Dunk Island

Dunk Island





Location of Dunk

Dunk Island was my first experience of visiting a proper tropical island, with the golden sands and off-shore reefs, perfect for snorkelling from the beach!

What makes Dunk a little different from so many other Barrier Reef islands is that it's mostly covered in dense tropical rainforest, making it the perfect location if you're the kind of person who loves to be surrounded by nature, particularly bird life.
With around 100 species of birds living in the rainforest of Dunk Island, catching up on some serious birdwatching is a very easy thing to do as I found out while I was there!


There are approximately 10 kilometers of walking tracks on Dunk, the best reward being the view from the highest point of the island, Mount Kootaloo on the northern end.
From here you can see the smaller islands that surround Dunk, all covered in rainforest and each with their own special characteristics.

If you prefer to do something a bit more physical than a gentle rainforest hike, then Dunk has all the watersports to offer including windsurfing, catamaran hire, water-skiing and of course snorkelling and diving trips.


Dunk Island golf course

For the land-lovers, an 18 hole golf course is situated on the island - possibly the nicest place for a round on the planet. No ordinary course, the Dunk golf course has been designed around the natural features and terrain of the island and so boasts such things as rainforest boardwalk pathways!
You can hire clubs at the course for a very modest fee, so don't worry if you weren't able to bring your clubs with you!

Other land-based activities available on Dunk Island include horse trekking, mountain biking, guided walks and archery.



Resort room and restaurant

Dunk Island accommodation

There are several choices of accommodation on Dunk Island, depending on preference and budget (as always!).
All rooms are centered around a single resort on the western coast of Dunk, a thin strip of land which holds the island's main beach. The resort also includes several eateries, tennis and volleyball courts, swimming pools, gym, spas, pool bars.....

The rooms are:



Getting onto Dunk

Flights in and out of Dunk are made from Cairns International Airport, 2 hours to the north. Alternatively there is a regular passenger ferry service from Clump Point on the mainland, close to Mission Beach.

For me, Dunk Island will always hold fond memories particularly because of the rainforest walks.
It's a great place to visit for a day or stay for a week - rarely can you find such a diverse range of surroundings and activities in such a small area!

Pete Carpenter



Other Great Barrier Reef Islands include:-