Dunk Island Christmas 2025
Festive Season Guide: Holiday Trading Hours, Boxing Day & What You Need to Know
Your Complete Guide to Visiting Dunk Island This Holiday Season
As 2025 draws to a close, Dunk Island is gearing up to welcome visitors over the festive season with special Boxing Day events, extended trading hours, and the possibility of a dedicated ferry service for those without boats. Here’s everything you need to know about visiting this tropical paradise during Christmas and New Year.
Christmas Day Closure
Dunk Island Beach Club will be closed on Christmas Day (25 December 2025).
Normal camping operations continue throughout the holiday period for those already on the island.
Boxing Day at Dunk Island 2025
Boxing Day Trading
Opens: 10am Thursday 26 December 2025
Special Boxing Day Ferry Service (EOI)
Don’t have a boat? No problem.
Dunk Island Group is exploring a dedicated Boxing Day ferry service for visitors who want to join the festivities without their own vessel.
Boxing Day Ferry EOI — Closes 22 December!
Dunk Island Group are potentially offering Boxing Day Ferry Packages (TBD)
| Package | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Adult Return Ferry + Lunch | $109 | Return ferry, choice from special event menu or Beach Shack Gourmet Hot Dogs (drinks not included) |
| Child (2-12 years) Return Ferry + Lunch | $69 | Return ferry, choice from special event menu or Beach Shack Gourmet Hot Dogs (drinks not included) |
Ferry Schedule — Boxing Day
- 10:00am — Ferry departs Clump Point (Mission Beach) for Dunk Island
- 3:00pm — Ferry returns from Dunk Island to Clump Point
Important EOI Information
Minimum 40 people required to trigger this service.
EOI closes: 7:00am Monday 22 December 2025
Each participant will receive an email from the Dunk Island Group on Monday morning confirming whether the service will proceed. If expressions of interest exceed ferry capacity, tickets will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Register your Expression of Interest here
January 2025 Trading Hours
Dunk Island Beach Club will operate on its regular summer schedule:
Trading Days: Thursday to Sunday
Hours: 11am – 4pm
New Year’s Day: Open Thursday 1 January (public holiday)
This means visitors can enjoy island time every weekend through January, with the New Year’s Day public holiday falling conveniently on the regular Thursday trading day.
Camping Over Christmas and New Year
Good news for campers—Dunk Island campsites remain open 7 days throughout the year. Check with Cassowary Coast Tourism for any changes.
Camping Bookings and Transfers
For camping bookings and transfer enquiries during the holiday period, contact:
- Phone: 07 4068 7099
- In person: 55 Porter Promenade, Mission Beach QLD 4852
The camping area on Dunk Island Spit offers a unique opportunity to wake up on a tropical island on Christmas morning, New Year’s Day, or any day in between.
Getting to Dunk Island
Regular Ferry Services
Departure Point
Most ferries depart from Clump Point Boat Ramp, Mission Beach.
Getting to Clump Point:
- 5 minutes drive from Mission Beach village
- 30 minutes walk from Mission Beach Visitor Centre
- Free parking available (limited spaces—arrive early during peak periods)
For Boat Owners
Contact Queensland Parks for more information about anchorage on Dunk Island.
What to Do on Dunk Island
Whether you’re visiting for the day or camping overnight, Dunk Island offers plenty to keep you busy.
Beaches and Swimming
- The Spit — Picturesque sand bar with crystal-clear turquoise water, perfect for families
- Muggy Muggy Beach — Secluded beach ideal for swimming and snorkelling (20-minute walk from main area)
- Brammo Bay — Main beach area near the jetty, great for jumping and swimming
Walking Trails
- Mount Kootaloo Circuit — 7km return, 3-4 hours, spectacular panoramic views from the island’s highest point
- Muggy Muggy Beach Track — 20 minutes each way, easy access to secluded swimming
- Palm Valley Track — Part of the island circuit, passes through beautiful palm forest
Trail Advisory: Some walking trails may be affected by recent weather. Check the latest updates on QLD Park Alerts before you go.
Dining at the Beach Club
When the Beach Club is open (menu is subject to change by Dunk Island Group)
- Fresh, locally-sourced dishes with daily-changing specials
- Mexican-inspired options including tacos, burritos, and Mexican pizzas
- Fresh fish burgers and salad bowls
- Tropical cocktails, wine, beer, and barista coffee
- Kids’ meals available
Note: The Beach Club is a cashless venue.
Planning Your Visit
What to Bring
- Sun protection — hat, reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses
- Water — stay hydrated in the tropical heat
- Sturdy footwear — for walking trails
- Swimwear and towel
- Snorkelling gear — if you have your own
- Camera — the views are spectacular
- Cash-free payment — Beach Club is cashless
Safety Tips
- Marine stingers: Box jellyfish are present from October to June. Swim in designated areas and consider wearing a stinger suit
- Walking trails: Surfaces can be loose, slippery and uneven, especially in wet conditions
- Heat: Walk in the cooler parts of the day and always carry water
- Wildlife: Respect the island’s flora and fauna—this is a national park
Best Time to Visit
The dry season (May-October) offers the most reliable weather, but the festive season falls in the wet season (November-April). Expect warm temperatures with the possibility of afternoon showers. The upside? Fewer crowds and lush, green landscapes.
Key Dates at a Glance
| Date | What’s Happening |
|---|---|
| Monday 22 December | Boxing Day Ferry EOI closes at 7am |
| Wednesday 25 December | Beach Club CLOSED (Christmas Day) |
| Thursday 26 December | Boxing Day — Beach Club opens 10am, special events, potential ferry service |
| Friday 27 December | Beach Club open |
| Saturday 28 December | Beach Club open |
| Wednesday 1 January | New Year’s Day — Beach Club open (public holiday) |
| January onwards | Thursday to Sunday, 11am – 4pm |
Contact Information
Dunk Island Group
- Email: info@dunkislandcamp.com.au
Camping Bookings & Transfers
- Cassowary Coast Tourism: 07 4068 7099
- Mission Beach Visitor Information Centre
What makes Dunk Island special?
Dunk Island (known as Coonanglebah, often translated as “Island of Peace and Plenty”) sits around 4 km off Mission Beach in the Cassowary Coast Region.
It’s the largest island in the Family Islands group, with lush rainforest, eucalypt forest, mangroves and fringing reef teeming with marine life.
A few reasons travellers love Dunk Island:
- Easy access: It feels remote, but it’s only a short boat ride from Mission Beach – see ferry and day-trip options on Dunk Island Adventures.
- National park experience: Walking trails, birdlife and lookouts without needing a live-aboard or long transfers, highlighted by Dunk Island & Mission Beach activities guide.
- Beachfront camping on the spit: Nine national-park campsites right beside the sand at the Dunk Island camping area described by our Camping Guide.
- Laid-back vibe: No big resort crowds – just swimmers, hikers, paddlers and campers enjoying nature.
- Gateway to Cassowary Coast: Combine your island time with rainforest walks, waterfalls and coastal villages around Mission Beach and the wider Cassowary Coast. You’ll find regional inspiration on Tropical North Queensland’s Dunk Island listing and Queensland.com’s destination page.
