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.
Noosa’s magic extends beyond the sun and sand. Uncover this popular region’s natural charms and secret spots to get more from your visit.
Wander through bushland and paperbark forests, linger on a curve of quiet beach, hit the water or hike up a mountain. Whether you’re seeking long languid lunches, savouring the region’s best food and wine, are ready to rejuvenate or are up for an active adventure, there are Noosa experiences for everyone.
Winter is the perfect time to visit – it’s still warm enough to bask in Queensland’s sunshine and mild temperatures while discovering the natural beauty and sustainable experiences that make this region so popular. It’s easy to see why Australian Traveller readers voted Noosa Australia’s top town to visit.
1. Explore the hinterland
Kayak through Noosa’s peaceful hinterland.
Choose your Noosa experience – kayaking, abseiling, rock climbing, camping or hiking – with Noosa-based Adventure Tribe. They host guided experiences throughout the region, including in Rainbow Beach, Cooloola and the stunning Noosa Everglades.
Small group tours with Joel’s Journeys combine hinterland villages with wine and cheese or chocolate tasting, a gourmet lunch, waterfalls, the Everglades and memorable views.
Plan ahead for the Great Noosa Trail Walk. This 56-kilometre three-day trek into the Noosa Biosphere will help you reconnect with nature over the October long weekend.
2. Accommodation to suit all budgets
Book into Elysium Noosa Resort. (Image: Elise Hassey)
Indulge in luxury at one of Noosa’s premium resorts or bring the family for a laidback beach-focused holiday. Anywhere you choose will mean you’re never far from the vacation vibes of Hastings Street.
The recently rebranded Elysium Noosa Resort has given new life to one of the most central spots in Noosa Heads, while Number One in Hastings Street offers a range of luxury one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and exclusive penthouse suites, surrounded by the national park and boutique shopping.
Families will love the space and pools of Mantra French Quarter Noosa. Over at RACV Noosa Resort, a water park and games room compete with the beach for the kids’ attention while adults indulge in the day spa or hit the tennis court or gym.
For couples, Noosa Blue Resort’s studios and one-bedroom suites have sweeping river, bay and hinterland views from its perch atop Noosa Hill. With two outdoor heated pools, spa, steam room, yoga studio and more, it’s the complete package.
Travelling on a budget? Halse Lodge offers heritage-listed colonial-style accommodation for backpackers and budget travellers without sacrificing style or comfort, and is just a few minutes’ walk from the beach. Family-friendly Ivory Palms has three pools, a children’s playground, jumping pillow, tennis courts and more.
3. Reset and rejuvenate
Unwind with spa treatments at Sensaura Day Spa.
Banish stress, slow down and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Noosa while indulging in pampering treatments. Reset and recalibrate with packages from one of the many day spas – try Sensaura Day Spa Noosa or Noosa Springs Spa.
Noosa Bespoke offers three thoughtfully designed packages that focus on wellness, active adventures and fresh local produce, all with a focus on sustainability, allowing guests to choose their own way of discovering Noosa.
For something different, try forest bathing and take a walk in Noosa National Park.
4. New dining experiences
Enjoy authentic Italian at Cibaria Noosa. (Image: Elise Hassey)
Stroll Hastings Street to find your own dining vibe. For authentic Italian, head to Cibaria Noosa for everything from a coffee and pastry to amazing pasta and seafood platters.
Over in Noosa Junction, try something lighter at Atelier Wine Bar. Taste a selection of bar food and platters including charcuterie, cheeses, oysters and more. Then finish off with ‘dessert in a glass’.
Order out or dine in at Somedays Pizza, where all the ingredients for the organic, wood-fired pizzas are sourced from local farmers, artisans and winemakers.
5. Where the locals eat
Enjoy waterfront views at Rickys. (Credit: Manuel Freudenmann)
Perennial favourites Bistro C, Season Restaurant Noosa and Sails are absolute beachfront dining options overlooking Laguna Bay. You can almost feel the sand between your toes as you enjoy some of the finest cuisine on offer.
Locale Noosa’s seasonal Italian menu features handmade pasta, traditional antipasti and delectable desserts. On the riverfront, Rickys River Bar and Restaurant has been luring the locals for years; come for the elegant setting and fabulous food and wine, and stay for the sunsets.
6. Spot humpback whales
Spot whales from May to October. (Credit: The Edit Suite)
There are plenty of great places to watch the gentle giants of the sea make their annual migration from Antarctica to the warm waters of the Queensland coast between May and October.
To see whales at play and teaching their calves to breach and tail slap, head to Hell’s Gates or Dolphin Point in Noosa National Park, or to one of the many vantage points along the coast from Sunshine Beach to Peregian Beach. For closer encounters, book a whale-watching boat tour.
7. Take a country drive
Sample craft spirits at local distilleries.
Download the Noosa Country Drive map from the Visit Noosa website, or pop into the visitor information centre for a printed copy, then jump in the car to explore craft breweries, gin distilleries, bookshops, country pubs, scenic lookouts and cute cafes.
Through the villages of Cooroy, Pomona, Eumundi, Cooran and Kin Kin, look out for local markets and galleries for that special souvenir. Want to stay longer? There are farm stays, boutique B&Bs and glamping tents to rest your head. Take time to go horse riding or mountain biking, ride a steam train or explore a small museum. And don’t forget to pick up some fresh produce from a roadside stall.
8. Explore the eastern beaches
Visit Sunshine Beach, just minutes from Noosa. (Credit: Amy Higg Photo)
Noosa’s near neighbour beaches, Peregian and Sunshine, are just a short drive south. Peregian Square has boutique shopping, vintage finds, homewares, day spas and antiques, and weekend markets are held twice a month in the beachside park.
Drop into the Peregian Beach Hotel for a meal and live music, or head to the Sunshine Beach Surf Life Saving Club for views of the patrolled beach. Grab a coffee or juice at plastic-free Sunshine Social and linger on the deck under the pandanus trees.
9. Discover the Noosa River
Discover Noosa from the water on a scenic boat trip.
Taking time out on the Noosa River is a serene way of exploring more of this region. Whether by canoe or kayak, a small boat or scenic boat trip, being on the water gives a new perspective on Noosa.
Head to Terrace Marina for small boats and great coffee, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks and jet skis to explore independently, or join Noosa River Cruise Co for a romantic gondola ride.
At sunset, board the Noosa Queen to cruise along the river – cool drink in hand – to the shores of Lake Cooroibah.
