar selection of Hamilton Island accommodation options.

Read more
hero media

4 surprising ways to experience the real Gold Coast

Credit: Reuben Nutt

    Rachael Thompson Rachael Thompson
    Continue
    There’s more to discover in this buzzing city beyond its thrilling theme parks and pretty beaches.

    One of the world’s most celebrated coastal destinations, the Gold Coast has long drawn in visitors with its endless stretches of golden sand and thrilling theme parks. And while these iconic drawcards deliver time and time again, there’s much more to discover in this idyllic pocket of the world.

    Luxury enthusiasts are catered for with fabulous five-star retreats, foodies can delight their taste buds with the freshest produce, and nature lovers can lose themselves in a world of ancient rainforest.

    From the Hinterland to the sea, here are five surprising ways to experience the Gold Coast.

    1. Indulge in luxury

    Mondrian Gold Coast women enjoying Pampering treatments at the Ciel Spa and wellness facilities
    Escape the grind inside Mondrian Gold Coast’s CIEL Spa. (Credit: Demi Gavin)

    If you’re in need of a weekend away to recharge, you’re well looked after with the suite of five-star beachfront hotels. And with the country’s first Andaz hotel opening later this year in Broadbeach and a glamorous Ritz-Carlton on the way, a new era of luxury is being ushered in.

    Many of these hotels, like The Langham (Chuan Spa) and the Mondrian Gold Coast (CIEL Spa), feature world-class day spas in sumptuous settings, offering treatments spanning massages, facials, body wraps, and hand and foot therapies from some of the world’s best therapists.

    It would also be remiss when on the Gold Coast not to take to the sparkling waters, and the most stylish way to do so is by chartering a yacht, of course. Set sail on your own private haven from Crystal Blue Yacht Charters or Sailing in Paradise, spending your days lounging on deck, discovering secluded coves only accessible by boat and dipping in crystalline waters.

    2. Escape to the Hinterland

    experience the Gold Coast at springbrook national park Warrie Circuit, looking out from Ngarri-dhum Falls
    Hike through Springbrook National Park to enjoy incredible views. (Credit: Reuben Nutt)

    You’d be forgiven for not being able to pull yourself away from the Gold Coast’s sparkling coastline, but just a 30-minute drive inland, the Hinterland spoils visitors with a lush landscape that brings an instant sense of calm.

    In the World Heritage-listed Lamington National Park, an ancient oasis of over 500 waterfalls and over 160 kilometres of bushwalking trails are waiting to be discovered, soundtracked by the calls of rare rainforest songbirds. And in the ancient Springbrook National Park, you can witness a dazzling light show from one of the largest glow worm colonies in the world. And walk beneath towering Antarctic Beech Trees.

    The Hinterland’s fertile volcanic soil and subtropical climate make it a growers’ paradise, and gourmands can relish the best of the region’s bounty at restaurants like Paddock at Beechmont Estate. This casual fine-dining destination offers a paddock-to-plate experience in the truest sense, with produce harvested onsite and sourced from local farms. It might also surprise you to learn that there are fabulous wineries in the region as well, including the must-visit Witches Falls Winery, which produces world-class wild-ferment drops.

    3. Taste the best of the dining scene

    Tarte Bakery & Cafe serving coffee, pastries and meals in the heart of Burleigh
    Treat yourself at Tarte Bakery & Cafe. (Credit: Jesse Lindemann)

    The culinary scene on the Gold Coast exceeds expectations thanks to its location and gastronomic talent. Ultra-fresh seafood, abundant hinterland produce and inventive brews star on menus, making it a haven for foodies.

    Start your day on a delicious note with the smell of fresh pastries and some of the best coffee in the city at Tarte Bakery & Cafe. Or sit in the classic Queenslander at Paddock Bakery to tuck into their elevated take on ‘egg and soldiers’, with toasted sourdough, organic labna, parsley and bacon bits.

    Rick Shores is a must-visit lunch or sunset dinner spot in Burleigh Heads, loved for its front-row vistas of the ocean and succulent Pan-Asian flavours – the Fried Moreton Bay Bug Roll with its delicate sweet meat and toasted brioche bun has a cult following. The team’s second venue, Norté, is another culinary triumph, serving Latin American bites in an ultra-sleek space.

    For a more relaxed affair, sit outside at the award-winning Burleigh Brewing Co and sip your way through a tasting padel of inventive lagers and ales while tapping your feet to live music.

    4. Recover with wellness & relaxation

    aerial view of upper valley pool at Eden Retreat on the gold coast
    Enjoy a total reset surrounded by rainforest at Eden Retreat.

    The Gold Coast knows a thing or two when it comes to pampering and relaxation, and those seeking some R&R or to banish their worries can do so at the multitude of bathhouses, day spas and secluded hinterland retreats peppered across the city.

    One of the most coveted spots to unwind and experience the tranquillity of Japanese bathing culture is at SOL Elements, Australia’s first floating bathhouse snuggled in the rainforests of Mt Tamborine. Also located in the hinterland is Eden Retreat, a luxury health retreat on a 400-acre property designed to reconnect you with nature via daily wellness classes and contemporary lodges overlooking the rainforest.

    Back in the city, Soak Bathhouse is a local favourite for contrast therapy with its open-air hot spas, mineral baths, cold plunges, cedar sauna and steam room. If a massage or facial is more your calling, book into Spa by JW at JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort and Spa. Let the professionals soothe overworked muscles and rejuvenate skin in a heavenly setting.

    And who could forget the city’s untamed side? Seek out natural swimming spots like the dreamy Araluen swimming hole hidden away in the Tallebudgera Valley, and the lower section of Currumbin Creek, a pristine tidal estuary with lagoon-like waters.

    Start planning the ultimate Gold Coast getaway, your way, at experiencegoldcoast.com.