DUNK ISLAND AUSTRALIA
Explore Dunk Island & THe Great Barrier Reef
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
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.
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.
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
- Hire a Car: You can find a range of car hire options to get you from Cairns to Mission Beach. Car Rental Options
- 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.
- 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.
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.
The Rich History of Dunk Island
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.
Cassowary Coast
