Billionaire Chris Morris keen to add Double Island to portfolio including Orpheus Island and Pelorus Island

Billionaire Chris Morris has a luxury portfolio including Orpheus Island and Pelorus Island – but he says if he was able to snap up Double Island, the first thing he’d do is open a beach bar for locals. Find out more:

Pool with jetty views at Orpheus Island Lodge, Queensland.

High profile developer Chris Morris is itching to buy the Double Island lease and restore the decrepit resort to its former glory.

Once the holiday retreat of A-listers such as Madonna and Guy Ritchie and a favourite of Keanu Reeves, the state government says the island has effectively been abandoned since Hong Kong based Benny Wu’s company acquired a 100-year lease 12 years ago.

The Department of Resources is seeking to have Mr Wu’s company stripped of the lease with a hearing date in the Land Court in Cairns on Tuesday.

The Queensland Government has taken action to strip the lessee of the lease for Double Island. Picture: Brendan Radke

Fortune Island Holdings indicated in documents lodged with the court that it would defend the action.

Mr Morris has substantial North Queensland investments and said he would be delighted to add Double Island to his portfolio.

In February, he unveiled a $20,000 per night private retreat at Pelorus Island.

“I’ve built a brand new hotel next to the casino in Townsville that is better than anything in Cairns, I’ve got Pelorus and Mt Mulligan Lodge,” He said.

“I would love to be involved in Double Island, hopefully the government will move on it.

“It is so close to Cairns, ideal for canoeing and fishing.”

Executive Chairman of Morris Group, Chris Morris, has just opened a luxury retreat at Pelorus Island.

And bringing the public back to Double Island would be first priority.

“The first thing I’d do would be reinstate the bar on the beach for locals, but for tourism, it has great ambience,” Mr Morris said.

“The infrastructure is pretty buggered, I’d get the wharf open, and then do up the resort, absolutely I’d love it,” he said.

Pelorus Private Island residence.

His tourism interests include The Ville Resort in Townsville, three Morris Nautical vessels, and Morris Escapes, which comprise high end destinations Orpheus Island Lodge, Mt Mulligan Lodge, Beechmont Estate and Pelorus Private Island.

Pelorus Private Island opened earlier this year. Picture: Morris Group

The Computershare co-founder, who bought Orpheus Island north of Townsville in 2011, said restricting the number of guests to no more than 28 was one of the secrets of its success.

He owns seven hotels, including the recently-revamped Julatten Hotel, and Nautilus Aviation and HeliFish.

Former Double Island owner and millionaire property magnate John Palasty has also said he is keen to acquire Double Island.

Originally published as Billionaire Chris Morris keen to add Double Island to portfolio including Orpheus Island and Pelorus Island