hero media

Australia’s first year-round beachfront cabana club opens soon

Eleanor Edström Eleanor Edström
One of Queensland’s most nostalgic island holiday destinations will soon welcome its first guests to the brand-new Tangalooma Dunes Cabana Club.

A scenic 75-minute ferry-hop from Brisbane, Moreton Island has been a quintessential beach getaway among Queenslanders for generations. This wedge-shaped isle (that claims the title of world’s third-largest sand island, after Queensland’s K’gari and North Stradbroke Island) has whales to watch, shipwrecks to snorkel and towering desert dunes to sandboard down. But for those who prefer to kick back and take it easy, a brand-new cabana club is poised to bring a fresh dose of laid-back comfort to the shoreline. 

A resort that’s been in the Aussie holiday game for more than 60 years, Tangalooma Island Resort has unveiled Tangalooma Dunes Cabana Club, a new beachfront venue created in partnership with Carnival Cruise Line. Available to cruise guests as well as those staying at or day-tripping with Tangalooma Island Resort, the 160-seater space provides front-row seats to the island’s biscuit-hued sand and pristine, mouthwash-blue shallows. 

For Carnival cruise guests, there’s not long left to wait, with the club available to book from 1 August 2026. For other guests, the precinct will open from early September.

What to expect at the Tangalooma Dunes Cabana Club

tangalooma cabana club
Tangalooma Dunes Cabana Club is arriving this spring for all guests.

Sandwiched between the resort’s pools and the beach, Tangalooma Dunes Cabana Club is made for slow, sun-soaked days. The precinct promises a relaxed, lounge-like atmosphere where guests can while away the hours socialising, sipping perfectly chilled beverages and flitting between shady comfort and the crystal-clear ocean waters. Expect ambient beats that carry along the breeze and very little reason to check the time. 

Twenty cabanas, each hosting up to eight people, provide private bases with direct beach access. Inside, you’ll find all the bells and whistles needed to settle in for the day.

Comfy lounge seating is arranged around a central table, and each cabana features its own fridge to keep food and beverages cool throughout the day. Along with adjustable shutters for privacy and fans to beat Queensland’s no-joke heat, guests are also provided with lockable storage, towels and charging ports (keeping your phone alive for those envy-inducing beach snaps is naturally a priority). 

tangalooma cabana club
Enjoy laid-back sipping, lazing and socialising in your private beachfront base.

The space has also been designed with accessibility in mind. Select cabanas feature wheelchair-accessible design, while beach wheelchairs are available to hire, making it easier for more guests to enjoy Tangalooma’s spectacular stretch of sand. Guests with disabilities can also join in water-based activities such as dolphin feeding.

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

AI Prompt

When does Tangalooma Dunes Cabana Club open?

The cabana club is scheduled to open exclusively to Carnival Cruise Line guests from 1 August 2026, with the wider public launch scheduled for September. 

How much does Tangalooma Dunes Cabana Club cost?

tangalooma cabana club
The 20 cabanas are south-facing.

For cruise guests, booking one of the cabanas at Tangalooma Dunes Cabana Club costs $399.99 for groups of up eight, for whole-day use. Food and beverage packages are available at an extra cost. Tangalooma Island Resort has not yet confirmed pricing for non-cruise day access.

Visitors can secure their spot through the Tangalooma booking portal, while cruise guests can book the experience directly through their cruise ship as an official shore excursion.  

The precinct will also be made available for exclusive hire or partial use, making it an ideal setting for private events and celebrations.

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.
Eleanor Edström
Eleanor Edström is Australian Traveller’s Associate Editor. Previously a staff writer at Signature Luxury Travel & Style and Vacations & Travel magazines, she's a curious wordsmith with a penchant for conservation, adventure, the arts and design. She discovered her knack for storytelling much earlier, however – penning mermaid sagas in glitter ink at age seven. Proof that her spelling has since improved, she holds an honours degree in English and philosophy, and a French diploma from the University of Sydney. Off duty, you’ll find her pirouetting between Pilates and ballet classes, or testing her friends’ patience with increasingly obscure vocabulary.
View profile and articles
Moreton Island tours
Moreton Island

11 of the best Moreton Island tours from Brisbane

Jump aboard the best Moreton Island tours to unwrap every inch of paradise just off the coast of Brisbane.

Read more
an aerial view of The Wrecks Campground, Moreton Island
Moreton Island

A comprehensive guide to camping on Moreton Island

Camping on Moreton Island provides a front-row seat to the majesty of Mother Nature.

Read more
lady elliot island
Brisbane

This Great Barrier Reef day trip is Brisbane’s best travel hack

You don’t need to stay on Lady Elliot Island overnight to experience the world-class snorkelling haven.

Read more
Howard Smith Wharves in Brisbane, Queensland
Brisbane

Howard Smith Wharves’ $500m glow-up includes a boutique hotel and over-river pool

Brisbane’s riverside hotspot is going bigger, bolder and better ahead of the 2032 Olympic Games.

Read more
hero media

Can’t handle the cold? Hamilton Island serves a slice of summer in winter

(Image: Hamilton Island)

    Eleanor Edström Eleanor Edström
    Continue
    When the winter chill settles in, an escape to Hamilton Island’s year-round tropical shores is the only acceptable coping mechanism.

