Dunk Island Restaurant has reopened for the 2026
The Dunk Island Restaurant has finally reopened for the 2026 season following its wet season closure and sand nourishment works in February. The restaurant is now operating its regular Wednesday to Sunday schedule.
Available for locals and visitors of Mission Beach and Dunk Island, to enjoy amazing food and drinks while taking in the beach front views.
Why was the Restaurant Closed?
The closure is partly seasonal, the wet season in Far North Queensland typically runs from November to April, and visitor numbers drop during this period. The other reason is practical: sand nourishment works are scheduled for mid-February 2026 to address erosion around the jetty.
Sand nourishment involves bringing in sand to rebuild the foreshore and protect the Spit from further erosion. Similar works were carried out in early 2025, with heavy machinery moving sand around the jetty area. During these works, the foreshore becomes a construction site and isn’t suitable for visitors.
The First Restaurant on Dunk Island in Over 14 Years
When the Dunk Island Restaurant first opened in July 2025, it marked the first permanent dining option on the island since Cyclone Yasi destroyed the old resort in February 2011. That’s more than 14 years without anywhere to buy a meal on Dunk Island.
The restaurant opened as part of the Dunk Island Group’s staged redevelopment of the Spit area. Owner Annie Cannon-Brookes described the opening as “the first part of broader plans to redevelop the island.”
General Manager Jason Blackburn acknowledged the scale of the work involved, stating at the time of opening that it was “just the beginning of broader revitalisation plans.”
Who Owns the Dunk Island Restaurant?
The restaurant is operated by the Dunk Island Group, owned by Annie Cannon-Brookes. She purchased the island’s 147-hectare freehold land in July 2022 for $23.65 million through a company called Green Seaweed 1.
The restaurant itself sits on Dunk Island Spit, land owned by Cassowary Coast Regional Council. In 2023, the council signed a 30-year lease with the Dunk Island Group, giving them control over the Spit area for development.
Annie Cannon-Brookes is ranked 12th on the 2025 Financial Review Rich List with a net worth of $12.18 billion, making her the second-richest woman in Australia behind mining magnate Gina Rinehart. Her wealth comes primarily from her stake in Atlassian, the software company co-founded by Mike Cannon-Brookes.
The Vision Behind the Redevelopment
Unlike previous owners who proposed large-scale resort developments, Annie Cannon-Brookes has taken a more measured, environmentally conscious approach.
When announcing the restaurant opening in 2025, she stated: “We are working hard to create a family-friendly destination that underpins the local tourism sector, preserves the natural environment and celebrates the island’s cultural significance. It’s a big task and wouldn’t be possible without the tremendous support we’ve received from the local community.”
The Dunk Island Group also acknowledges the island’s Indigenous heritage. Dunk Island is known as Coonanglebah in the Warrgamay and Dyirbal languages, meaning “Island of Peace and Plenty.” The Djiru People are the Traditional Custodians of the island.
Part of a Trend: Billionaires Buying Queensland Islands
Annie Cannon-Brookes joins a growing list of Australian billionaires investing in Queensland’s islands in recent years:
- Andrew Forrest’s Tattarang purchased Lizard Island near Cairns for $42 million
- Shayne Smith (Perle Ventures, Cover-More) bought Elysian Retreat on Long Island in the Whitsundays for approximately $8.75 million
- Glenn Piper purchased Hook Island in the Whitsundays for over $10 million
- Shaun and Samantha Juniper bought Lindeman Island for a reported $20 million with plans for a six-star health retreat
The post-COVID period saw a surge of interest in Queensland island properties as wealthy investors bet on the continued growth of domestic tourism and the return of international travellers.
What’s on the Menu?
The Dunk Island Restaurant serves casual, tropical-style food with a Mexican influence. The menu changes daily based on available produce, but typical options include:
Mains: Tacos, burritos, Mexican pizzas, fresh fish burgers, salad bowls
Sides: Nachos, guacamole, chilli garlic prawns
Desserts: Ice creams and sorbets
Drinks: Tropical cocktails, mocktails, wine, beer, smoothies, barista coffee
The kitchen uses locally sourced ingredients where possible. Kids’ meals are available.
It’s a cashless venue – you’ll need a card or phone payment.
Opening Hours
The Dunk Island Restaurant operates during the dry season (typically May to October/November):
- Days: Wednesday to Sunday
- Opening: 8am
Hours / days can change due to weather or operational reasons, so check the social media pages before visiting.
How to Get There
The Dunk Island Restaurant is only accessible by boat. The island sits 4km offshore from Mission Beach – about a 15-20 minute ferry ride.
Transport options:
Dunk Island is only accessible by boat. The island sits 4km offshore from Mission Beach – about a 10-minute ferry ride.
Ferry Services:
- Dunk Island Reef Adventures – Regular ferry service operating four to five times per week from Clump Point
Charters & Tours:
- Wildside Adventures – Full-day charters including snorkelling, guided walks and lunch
- Mission Beach Charters – Tailored snorkelling and camping trips
Boat Hire (self-drive):
- Mission Beach Boat Hire – Boats, jet skis and e-bikes
- Budget Boat Hire Mission Beach – Wave boats for fishing, swimming and snorkelling
- Kurrimine Boat Hire & Fishing Charters – 4.5m Polycraft boats seating up to 5
Other Options:
- Mission Helicopters – Scenic flights to the island
- Bedarra Water Transfers – Water taxi for guests heading to nearby Bedarra Island
Advance booking is recommended, particularly during peak seasons and school holidays.
What Else Can You Do on the Island?
Most visitors combine lunch with a few hours of exploring. The restaurant is located at the Spit, which has:
- The Sand Spit swimming area – a shallow sandbar with clear water
- The main jetty at Brammo Bay for swimming and snorkelling
- Walking tracks to Muggy Muggy Beach (20 minutes) or Mt Kootaloo summit (2–3 hours)
- Camping facilities nearby
What Else is Happening on Dunk Island?
The restaurant is just the first stage of planned developments. The Dunk Island Group has also announced plans for:
Glamping tents – Originally planned for early 2025, but delayed due to flooding and construction challenges. These would be Far North Queensland’s only island glamping experience.
Upgraded campsites – The existing campsites along the Brammo Bay foreshore have been upgraded with renovated shower and toilet facilities.
Improved amenities – General foreshore improvements and utility upgrades are ongoing.
Camping on the Spit is currently managed through Cassowary Coast Tourism: phone 07 4068 7099
