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Iconic Whitsundays island to reopen after a $583 million makeover

Eleanor EdströmBy Eleanor Edström
After more than a decade of closure, Lindeman Island is ready to reclaim its title as Queensland’s go-to holiday hot spot. 

The tides are turning in the Whitsundays. After more than 10 years of tropical time-out, Lindeman Island is gearing up for a dazzling comeback.  

A thriving tropical playground for Aussie families and international holidaymakers in the 1980s and ‘90s, the former Club Med paradise has remained dormant since closing its doors in 2012 following the devastation of Cyclone Yasi. Now, Lindeman Island is being revitalised as a redefined five-star resort that celebrates the Whitsundays’ natural beauty. We’re betting it may even give the nearby and ever-popular Hamilton Island a run for its money. 

The vision

lindeman island opening resort
Lindeman Island closed in 2012 after being struck by a cyclone.

Asia-Pacific hotel management company La Vie Hotels & Resorts – the team behind Hobart’s The Islington and 202 Elizabeth in Surry Hills, Sydney – has recently secured the management rights to the highly anticipated Queensland resort. The company will secure an international luxury brand for the island, which is expected to be announced in 2026. Also spearheading the multi-million-dollar redevelopment is Well Smart Group, a Singapore-based investment company that acquired Lindeman Island in 2023. 

Early plans tease a 200-room resort with nine additional suites, multiple dining concepts, a 50-metre jetty, a luxury spa and gym, alongside conference and wedding facilities. The island destination will also feature eco-friendly infrastructure and a solar farm.  

La Vie Chief Executive Officer, Jerry Xu, recognises the responsibility that comes with restoring a destination that holds such a special place in Australian tourism history.

“Lindeman Island is more than a tropical paradise – it is a cornerstone of Queensland’s tourism heritage. First developed for visitors in the 1920s, Lindeman became one of the earliest Whitsunday islands to offer accommodation, paving the way for Queensland’s rise as a global holiday destination," he comments.

What to expect

Lindeman Island new hotel bedroom
The new Lindeman Island resort will have 200 rooms and nine suites.

The hotel project aims to restore Lindeman Island to its former glory while embracing sustainability principles and an elevated, contemporary take on luxury. Phase one of the redevelopment is estimated to cost $40–50 million, part of a broader $583 million master plan.  

Key features of the Lindeman Island revival include:

  • A five-star hotel with 200 accommodation rooms and nine suites
  • Multiple restaurants and bars
  • A swimming pool
  • A luxury spa and gym
  • Conference and wedding/event spaces
  • Staff accommodation and eco-friendly infrastructure, including a solar farm
  • A new 50-metre jetty

The initial phase of the project is expected to be completed in 2026, with the resort planned to open shortly after. Plans for the master plan feature ecotourism facilities, including native vegetation restoration and renewable energy initiatives. 

A boost for Queensland tourism

new Lindeman Island resort
The first phase of the Lindeman Island redevelopment will cost $40–50 million.

Tourism and Events Queensland CEO, Craig Davidson, says the Lindeman Island transformation marks a significant step in reviving one of Australia’s most iconic island destinations.  

“Our distinctive, pristine islands have helped shape Queensland’s standing as a global tourism leader and we are excited to see the revitalisation of Lindeman Island which has always been an iconic part of Queensland’s tourism story," he says. 

“This important investment, breathing new life into Lindeman Island, will bolster Queensland’s international reputation as a world-class holiday destination providing an exceptional visitor experience." 

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.
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Discover the remote Queensland lodgings bringing luxury to the outback

    Australian TravellerBy Australian Traveller
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    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.

    cosy seats in 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.

    aerial shot of Rangelands Outback Camp tent
    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.

    tour being led through Rangeland rifts
    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.

    inside Rangelands Outback Camp bedroom
    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.

    Discover more and book your luxurious stay at rangelandscamp.com.