Dunk Island Reopening 2026: What’s New & What to Book
Quick Answer: Is Dunk Island Open in 2026?
Dunk Island is back. For the first time since Cyclone Yasi in 2011, overnight guests can stay on Dunk Island — though not in the former resort.
The 2026 reopening centres on The Sand Spit campground, featuring new Beachfront Eco Tents, a waterfront restaurant and a scheduled ferry service running Wednesday to Sunday from Mission Beach.
Here’s what you need to know for a 2026 visit:
- Ferry: The official Dunk Island Ferry operates twice daily, Wednesday to Sunday, departing from Mission Beach.
- Eco Tents: Fully furnished Beachfront Eco Tents available Wednesday to Sunday.
- Campsites: Six Bayside Campsites open year-round (BYO setup). See our Dunk Island camping guide.
- Restaurant: The Dunk Island Restaurant trades Wednesday to Sunday.
- Day trips: Available every day the ferry runs.
- Resort: The original resort remains closed — no rebuild date has been announced.
- Aerodrome: Currently closed to all traffic.
The Dunk Island Story: From Yasi to Today
Understanding the 2026 reopening requires knowing what happened in the 15 years before it.
3 February 2011. Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi made landfall at Mission Beach as a Category 5 system. Dunk Island Resort suffered catastrophic damage. Buildings, infrastructure and vegetation were destroyed. The resort closed permanently.
2011 to 2021. Multiple ownership changes and stalled redevelopment proposals followed. Dunk Island remained accessible as a National Park destination, but no overnight tourism operation existed.
2022 to 2025. Annie Cannon-Brookes purchased the Dunk Island resort lease. Dunk Island Group was formed to manage operations, including the Council-owned campground at The Spit. Restoration work began — power, water, sewage and communications were brought back online. A new beachfront restaurant was constructed.
1 April 2026. Overnight accommodation launched with the Beachfront Eco Tents. The jetty-side restaurant opened alongside the official Dunk Island Ferry service. After 15 years, Dunk Island became a working tourism destination again.
The team running Dunk Island today is based on the island. The approach is measured rather than ambitious — a staged reopening designed to be sustainable over the long term.
What’s Open Now (April 2026 Onwards)
Here’s what’s currently operating, listed in the order you’ll most likely use them.
The official Dunk Island Ferry
The Dunk Island Ferry runs twice daily from Mission Beach to Dunk Island, Wednesday to Sunday. The crossing takes approximately 20 minutes. The vessel has been purpose-built for the route, with capacity matched to overnight and day-visitor numbers.
Tickets are available for adults, children and pensioners — check current pricing when booking as fares may vary seasonally. A complimentary shuttle bus runs from Mission Beach accommodation to Clump Point boat ramp for guests without a vehicle.
For a full breakdown of ferry times, tour options and tips, see our guide to the Dunk Island Ferry from Mission Beach.
Beachfront Eco Tents
The Beachfront Eco Tents are the centrepiece of the 2026 accommodation offering. Set back from the beach at the edge of the rainforest, each tent comes with linen, furnishings and a private deck.
Eco Tents operate Wednesday to Sunday from 1 April onwards. Monday and Tuesday are deliberately kept as quiet days — allowing the team to reset and giving the island a brief rest each week.
Several tent configurations are available to suit couples and small families. For booking details, see Stay on Dunk Island.
Bayside Campsites
Six Bayside Campsites are open year-round for those who prefer a traditional camping experience. Bring your own tent and bedding. Shared amenities include toilets, cold showers, a sheltered cooking area and drinking water.
Generators and open fires are not permitted in order to protect the environment. This is genuine camping within the Family Islands National Park — not glamping.
For those who want to camp without the packing, pre-set campsites are available complete with tent, optional bedding, fishing gear and catering packs.
If you’ve camped on Dunk Island before, the experience remains true to form. If you haven’t, expect dark nights, easterly trade winds and the sounds of surf and rainforest. For full details, see our Dunk Island camping guide.
The new Dunk Island restaurant
The Dunk Island Restaurant sits at the jetty end of the beach. It serves day visitors arriving on the ferry and provides casual lunch and dinner service for overnight guests. The menu reflects the Cassowary Coast — relaxed and deliberately unpretentious.
The restaurant trades Wednesday to Sunday, matching the ferry schedule, with dinner available by reservation.
BBQ and picnic area
A communal BBQ and picnic area near the beach is available for campers and day visitors. Free electric BBQs and bins are provided. Leave-no-trace principles apply — take your rubbish with you.
Walking trails and wildlife
All major walking tracks are open and signposted: Mt Kootaloo summit, the Island Circuit, Coconut Beach and Muggy Muggy Beach. For more on what to see and do, visit Things to do around Dunk Island & Mission Beach.