    As a heliophile with the cold tolerance of a Mediterranean house cat, the arrival of winter tends to spark a particular panic. How will I survive? Must I really start layering? What do you mean, Aperol season is over? But there are far better ways to spend the cooler months than sulking in the depths of your doona.

    Enter, Hamilton Island. With its year-round sunshine and permanent on-holiday atmosphere, this Whitsundays favourite promises a veritable slice of summer in winter.

    Think salt-stiff hair and the smug pleasure of devouring seafood beside the water while friends back home are defogging their windscreens. Here’s why Hamilton Island should figure into your winter plans.

    1. Year-round summer weather

    A woman hiking along the Passage Peak trail on Hamilton Island.
    Hike under sunny winter skies on Hamilton Island. (Image: Andrew Caitens)

    In the crisper months, Hamilton Island offers perfectly mild, sunny weather (17-24°C) that lends itself to morning swims and afternoon spritzes. Better still, you can enjoy the island’s outdoor adventures – from hiking to mountain biking – without the humidity or rain you’ll often find in summertime. With direct flights from most major Australian cities offering ease of access, Hamilton Island is the ideal place to flee the cold.

    2. Getting active without the humidity

    A buggy parked overlooking Hamilton Island’s golf course, with sweeping views of the sea at Whitsundays in winter.
    Zip around Hamilton Island by buggy. (Image: Hamilton Island)

    Whether you’re hiking up to Passage Peak or exploring the island by buggy, tropical Queensland humidity is nobody’s friend. The one way to guarantee you will avoid the inevitable stickiness and fluffy hair? Visit during winter. There’s plenty to be enjoyed, from sunrise yoga at The Sundays (exclusive to guests of The Sundays) to playing golf on Dent Island.

    3. Hamilton Island Race Week

    Yachts racing across the sparkling Whitsundays during Hamilton Island Race Week.
    Feel the thrill of Hamilton Island Race Week. (Image: Salty Dingo)

    Taking place in August, Hamilton Island Race Week is a destination in its own right that attracts spectators and racers from around the globe. Boating enthusiasts and thrill-seeking holidaymakers flock to the island, which is palpably energetic as the first yachts set off for Dent Passage from Hamilton Island Yacht Club. The annual action-packed week, taking place from 15 to 22 August in 2026, offers an exciting calendar of on- and off-water events – spanning everything from celebrity chef dinners to golfing comps and wine tastings.

    4. Best time for snorkelling

    A woman snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters of the Great Barrier Reef.
    Explore Hamilton Island’s winter waters. (Image: Andrew Caitens)

    While the crowds on Hamilton Island may disperse with the cooler weather, the marine life certainly doesn’t. Winter is widely considered one of the best times to snorkel and dive in the Whitsundays.

    It’s down to a number of reasons: excellent water visibility, higher chances of seeing whales as they migrate north and – best of all – no nasty stingers. This means no need to wear those notoriously unflattering full-body wetsuits visitors have to wear in warmer months. On top of all this, you’ll find calm seas ideal for sailing and Great Barrier Reef tours.

    5. Fewer crowds

    People kayaking.
    Experience a quieter Hamilton Island on a kayaking adventure. (Image: Hamilton Island)

    Winter is often the quietest time to visit Hamilton Island, with the peak season crowds thinned to a relaxed trickle. You can snorkel or dive straight off the reef-laced waters of Catseye Beach, then swap fins for a buggy and zip between One Tree Hill, the marina and sunset cocktails without the usual summer queues. Active days stretch from kayaking, sailing and jet skiing to hopping over to famous Whitehaven Beach to witness those breathtaking white swirls of silica sand. You won’t have to elbow your way to the front of the crowd to get a good snap.

    6. Delicious dining

    The interiors of Bommie Restaurant, featuring modern coastal design with warm lighting and elegant detailing.
    Treat yourself to Bommie Restaurant’s fine dining featuring fresh, seasonal Aussie produce. (Image: Nikki To)

    The food on Hamilton Island tastes just as good any time of year, and winter is still perfect weather for sundowners. Start with an iced tea Negroni at harbourside Bommie Deck, before transitioning to Bommie Restaurant for a fine-dining feast centering on seasonal Aussie ingredients. Or perhaps enjoy a more casual poolside evening at Sails Restaurant, where plates of chermoula chicken skewers, baked cauliflower steak and crispy sumac squid come served with ocean views. From family-friendly pub meals to elevated wine tastings, there’s something for everyone.

    5. Clear skies for idyllic views

    The golden hour across the Whitsundays in winter.
    End your day with golden Hamilton Island sunsets over the water. (Image: Hamilton Island)

    Never let a cloud rain on the parade of Hamilton Island’s spectacular scenery. Winter brings clearer skies and more stable weather to the Whitsundays, meaning your picture-perfect sunset at One Tree Hill is likely to remain that way. And after putting in the legwork to hike to a scenic lookout, the last thing you want is a vista hidden behind low cloud and haze.

    To learn more about travelling to the Whitsundays in winter, visit hamitlonisland.com.au.

    Tangalooma Dunes Cabana Club opens soon on Moreton Island - Australian Traveller