Dunk Island is situated 4.5klm off the shores of Mission Beach and is a high continental island. Most of the 730ha is protected as National Park and an airstrip. A resort and farm occupy the other 240ha on the northwest side of the island. The surrounding waters and fringed reef are protected within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The green-clad slopes of Dunk Island rise gently from the sea to a modest peak at 271m known as Mt Kootaloo.
History of Dunk Island
Dunk Island is probably best known as one of Australia’s tropic isles largely due to the writings of E J Banfield, the beachcomber. Banfield lived on the island between 1897 and 1923 and wrote about the island and its natural history.
Confessions of a Beachcomber, was published in 1908 and the book became a celebrated text for romantics and escapists and established Dunk Island’s reputation as an exotic island paradise. EJ Banfield passed away on June 2nd, 1923 and is buried on the island just before the swinging bridge on the track to Mt Kootaloo.
Captain James Cook sailed the Endeavour past the Family Islands on the 8th June, 1770, during his voyage of exploration of the east coast of Australia. He named only one island, Dunk, after Lord Montagu Dunk, the Earl of Sandwich and the first Lord of the British Admiralty.
Life on Dunk Island
From the sea, a mosaic of shades of green is visible, revealing a pattern of vegetation dominated by rainforest species in gullies and on the wetter slopes with the eucalypt forest on the drier ridges. Over much of the island a relatively open forest of eucalypt is accompanied by an understorey of rainforest plants including many palms and thick sloping coiled lianas.
Over one hundred species of birds can be seen on the island, including the Orange-footed Scrub fowl and the black Australian Brush Turkey. Both lay eggs in the huge mounds of rotting vegetation which act as incubators. Both of these birds frequent the grounds of Cassawong Cottages.
Other commonly seen birds include the yellow-bellied sunbird, which feasts on the nectar of flowers and the fish eating Osprey, with its white head and chest and dark brown back.
Dunk’s best known butterfly and symbol is the Ulysses. This large, metallic blue species is typical of the upland rainforest and protected by the Queensland Government
Walking tracks
There are 13 klm of walking tracks encouraging exploration and they provide an introduction to the diversity of animal life found on the island. Proximity of creeks, rainforests, eucalypt forest, rocky shore, reef flat and mangroves provides an ideal situation for nature watching and allows an insight into the importance of an island national park as a wildlife refuge.
Banfield’s Grave
500m and 15 minutes walk return, easy level walk.
The track leaves behind the resort, Banfield’s grave can be seen just before you reach the Swinging Bridge that crosses a small ravine in the heart of the rainforest.
Mt. Kootaloo
5.6klm and 3 hours return, level and reasonable fitness required.
As the highest point on the island (271 metres) this track is steep in places with an uneven surface with several sets of steps. This track starts behind the resort and winds around the northern slopes of Mt. Kootaloo through eucalypt forest and rainforest. The lookout at the summit provides spectacular views over the Family Group of Islands.
Muggy Muggy Beach
2klm 30 minutes return
Along this track you will see the 360 million year old rocks, moulded into folds and tilted vertically. The track runs parallel to the water and is rich in a variety of vegetation.
Coconut Beach
6klm 2 hours return
level, a reasosnable level of fitness required.
Made up of a series of small coves fringed by trees, a feature being the Calla phylum tree, more commonly known as Cyclone trees. These grow as high as 20 metres, have very low lying foliage and can be very old.
Island Circuit
9.2klm 3 hours round trip. Very difficult
Starting from the resort to Mt Kootaloo and then onto Coconut Beach. This challenging walk will unfold Dunk’s lush green rainforest where you are likely to encounter many different species of birdlife.
Walking checklist
To maximise your own safety
Keep to the tracks at all times
Always carry water, wear hats and sturdy footwear and try to walk in the cooler part of the day
As you walk, rest often in the shade as heat exhaustion can affect even the fit and healthy
Access to the airstrip is strictly prohibited, do not enter this area.
Resort Experience Pass
Day guests to the island may purchase a pass that will gain you access to some of the facilities at Dunk Island Resort. Relax with a cocktail in the Plantation Bar or try a refreshing dunk in the Beachfront Butterfly swimming pool.
This pass also entitles you to a complimentary lunch at either EJ’s on the Deck or BB’s on the Beach as well as a 10-% discount off all souvenirs and clothing purchased from Blue Butterfly Boutique or BB’s on the Beach.
They are purchased from Water Sports and as at December 2005 were $40.00
Walkers are permitted to climb the peak of Mt Kootaloo and are rewarded with spectacular views over the Family Group of Islands and Hinchinbrook Island.
View to Dunk Island from the beach in front of Cassawong Cottages
EJ Banfield
Beautiful Ulysses Butterfly on one of the flowers at Cassawong Cottages
Dunk Island is within the family group of closely located islands.