What’s Coming Next
The 2026 reopening is the first stage. Future developments will be announced as they’re confirmed — but for now, the focus is on delivering a quality experience with what’s already operating.
How to Visit Dunk Island in 2026
There are three practical ways to experience Dunk Island this year.
Day trip from Mission Beach
Catch the morning ferry, walk to the Mt Kootaloo summit (7km return, two to three hours) or take the easier Muggy Muggy circuit, have lunch at the restaurant, swim, and return on the afternoon crossing. Available Wednesday to Sunday from April onwards. Best conditions from May to October.
Beachfront Eco Tent stay on Dunk Island
Book Wednesday to Sunday nights from April onwards. Two to three nights is ideal — long enough to decompress, short enough to stay refreshed. See Stay on Dunk Island.
Dunk Island Beach Camping
Book a campsite, bring your gear, and stay any time of year. More affordable, more rustic, and the preferred option for many returning visitors. See Dunk Island Camping.
The best time to visit is May to October — dry season, calm conditions, and the clearest water.
Respecting the Island as it Returns
Dunk Island lies within the Family Islands National Park. The surrounding rainforest at Mission Beach is among the most ecologically significant landscapes in Australia. A few principles guide how the island operates and how visitors are expected to behave:
Traditional ownership. Dunk Island is known as Coonanglebah — “Island of Peace and Plenty” — to the Djiru People. The Djiru are the Traditional Custodians of the land and sea, and the island operates with respect for that custodianship.
National Park rules apply. No dogs or domestic animals. No drones without permits. No collecting shells, coral, sand or plant material. Stay on marked tracks.
Cassowaries are protected. You won’t see cassowaries on Dunk Island itself, but they’re common on the Mission Beach mainland. Give them space, never feed them, and drive slowly.
Leave no trace. Pack out everything you bring in. Use the bins provided.
This is a recovering ecosystem on a small island with limited capacity. Tread lightly so it can thrive for those who come after you.
FAQs
Is Dunk Island open in 2026?
Yes. Dunk Island is open for day trips, Beachfront Eco Tent stays and year-round Bayside Camping. The official ferry operates Wednesday to Sunday from Mission Beach.
When did Dunk Island reopen?
Dunk Island officially reopened to overnight guests on 1 April 2026 with the launch of the Beachfront Eco Tents, jetty-side restaurant and Dunk Island Ferry.
Who owns Dunk Island now?
Dunk Island Group is owned by Annie Cannon-Brookes. The island resort was acquired in 2022, followed by a 30-year lease with Cassowary Coast Regional Council to develop and operate The Spit.
Is the Dunk Island resort open again?
No. The pre-2011 Dunk Island Resort has not been rebuilt and no public timeline has been announced. The 2026 reopening focuses on low-impact experiences: Beachfront Eco Tents, Bayside Campsites and the Dunk Island Restaurant.
How do you get to Dunk Island in 2026?
Via the official Dunk Island Ferry from Mission Beach. The crossing takes around 20 minutes. The aerodrome is currently closed, so air access is not available.
Can you stay overnight on Dunk Island?
Yes. Overnight stays are available in Beachfront Eco Tents (Wednesday to Sunday from April) or at one of the six Bayside Campsites (year-round, BYO setup or pre-set options available).
What happened to Dunk Island after Cyclone Yasi?
Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi crossed the coast on 3 February 2011, destroying the Dunk Island Resort. The island closed to overnight tourism. After multiple ownership changes, Annie Cannon-Brookes acquired the resort lease in 2022 and commenced a staged restoration. The 2026 reopening marks the return of Dunk Island as a tourism destination.
Is there a restaurant on Dunk Island?
Yes. The Dunk Island Restaurant is open Wednesday to Sunday, serving day visitors and overnight guests.
What tours are available from Mission Beach?
A range of tours and activities depart from Mission Beach, including reef snorkelling, Dunk Island day trips, Tully River white water rafting, skydiving and rainforest experiences.
Where can I stay in Mission Beach?
Mission Beach offers a variety of accommodation options including resorts, holiday apartments, bed and breakfasts, and caravan parks.
Where can I eat in Mission Beach?
See our guide to the best Mission Beach restaurants for local dining options.
Plan a Visit
Ready to experience Dunk Island? Start by booking your ferry crossing from Mission Beach, then choose between a day trip, Beachfront Eco Tent stay or Bayside Campsite.
For group enquiries — small weddings, retreats or corporate events — see Group Events on Dunk Island.
After 15 years, Dunk Island is back. The island is ready for visitors again.
