Is this Tropical North Queensland’s most exciting new island stay?
The wait is over. Dunk Island has officially started welcoming overnight guests for the first time since Cyclone Yasi tore through it in 2011, with the launch of the new Beachfront Eco Tents in April marking a huge milestone in one of Queensland’s most anticipated island revivals.
Sitting just four kilometres off the coast of Mission Beach – the picturesque Cassowary Coast town roughly halfway between Cairns and Townsville – Dunk Island (known to the Djiru people as Coonanglebah, meaning “island of peace and plenty") has long held a special place in Australian travel lore. For over a decade, it has sat largely dormant, its former resort still a ruin. Now, the Dunk Island Group is carefully and intentionally bringing it back.
The Beachfront Eco Tents
The King Eco Tents are perfect for couples.
Families are accommodated for in the Queen Twin Eco Tents.
Single Twin Eco Tents are great for you and a friend.
Available from Wednesday to Sunday, the Beachfront Eco Tents are designed for guests who want the experience of sleeping on the island without fully roughing it. The tents come in three configurations: Single Twin, Queen Twin (two queen beds), and King. Each tent includes linen and towels, a lantern, a fan, a charging dock with a power outlet, and an esky stocked with ice.
It’s honest, well-considered comfort rather than ostentatious luxury. The tents are unpowered (the portable charging dock handles devices, fan and lights), there is no ensuite or air conditioning, and the shared amenities block handles bathroom needs, so guests who come expecting a five-star resort will need to recalibrate. Those who arrive in the spirit of the place will find it near-perfect.
The rest of the island experience
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The Dunk Island Restaurant is open 8am to 8pm.
Book a Bayside Campsite from $60 per night.
The ferry doesn't operate on Mondays and Tuesdays.
The Dunk Island Restaurant is open Wednesday to Sunday from 8am to 8pm, with a full cocktail bar and à la carte menus built around locally sourced ingredients. You can also hire beach umbrellas, sun lounges, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards.
Roughly 970 hectares of the island is national park. Four walking trails of varying difficulty wind through it, including the climb to the Mt Kootaloo lookout. Snorkelling is excellent at Muggy Muggy Beach and Coconut Beach, and for a full Great Barrier Reef experience, local tour operators can get you out to the Family Islands or Beaver Reef.
Getting there is newly straightforward. A twice-daily ferry service runs from Mission Beach from Wednesday to Sunday, with departure times of 8.45am and 12.30pm from the mainland. The return ferry service departs at 10.30am and 3.30pm.
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. Just note that the ferry doesn’t run on Mondays or Tuesdays, so plan your arrival and departure days accordingly.
One important seasonal note: swimming at the beach without a full-body stinger suit isn’t recommended from November to May, so the peak season window of June through October is the sweet spot for those who want to get in the water freely.
The bigger picture
Stand up paddleboard at Coconut Beach.
What’s happening on Dunk isn’t a flashy resort relaunch, and that’s exactly what makes it compelling. The Dunk Island Group has been deliberate about keeping accommodation numbers small to protect the island’s environment and ensure the atmosphere stays calm rather than crowded.
The development operates under a lease with the Cassowary Coast Regional Council and an Indigenous Land Use Agreement with the Djiru Traditional Owners, ensuring cultural and environmental stewardship sits at the centre of the island’s future.
“We are proud to be stepping into this new phase at Dunk Island, to further showcase the beauty of the region and invite guests to experience one of Queensland’s most extraordinary island environments in a low-impact way," Dunk Island Group owner, Annie Cannon-Brookes, said.
For Australians who grew up reading about Dunk Island or who visited in its resort heyday, like I did on a family holiday circa 2005-06, it’s a triumphant return. For a new generation of travellers discovering it fresh, it offers a Great Barrier Reef island stay that feels wild and relaxing.
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Details
TNQ’s only beachfront island glamping is now open.
Price: From $260 per night for the Single Twin Eco Tent, and from $311 per night for the Queen Twin and King Eco Tents.
When: Beachfront Eco Tents are available Wednesday to Sunday, with a two-night minimum stay.
Getting there: The ferry departs Mission Beach twice daily from Wednesday to Sunday. Return tickets cost $66.30 for adults or $41 for children. Families with two adults and two children can receive a 10 per cent discount.
