Chris Morris expands deluxe tourism empire with Pelorus Private Island at $20,000 a night

The latest addition to the burgeoning tourism empire of rich lister Chris Morris is the $20,000-plus a night Pelorus Private Island in north Queensland, which opens later this month.

Pelorus boasts a naturally isolated residence featuring four luxurious suites, offering holiday-makers a secluded hideaway spread across 400 hectares of habitat.

He made his money from global registry business Computershare but these days rich lister Chris Morris is more intent on developing a tourism empire – this time it’s the $20,000-plus a night Pelorus Private Island in north Queensland, which opens later this month.

Billionaire Morris has ploughed $418m into his Northern Escape Collection of tourism assets, which so far comprises the five-star Orpheus Island Lodge and Mt Mulligan Lodge, a fleet of superyachts based out of Port Douglas, Nautilus Aviation helicopter services, The Ville Resort-Casino and a new luxury hotel Ardo, in Townsville, which opens later this month.

And he says despite the $20,000-plus a night he is charging at the four suite Pelorus Private Island, which is accessed via a 30-minute helicopter flight from Townsville or via a superyacht, he is finding it difficult to secure accommodation for himself ahead of its opening.

In a statement Mr Morris said he was looking forward to the launch of Pelorus, which is touted as the only private island residence in the region, and the potential it holds for the local tourism industry.

Pelorus Private Island guests can dive, snorkel, and jetski, as well as take boat charters.

Pelorus Private Island aligns with the growing consumer desire for ultra-luxe products that offer exclusivity by natural isolation, allowing guests to disconnect from modern life and reconnect in pristine nature.

“We are bringing something incredibly special to north Queensland. It is a rare offering on the Great Barrier Reef and the unparalleled levels of privacy and personalised service will attract a calibre of premium travellers not often seen in this part of the world,” he said.

“Meanwhile with Ardo, we’ve discovered that there is still a gap in the market for luxury accommodation in Townsville.”

Pelorus Private Island guests can dive, snorkel, and jetski, as well as take boat charters. The island also provides access to Hinchinbrook Island, Australia’s largest island national park, home to hiking trails, cascading waterfalls, abundant wildlife and diverse flora.

Chris Morris.

Mr Morris said his investment in north Queensland tourism infrastructure has created more than 1150 permanent jobs at Morris Group’s portfolio of tourism businesses.

According to Tourism and Events Queensland, the tourism industry provides more jobs for the state than agriculture, forestry, fishing or mining combined, with one in 15 Queenslanders working in the industry. In 2021-22, tourism was a $22bn industry for the state and

in the calendar year generated $82.4m a day in visitor expenditure across the state.

Located within the central waters of the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef and neighbouring Orpheus Island, Pelorus boasts a naturally isolated residence featuring four luxurious suites, offering holiday-makers a secluded hideaway spread across 400

hectares of habitat.

Meanwhile, the 132-room Ardo Hotel will feature high-end accommodation as well as

world-class dining at steak and seafood restaurant Marmor, a modern Japanese offering at Terasu, a luxurious day spa, and a rooftop pool deck featuring a panorama view across the

Coral Sea.

Originally published as Chris Morris expands deluxe tourism empire with Pelorus Private Island at $20,000 a night