Dunk Island Destination Information

Dunk Island lies 4 kms off the east coast of Queensland, opposite the little town of Mission Beach and is the largest member of the Family Islands. It was named by Captain Cook for his boss, Admiral Dunk, as he sailed by in 1770. Regular flights are available from all major Australian capital cities to Dunk Island via Cairns and transfers from Mission beach leave regularly.

Dunk Island is the usual tropical cocktail of white sandy beaches, great resort facilities, a wonderful climate and glassy seas, but there are a few other parts that make Dunk Island really special.

With three quarters of the island designated as a National Park, the dense rain-forest is home to a huge variety of native flora and fauna, including 150 species of birds, and the beautiful electric blue Ulysses butterfly (the island's famous symbol). It has a wingspan of up to 10 centimetres, making it one of the largest butterflies in Australia, and definitely the most beautiful. The amazing flora and fauna on land and sea is easily accessible and just waiting to be explored by holidaymakers.

Dunk Island is also home to a small community of artists who live, work and show case their work on a property on the southern side of the island. The Colony was established in 1974 by former Olympic wrestler Bruce Arthur and you can visit the colony to inspect works in progress.

It's a great place to holiday if you like the idea of lazing around on a tropical Island, but in truth you'd rather be trying new experiences and getting some exercise. Options are endless play on the Paddleboats and catamarans, have a hit of tennis, go water skiing, visit the gym, take a mountain bike tour, explore the reef - or maybe just find a palm tree to lean up against and finish that novel you've been reading..... there is no rush on Dunk Island.

Don't forget to....

Ride off into the sunset - Dunk Island offers sunset horse riding on the beach. Canter up and down the sand while looking out on the clearest waters.

Put a spring in your step - Start the day with a rainforest walk and take in the spectacular views from the summit of Mt Kootaloo.

Hit the tees - Dunk Island boasts its own 9 hole golf course. With boardwalks through dense rainforest, it offers spectacular views of the Family Islands and the mainland. Making clever use of Dunk Island's natural topography, the golf course was created without major earthworks or extensive planting of imported grasses.

Lose the kids - well, pack them off for a few hours to the kids club. Under the watchful eye of Dunk's professional staff, the kids enjoy a range of activities during morning and evening sessions. They can join a treasure hunt, nature arts and crafts, take a rainforest discovery walk, try turtle spotting, visit Dunk's own farm and the list goes on. In the evening, there are disco parties, stargazing, night walks, movies, night games and more. The Kids Club even caters for the kids at dinner time. In fact, the kids will be having so much fun, parents can simply disappear.

Indulge in a spa package - Dunk Island boasts a unique spa that offers a range of massage, hot stone and beauty therapies to relax and revive. Set in the rainforest, it's the only spa where you can watch Ulysses butterflies and dragonflies flutter through the tree while you are pampered.