After years of neglect, Double Island is preparing for a fresh new chapter.

Once a holiday hotspot for Hollywood stars, Double Island has sat abandoned off the coast of Queensland for over a decade now – but that’s all about to change. With a new leaseholder secured, plans for a $40 million transformation are officially underway.

What happened to Double Island?

In its heyday, Double Island ranked among Australia’s most exclusive island escapes. Roughly 30 kilometres off the coast of Cairns, its first lease was acquired in 1978 by a small group of local families, who sold the island in the late 1980s to a wealthy couple from Perth.

After almost 20 years as a private family retreat, its next sale in 1997 marked a turning point that would see the island transformed into an exclusive resort. The years that followed would become its most successful, welcoming celebrities like Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston.

Despite changing hands several times over the decades, the resort was maintained by its various operators until 2012, when Fortune Island Holdings took over the lease from previous owner Sean Howard.

The company’s owner, Benny Wu, said he intended to maintain Double Island as a luxury tourism destination. However, the resort did not reopen and the island’s facilities deteriorated over the following years.

After ongoing concerns about compliance with the lease conditions, the Queensland Government began legal proceedings against Fortune Island Holdings in 2023. In 2024, the lease was forfeited following a Land Court ruling, with the state resuming management of the island and beginning plans for its future redevelopment.

The goal? Find a leaseholder with the financial resources and expertise to bring Double Island back to life. And now, major Australian tourism and hospitality brand the Morris Group has been entrusted to do just that.

A fresh start for Double Island

It’s not the first time we’ve seen an Aussie island comeback. Earlier this year, Swell Lodge off WA’s coast was reopened following a change in ownership and resort-wide revamp.

But for Queenslanders, the revitalisation of Double Island represents more than just a makeover. It marks the long-awaited return of a beloved Australian icon.

With an impressive portfolio, the Morris Group are well placed to lead the island’s revival. From the construction of five-star Townsville resort Ardo to the recent renovation of Orpheus Island Lodge’s northern suites and villas, the brand has a successful track record.

“We see a lot of potential to create something really special on Double Island by borrowing inspiration from what we’ve already done successfully elsewhere in the region," says founder Chris Morris.

“Double Island is an iconic landmark of the Cairns northern beaches, and we wanted to make sure that whatever we came up with was something that the community could be really proud of."

Delivered in four stages, the redevelopment will tackle public access infrastructure first, with a new helipad and private jetty. Leveraging its existing tourism footprint, the Morris Group will also draw on its own Nautilus Aviation fleet and three Cairns-based superyachts to transport guests.

Focus will then shift to the resort itself, which will include a sunset bar, 100-seat restaurant, gym, pool, day spa and 24 luxury villas across six beachfront lodges. Among the island’s hills, there will also be a series of walking trails for guests to enjoy.

“The addition of Double Island Lodge will elevate the whole experience and provide a level of luxury accommodation that doesn’t currently exist in the area, while our boutique restaurant and event spaces will be the final piece in the puzzle to create another iconic Queensland tourism experience," says Morris.

While a completion date is yet to be confirmed, Morris says the company is eager to get the ball rolling as soon as possible. “Site clearing and construction for the project is due to commence in 2026, pending final development approvals."