Dunk Island spit, glamping holidays to open in ‘early 2025’, GM reveals

Glamping on the stunning Dunk Island spit will soon be a holiday option for those looking to soak up some sun and relax by the beach in tropical Far North Queensland.

The beach sandbar, known as the spit, on the western end of Dunk Island. Picture: Dunk Island Group

Far Northerners will need to remain patient in the wait for Dunk Island’s reopening, as the newly-appointed general manager reveals his first update.

The iconic tourism destination offers walking trails, campgrounds and a beach spit with opportunities for bars, cafes and watersports.

A private resort which was ravaged by Cyclone Yasi in 2011 is also located on the island and has traded hands multiple times.

In July 2022, Annie Cannon-Brookes’ Dunk Island Group became the latest acquirer of what was once a luxury accommodation offering and in June 2023, also won the tender for a 30-year lease on the publicly-owned spit – an iconic sandbar on the island’s western tip.

The public was then given its first hint of what was to come under the new lessee in October 2023, with then-general manger of Dunk Island Group Joshua Childs revealing plans of preparing the spit for glamping with an expected reopening of December that year.

A pop up bar with a view of the jetty which had began trading on Dunk Island in mid 2023. Picture: Dunk Island Adventures

But this time frame was later revised to December 2024 – and now, “early 2025.”

New general manager of the Dunk Island Spit Jason Blackburn reported he was “pleased to reveal that construction of a new cafe and bar is past the halfway mark and, weather dependent, due for completion soon.”

“This will pave the way towards opening of Dunk Island spit into full operation early 2025, offering the only island glamping experience in Far North Queensland and a destination that caters for both tourism and local community visitation,” Mr Blackburn said.

“At this stage we’re unable to offer an exact open date as we have further site works yet to be undertaken including sand replenishment to restore the jetty side beachfront, power upgrades and landscaping. This work is in addition to a full upgrade of the public amenities which has already been completed.”

The former pop-up bar at Dunk Island, and construction of the permanent beachside venue happening in the background.

“We’ll launch our new glamping tents, alongside the existing four traditional campsites set along the jetty side foreshore.

“We thank the Cassowary Coast community for their patience and support as we’ve worked toward regenerating this much loved destination to the benefit of the local community as well as the regional tourism economy.”

The update was welcomed by Cassowary Coast Tourism executive officer Patrick Bluett who said he had been flooded with inquiries about the works on the island.

“Early indications are very promising for this significant step forward in the regeneration of Dunk Island,” Mr Bluett said.

Cassowary Coast Tourism executive officer Patrick Bluett. Picture: Arun Singh Mann

“We know that the local community is very keen to see the spit open for business, but that pales in comparison to the keen interest I’m receiving from the international tourism community.

“During a recent sales and marketing trip through the UK and Europe I was flooded with inquiries about plans for Dunk Island. This adds to our captured domestic audience who will certainly seek to experience he spit for a day trip if not overnight stay when passing through the Cassowary Coast.

“We’ve waited so long to have Dunk Island open for business again, and early indications are that this will be well and truly worth the wait.”

Originally published as Dunk Island spit, glamping holidays to open in ‘early 2025’, GM reveals