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
Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.
AI Prompt
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.
Weekly travel news, experiences insider tips, offers, and more.
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.
Want to see more stories from Australian Traveller in your Google search results?
Tick the box next to "Australian Traveller". That's it.
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.
There’s more to Australia’s Garden City than meets the eye.
With Victorian-era and traditional Queenslander buildings, an abundance of manicured gardens and the famous Carnival of Flowers painting the streets in vibrant colours each spring, Toowoomba is one of the most charming regional cities in Queensland Country.
While its beauty alone is reason enough to visit, there are lesser-known sides to Toowoomba that locals love most, from its burgeoning culinary scene to its artistic flair. Located just a 90-minute drive from Brisbane (or a direct flight from Sydney), it’s all too easy to discover on a long weekend away.
1. There’s an awesome local arts scene
Find incredible works of art around Toowoomba’s streets. (Credit: Nathan McNeil)
Australia’s second largest inland city is a flourishing arts and culture hub waiting to be discovered. Over 100 vibrant street art murals and graffiti works decorate the city, and they’re best viewed along Bank Lane and Searles Walk.
As a regional city, Toowoomba has direct access to incredibly fresh produce that’s shaping its culinary scene. At sunset, head to the verandah at Rosalie House Cellar Door Restaurant for a grazing-style dining experience and to discover Queensland’s underrated wine scene. Indulge in dishes such as Warilba lamb rump and roasted pumpkin with ginger-roasted potatoes and lime yoghurt, paired with their delicious cool-climate wines.
For a more relaxed affair, sweet tooths should make a beeline for award-winning The Baker’s Duck. Be sure to try their cult favourite strawberry cheesecake danish; you’ll learn why 35,000 of these treats are sold annually.
3. Small bars are doing big work
Pop into small bars like Uno Más.
Toowoomba doesn’t disappoint with fantastic pubs, but discerning drinkers can take happy hour to the next level at one of the city’s impressive small bars. Savour Spanish-style bites paired with a thoughtful line-up of wines at the newly opened Uno Más Tapas & Wine Bar. On Thursdays, head to Cork & Lever to tap your feet to live music over creative cocktails made with their all-Australian gin collection. And enjoy elevated toasties and premium drops at the cosy Press’d Coffee & Wine. Or try newly opened The Book Pour.
4. There’s no shortage of fabulous stays
Chill out in beautiful surrounds at Bunnyconnellen. (Credit: Salt Media)
Whether you prefer the buzz of the city centre or retreating to the hinterland, there are stylish stays aplenty to settle into in this idyllic corner of the world. Apartment-style living can be found at Quest Toowoomba; partly housed in a heritage church building in the city, it’s a comfortable and convenient base. And at The Arbour Boutique Apartments, spacious rooms are injected with old-world charm.
In the hinterland, enjoy bucolic bliss at the boutique Bunnyconnellen, where an 1880s farmhouse and self-contained cottage are backdropped by rolling hills. And at the secluded Ravensbourne Escape, one-bedroom studios, two-bedroom chalets and three-bedroom holiday homes overlook Ravensbourne National Park and the Brisbane and Lockyer Valleys.
5. It’s a nature-lovers paradise
Tackle Table Top Mountain. (Credit: Ariana Potamianakis)
Toowoomba is hugged by national parks, making it a haven for nature lovers. On its doorstep you’ll find the extinct volcanic peak Table Top Mountain, where keen hikers can tackle the challenging two-kilometre return trail which rewards them with 360° views of the Lockyer Valley and surrounds.
For a more gentle experience, Ravensbourne National Park offers peaceful walking trails within lush rainforest. It’s a top spot for bird watching as there are over 110 bird species that call the area home, including the paradise riflebird. Crows Nest National Park is home to platypus and koalas, and its refreshing natural swimming spots, like Kauyoo Pool, are a great place to beat the heat.
6. Wellness enthusiasts are well looked after
Toowoomba’s cool and calm energy lends itself to a wellness-focused getaway. Slated to open in August 2026, soak in the serenity at Vikasati Toowoomba, a bathhouse oasis with outdoor hot and cold magnesium pools, ice baths and Finnish saunas. Rest and recharge at City Cave Toowoomba, which offers float therapy, infrared sauna and massage services, or visit Kalm Springs for LED therapy, cryotherapy and float therapy.
7. It’s preserved its 19th-century charm
Learn all about the history of Cobb+Co.
History buffs can step back in time at Toowoomba’s fascinating cultural and historical museums.
Explore 50,000 years of Darling Downs and Toowoomba history at the Queensland Museum Cobb+Co; it’s known for its impressive National Carriage Collection of 47 restored horse-drawn vehicles, which were put to use for Queensland’s urban expansion. Visitors can also try their hand at blacksmithing or leadlighting in heritage workshops, refuelling with traditional scones at the onsite cafe.
Train enthusiasts can celebrate the golden era of rail travel on a heritage steam locomotive thanks to the volunteer-driven, community-led organisation DownsSteam Toowoomba. Vintage train rides range from a two-hour journey between Toowoomba Station and DownsSteam Railway Museum to an overnight adventure from Toowoomba to the Southern Downs and Granite Belt
8. There are vintage gems waiting to be found
Whether it’s to pick up a unique piece for your home or a one-of-a-kind accessory for a loved one, you’re guaranteed to find something special in one of Toowoomba’s antique and vintage stores. Range Antiques sells everything from furniture, rugs and lamps to fine porcelain, jewellery and art, while Toowoomba Antiques & Collectables is a treasure trove of Art Deco, farmhouse, retro and mid-century modern pieces.
