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With Dunk Island one of only a few freehold islands on the entire Great Barrier Reef, JLL Hotels has announced that Dunk is for sale, with while Dunk is well known formerly as a 160-key resort, the current owner has used the island exclusively for personal use

JLL Hotels says, “Dunk Island provides the perfect opportunity to deliver an all-encompassing holiday destination akin to the enormously successful Hamilton Island”, with the island including 135 hectares of freehold developable land along with significant in-place infrastructure including a mainland power connection, supporting utility infrastructure and a commercial grade airstrip.

With the then Dunk Island Resort previously owned by QANTAS and cruise company P&O, it operated as a 4.5-star family resort with 160 guest rooms, a 9 hole golf course, a range of food and beverage outlets, tennis courts and a day spa.

Dunk is located just off the Queensland coast, a 30 minute direct flight from Cairns International Airport or 20 minute ferry from Mission Beach, with JLL saying there is significant potential to develop Dunk into Australia’s next tourism icon.

Nick Roche of JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group said, “Dunk Island provides the perfect opportunity to deliver an all-encompassing holiday destination akin to the enormously successful Hamilton Island, ideal for establishing a wide range of accommodation offerings, leisure activities and a self-sufficient ecosystem”, adding, “Its exclusive setting, stunning views and commercial-grade airstrip set against one of the world’s greatest natural wonders ensure it remains a highly desirable holiday location, while the mainland power connection and supporting utility infrastructure enable the alleviation of large overheads typically associated with such an operation”

Andrew Langsford, also of JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group said, “We are currently seeing a surge in domestic travel across Australia and anticipate this demand will only accelerate as State borders open and a Trans-Tasman bubble is established”, adding, “Given the impact of Covid-19 and restrictions on international travel in the near term, we anticipate the Great Barrier Reef accommodation market to be a strong beneficiary of Australia’s high overseas spend, much of which is expected to be diverted to high-end resort locations, we expect this change in travel behaviour will be sustained for years to come.”

In the meantime last year, Mayfair 101 contracted to buy the island for $31m, but did not complete the purchase, with the Bond family’s Family Islands Group reclaiming ownership, although it is reported that Mayfair 101 founder James Mawhinney said as recently as Wednesday night, that he still plans to redevelop Dunk Island into a $1.5bn tourism mecca, although the Bond family, as the mortgagee in possession, were always entitled to follow through with the sales process.

A report by John Alwyn-Jones