Pumpkin Island in Queensland to reopen for tourists after end of XXXX Island promotion

THE island formerly known as XXXX is about to reopen as something very, very different.

14/03/2012 NEWS: Pumpkin Island Aerial Pic, to become a men's retreat called XXXX Island, 6ha island on the Southern Great B...

THE island formerly known as XXXX is set to unveil a new patch in paradise.

Pumpkin Island, once the sixth most expensive island in the world, is about to reopen as a boutique resort after a three-year lease by XXXX.

More than 10,000 people visited during the brewing company’s tenure, but owners Wayne and Laureth Rumble have spent the past three months converting the blokes’ fantasy retreat – just off the coast of Yeppoon – into a laid-back resort.

Pumpkin Island will cater to families and couples. Picture: Supplied

It will reopen at the end of the month with capacity for just 34 guests, in one of the Great Barrier Reef’s more intimate resorts.

Mr Rumble, whose family bought the island in 2003, said Pumpkin’s new target market would be couples and families.

“You can stand up on the hill and you’re surrounded by water, so it gives that sense of escape, especially if you book the island out,” he said.

Only 34 guests will stay on Pumpkin Island at one time. Picture: Supplied

Pumpkin was leased by XXXX in 2012 as an exclusive getaway for competition winners. And while Capricorn Enterprise chief executive Mary Carroll said the XXXX era had been good for the region, it was time for Pumpkin Island to find a new identity.

“XXXX brought 3500 people a year to the region who might otherwise not have come,” Ms Carroll said. “(But) it’s wonderful to have Pumpkin Island back online for everybody to enjoy.”