Computershare billionaire Chris Morris wants to revamp iconic island

The crestfallen tropical island resort that sits off Palm Cove could be overhauled as the Queensland government calls for a new operator.

Double Island off Palm Cove. Picture: Emily Barker

The Queensland government has made its first move to start rehabilitating some of the state’s crestfallen tropical island resorts calling for operators to revive Double Island off Palm Cove after nearly ten years of decline.

Double Island has been long abandoned under the stewardship of Chinese billionaire Benny Wu who purchased the leasehold for $5.68m in 2013 leaving it vacant and dilapidated.

“The tourism lease on Double Island was revoked in June 2024 because of noncompliance with lease conditions,” according to Mr Dale Last, Queensland’s Minister for Regional and Rural Development.

The newly elected Queensland government is now seeking expressions of interest for Double Island which has already attracted entrepreneur Chris Morris who controls Queensland’s Pelorus and Orpheus Islands further north.

“I would be silly if I was not interested,” Mr Morris told The Australian.

“I have boats and helicopters and everything else up there.”

”It used to have a permit for a beach bar. Everyone would come across in their kayaks. “It was very popular with Cairns locals. Obviously we own a helicopter business, and we have six boats in the Cairns marina, including super yachts, so you can access it that way.

“We have a lot of things going up there, so it fits in well,” said the Computershare co-founder.

Chris Morris, owner of Colonial Leisure Group at the company's Melbourne Brewery. Picture: David Geraghty/The Australian

Marketing agent Wayne Bunz of CBRE said the firm was working for the Queensland government, and it would find the right custodian and stakeholder for this island.

“We will enhance the facilities on the island and make a substantial contribution to the Queensland tourism industry and the local community,” Mr Bunz said.

While the specifics of the leasehold are not determined the successful proponent will initially lease the island to remediate it, and then get approvals for the capital works. It is envisaged the government will over a leasehold of around 100 years.

CBRE said the successful proponent for the island could convert it into a glamping retreat, a centre for day tripping, an eco resort, or a high-end resort.

Sources said Double Island needed to be cleaned up as did other Queensland resorts which had been left in disarray such as Great Keppel and Brampton which is on notice.

At present public access to Double Island is not available from nearby Palm Cove but from Yorkey’s Knob in Cairns.

In a statement, Queensland’s Crisafulli government said it sought expressions of interest for Double Island tourism lease to revitalise the island as a “premier tourism destination in Queensland”.

“The island sat abandoned under the former Labor government, however the Crisafulli government has listened to the community and is taking the next steps towards unlocking the true potential of the tourism jewel,” the government said.

The site was recently converted to state-owned freehold land to allow for the island’s revival, which will create hundreds of jobs and add another tourism drawcard to stimulate the Far North Queensland economy.

“The Crisafulli government is determined to see Double Island become a vibrant tourism asset to support hundreds of jobs across the Far North once more,” Minister Last said.

“With the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games around the corner, this is a unique opportunity for a tourism operator who has the vision to transform Double Island into a world-class destination once again.

“We need the right operator with a bold and forward-looking vision to ensure this gem in the Far North’s tourism crown lives up to its full potential.”

“The former Labor government had years to secure the future of Queensland’s islands, and they failed miserably,” Minister Last said.

“Iconic destinations like Double Island should be vibrant tourism hot spots that support quality jobs for locals, and the Crisafulli government is delivering just that.”

Since securing the site the Queensland government has erected safety fencing, signage, and 24-hour surveillance cameras. The state converted the site to state-owned freehold land earlier this year – the first step in the process to activate new tourism opportunities.

Originally published as Computershare billionaire Chris Morris wants to revamp iconic island