DUNK ISLAND AUSTRALIA

Explore Dunk Island & THe Great Barrier Reef

Dunk Island Beach

BOOK DUNK ISLAND QLD HOLIDAYS

Welcome To
Dunk Island Australia

Your Home of Queensland Holidays and Tours

Experience the natural beauty and allure of Dunk Island Australia, a tropical paradise in Queensland, Australia. Nestled within the azure waters of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, this island offers the perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and fascinating history.

Discover Dunk Island transport options, explore the Dunk Island campground, and plan your unforgettable vacation today!

Explore the Family Islands

Experience the Great Barrier Reef

No visit to Dunk Island would be complete without a trip to the world-renowned Great Barrier Reef. Join a guided snorkelling or diving tour, or take a scenic flight over the reef for a bird’s-eye view of this natural wonder. Encounter colourful coral gardens, and diverse marine life, and soak in the breathtaking beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Travel FNQ

Dunk Island Transport

Reaching Dunk Island is simple, with multiple transport options available. The most popular choice is a water taxi from Mission Beach, just a 45-minute ride away. Alternatively, there are many Dunk Island transport options, such as charter boats and helicopter transfers can be arranged for a more exclusive experience.

Once you’ve settled in, don’t miss the opportunity to explore the nearby Family Islands, a group of continental islands offering unspoiled natural beauty, secluded beaches, and vibrant marine life. Take a day trip to Bedarra Island or Wheeler Island, and create unforgettable memories in this island paradise.

Book the Dunk Island Ferry

Effortless Book the Dunk Island Ferry Online

Simplicity at Your Fingertips: The Dunk Island Ferry offers easy online booking system takes the hassle out of planning. Secure your spot on one of our frequent ferries and get ready to explore the wonders of Dunk Island.

Tailored to Your Adventure: Choose from a variety of transport options, including the swift Dunk Island Ferry, the exclusive QuickCoast charters, or the friendly Mission Beach Water Taxi. Each offers a unique way to traverse the stunning waters of the Coral Sea.

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Your Perfect Queensland Holiday

Mission Beach Accommodation

Explore, relax, and rejuvenate in the stunning surroundings of Mission Beach and Dunk Island. With Mission Beach accommodation options to suit every preference, your dream tropical getaway is just a booking away. Visit our Accommodation Page to find out more and secure your perfect stay.

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Dunk Island Camping

Dunk Island Beach Camping

Discover Dunk Island Camping & Activities

The Dunk Island camping area, managed by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, provides beachfront camping sites with a range of basic facilities. Campers can enjoy access to a picnic area, barbecue facilities, and public toilets.

Please note that there are hot showers and fresh water available on the island, you may want to bring your own drinking water and camping shower equipment. Campfires are not permitted; however, portable gas stoves are allowed for cooking.

Dunk Island boasts an array of natural attractions and outdoor activities, catering to every type of traveller. Hike to the summit of Mt. Kootaloo for breathtaking panoramic views or explore the lush rainforest trails teeming with wildlife.

Soak up the sun on the picturesque beaches, or snorkel and dive in the surrounding coral reefs.

Two paths depart from the campsite and continue past the deserted resort, deeper into the Dunk Island rainforest. View Hike Map

Explore the underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef, teeming with colourful coral and marine life.

Paddle around the island's calm waters, a peaceful way to explore the coastline.

The island is a haven for bird enthusiasts, with numerous species calling it home.

Dunk Island Frequently Asked Questions

Experience the enchanting allure of Dunk Island, a pristine gem in Tropical North Queensland. Boasting a perfect blend of sandy beaches, rocky shores, and fringing coral reefs for snorkelling, Dunk Island offers an unforgettable island getaway. With a lush rainforest interior and scenic walking tracks, this island provides endless opportunities for adventure and relaxation.
  1. Hire a Car: You can find a range of car hire options to get you from Cairns to Mission Beach. Car Rental Options
  2. Book a Bus: Greyhound Australia and Mission Link run daily trips from Brisbane to Cairns, passing through Cardwell, Tully, Mission Beach, and Innisfail. There are more ticket choices from various national and local areas to Brisbane, with many choosing to continue their journey to Tropical North Queensland.
  3. Book a Train: Queensland Railways runs the Spirit of Queensland and the Tilt Train services up to Tully. From there, you can catch a bus to reach Mission Beach.

Mission Beach is the closest access point to the Great Barrier Reef on the mainland, being less than 40km offshore. It offers a quiet and uncrowded area of the reef. Book Transport

The Family Group of Islands, including Coombe, Wheeler, Dunk, and Bedarra Islands, are just a few kilometres off the coast from Mission Beach. They are easily accessible via water taxi or charter boat.

For the best Dunk Island experience, plan your visit between June and August. During these months, you'll enjoy stinger-free waters and consistently warm, predictable weather. The drier winter season offers temperatures ranging from 25-28 degrees Celsius, with water temperatures averaging around 23 degrees.

The area around Mission Beach is home to one of the highest concentrations of the endangered cassowary in Australia. These large flightless birds can be seen walking through fields, gardens, and even swimming across rivers.

The Cassowary Coast offers white-water rafting down the Tully River, skydiving over the reef and rainforest from Mission Beach, and an extensive network of mountain biking and hiking trails through the Wet Tropics rainforest. Book Tours

There are various accommodation options ranging from resorts like Castaways Resort and Spa to holiday houses, apartments, bed & breakfasts, and camping holiday parks. View Accommodation

From October to June, dangerous marine stingers, including box jellyfish, are found in the ocean off Mission Beach. It's advised to swim only within netted areas during this period.

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Mission Beach & Dunk Island Tours

View more great tours across the Cassowary Coast

Skydive Mission Beach

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Full-Day Tour | Dunk Island & Mission Beach

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Tully River Rafting

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Paronella Park Tour

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Mamu Tropical Skywalk

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Rainforest Tours

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The Rich History of Dunk Island

Dunk Island’s history dates back thousands of years as a home to the Bandjin Indigenous people, who named the island “Coonanglebah” or “The Island of Peace and Plenty”. European explorer Captain Cook renamed it Dunk Island in 1770 after the Earl of Halifax, George Montagu-Dunk.

Throughout the years, the island has changed hands multiple times. In the early 20th century, it became a popular tourist destination, with the first resort built by Captain Brassey. The island’s ownership changed several times, with major developments such as the Dunk Island Resort in 1995. The island sustained significant damage from Cyclone Yasi in 2011, resulting in the resort’s temporary closure.

Dunk Island was acquired by the Mayfair 101 investment group. The group aimed to transform the island into a premium tourism destination, with plans to invest over AUD$1.6 billion in the region. Mayfair 101’s vision included revitalising the existing Dunk Island Resort and developing luxury properties on the island and mainland Mission Beach.

In 2019, Mayfair 101 faced financial setbacks when the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) logged false and damning claims against the company. They proceeded with a legal case against Mayfair 101 and Director James Mawhinney. In 2022, Mayfair 101 and Mr Mawhinney won their appeal against ASIC. The judgement found fundamental denial of procedural fairness and ASIC was forced to pay for Mayfair 101 legal fees.

This resulted in Dunk Island being sold to Annie & Mike Cannon-Brookes.

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