Dunk Island is a tropical island in the Great Barrier Reef, located near Mission Beach in Queensland’s Cassowary Coast area.
No matter if you live in Mission Beach or are exploring Australia’s East Coast, Dunk Island, also known as Coonanglebah, is a place you shouldn’t miss.
Keep reading to discover the top things to do on Dunk Island, some tips and tricks to help you get there and enjoy your trip to the fullest!
How to reach the Dunk Island
Dunk Island is an island that’s only reachable by boat or ferry. You can choose to go on a half-day or full-day tour with Dunk Island Ferry to see Beaver Reef and Coral Cay, or enjoy snorkeling from Mission Beach.
The QuickCoast Dunk Island Ferry leaves Mission Beach at 9am and comes back at 4:50pm.
A little about Dunk Island
Dunk Island has everything you’d want from a Tropical North Queensland island. It offers sandy beaches, rocky shores, and fringing reefs that are great for snorkelling. The island also has a lush rainforest with many scenic walking trails.
Just off the coast of Mission Beach, Dunk Island is part of the Family Islands Group and makes for an amazing day trip close to the mainland. As part of the Family Islands National Park, it’s home to many bird species and you might even spot marine animals near the coral reefs
Things To Do & See At Dunk Island
Here are some of the best activities we enjoyed in this tropical paradise.
Hike The Island Circuit Track
Take the Island Circuit track by following the signs. This 11-kilometre walk leads you up Mount Kootaloo, through Palm Valley, across Coconut Beach, and finishes at the sand spit.
The walk takes around three hours and lets you explore the beautiful rainforest of Dunk Island.
Hike Up To Mount Kootaloo
For amazing views of the southern side of Dunk Island, a walk to the highest point at Mount Kootaloo is the perfect choice. The lookout sits at the top of the 271-meter hill.
To reach it, take the trail starting from the end of Brammo Bay Beach. The path gently climbs for about two kilometers, leading you to an old World War II radar station.
It’s not a tough hike, but you’ll still ascend to the upper part of the island. Once at the summit, you’ll enjoy stunning views of the Family Islands to the north.
Discover the Inside of Dunk Island
As you travel further up the East Coast of Australia, the rainforest becomes more tropical.
There are two trails starting from the main pier. First, you’ll pass through tidy camping spots and go by the old airstrip. After that, the path takes you along a long white beach, past the empty resort, and then into thick rainforest.
The bush tracks are easy to follow, and you can use the National Park walking map to help guide you.
Take a walk along the Muggy Muggy Beach Track
If you want to snorkel or relax on a quieter beach, take a left at the first junction and enjoy the easy walk to Muggy Muggy Beach.
It’s just a 20-minute walk from the pier. The beach is a beautiful cove with soft sand, big rocks, and coconut palm trees.
Explore Mound Island
When you arrive at Dunk Island, you might spot a small, rocky island called Mound Island, located just outside Brammo Bay. The indigenous name for this island is Purtaboi.
You can kayak or boat to Mound Island, but remember that it’s a special bird nesting area. To protect the birds, visitors aren’t allowed on the island from 1 October to 31 March.
Swim At The Sand Spit
The sand spit on Dunk Island is one of the most beautiful spots in Australia, perhaps only topped by Hill Inlet.
It’s an ideal place to swim since there are no rocks, and the water is crystal clear! If you watch closely, you might even see sea turtles swimming by.
This spot is also perfect for taking photos, offering a different view of Dunk Island.
Go Bird-Watching
More than 100 types of birds live on Dunk Island, making it a great spot for birdwatching! As you walk along the trails, you can spot colorful sunbirds and emerald doves. If you look up, you might even see an osprey flying overhead.
Don’t forget to watch for the bright Blue Ulysses Butterfly too!
Dive Off The Dunk Island Pier
The main pier at Brammo Bay is perfect for jumping! When it’s not too crowded with people fishing, you can even try doing backflips, even during low tide!
Snorkeling at Muggy Muggy Beach
Muggy Muggy Beach is just a short walk from the main resort beach at Brammo Bay. It’s a quieter and more private spot for swimming and snorkeling.
You can explore the bay by snorkeling along the reef and see some of the special marine life of the Great Barrier Reef.
Camping on Dunk Island
It’s a popular spot to visit from Mission Beach, so there are campgrounds set up for you. You’ll find hot showers, drinking water, picnic tables, and BBQs available.
If you want to camp on Dunk Island, you’ll need to book a camping spot and pay for a permit. The Cassowary Coast Regional Council takes care of these reservations.