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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.
Adventure and refined Luxury combine at the stunning Rangelands Outback Camp.
Iconic Australian red dirt, ancient rocky landscapes and bursts of greenery and wildflowers all make the small town of Winton, and its surrounds, a sight to behold. Escape the ordinary and unwind in the Queensland outback, where ancient landscapes and off-grid luxury await at Rangelands Outback Camp.
Unwind in the ancient outback.
About Rangelands Outback Camp
Unforgettable 360-degree views of this 95-million-year-old land await at Rangelands; bathed in style and positioned on top of a jump-up (or mesa), your tented camp seamlessly blends into its outback setting.
Set on the 53,935-square-kilometre Rangelands Station – a working cattle property – the abundant wildlife are your only neighbours; kangaroos, echidnas, eagles and other birdlife all call Rangelands home.
Bathed in style, your tented camp seamlessly blends into its outback setting. Indulge with carefully curated menus, personalised service and supersized luxury tents that guarantee a private experience. This exclusive camp only has a maximum of 12 guests at a time.
Here, the aim is pampering. From tasty menus to supersized tents with all the creature comforts, to a range of guided tours around the property and beyond.
Guests are transferred from Winton or Longreach by a dedicated Rangelands driver.
Soak in 360-degree views.
Rangelands Outback Camp tours
Join small-group tours and enjoy exclusive access to the ancient Rangelands Rifts with your Rangelands hosts. These incredible rock formations were formed by millions of years of erosion, leaving dramatic channels through the rock. Or explore the surrounds with Rangeland’s touring partner, Red Dirt Tours.
Get sunset birds-eye views over dramatic mesa country in a helicopter, from Queensland’s own Three Sisters to Corey’s Range, stopping at the best lookouts along the way.
Get up close and personal with this rugged land on four wheels, with expert drivers and guides leading guests through famous Bladensburg National Park, visiting Gondwana Stars Observatory and more.
The Winton area is famous for its boulder opals (the second-rarest opal in the world, after black opals), and a stop at the mining community of Opalton sheds a fascinating light on the unique fossicking method used to find them.
A trip to dinosaur country is a must, as this is the place that ramped up Australia’s dino contribution after a fossilised footprint was found in 1962; after more exploration, the discovery of 3300 footprints made it clear this was the world’s only evidence of a dinosaur stampede. Those same footprints are still on display today at Lark Quarry Conservation Park, a 90-minute drive from Winton. Also check out Australia’s largest collection of Australian Dinosaur fossils Australian Age of Dinosaurs, just 30 minutes from Winton. Here, join a tour through a working laboratory, dinosaur canyon and more.
A twice-daily transfer into downtown Winton is offered to guests, where they can explore the Royal Outdoor Theatre, opal shops, Waltzing Matilda Centre and more.
Have an exclusive adventure through the Rangeland Rifts. (Image: TEQ)
Sleeping in luxury
After a day of exploring, return to your tranquil tent for a blissful open shower and uninterrupted views from your private deck.
Designed to integrate guests into the surrounding nature, each tent feels like its own private haven. While being off-grid in the outback (in fact, each tent is powered by its own solar panels, with the added support of a backup generator), guests can also luxuriate in comfortable amenities like air conditioning, a supremely comfortable king-size bed and stylish designer touches.
Guests can stroll to the open-air Sunset Deck for breathtaking panoramic views, or to the main lounge and dining tent, where books, on-demand coffee and drinks make it the perfect place to relax after a day in the outback.
Enjoy plenty of space inside, and stunning views outside.
Rangelands Outback Camp dining
As the sun starts to dip below the horizon, gather for drinks and canapés on the expansive Sunset Deck, watching the sun drench the landscape in pinks and oranges as it sinks below the horizon.
Later, head to The Mahal lounge area and dining tent where mealtime magic happens. Savour a gourmet meal made fresh by Rangeland’s onsite chef. The meals use local produce to elevate classic outback dishes, and don’t worry, dietary requirements are happily accommodated.
Enjoy an open bar filled with an expansive hand-selected list of wines and premium beers, with wine pairings offered by Rangelands hosts come dinner time.
