Anchorage: Dunk Island QLD 

A natural playground where the rainforest tumbles onto the reef

Rainforest and Summit Walks...Snorkelling ...Artist Residence...Resort & Campground

  

Situated in the Family Group of islands, midway between Townsville and Cairns, Dunk Island's special quality is its diversity of anchorages.With heavily forested peaks reaching almost 300mts above sea level and National park rainforest steeply cascading down onto white sand beaches, Dunk is a heartbreakingly beautiful natural playground.

The island is well known for the luxury Voyages resort set beneath a coconut palm grove, amongst lush tropical gardens.But it is perhaps less well known for its secluded campground just metres from the beach.Visitors by boat are welcomed ashore with their own 'day trippers' bar and café.

Walking trails traverse the whole island, meandering through National Park rainforest that tumble down to the white sand beaches.An invigorating walk to the Mt Kootaloo summit is rewarded with views over the islands and out towards the Great Barrier Reef.The 1100mt peak of Mt Bowen can be seen on Hinchinbrook Island to the south.



Perched atop the Great Barrier Reef, Dunk Island allows for easy snorkelling in gentle water directly from the white sand beach.
 
Former Olympian, creative weaver, the charismatic, (late) Bruce Arthur, set up an artist community on Dunk Island in the mid 1970's. Many artists have resided at the community in the years since, and remains a haven of creativity.Visitors are welcome to visit the gallery; although at the time of this authors visit (Nov06) the centre was still closed after Cyclone Larry smashed into the island.
 
Accommodation is available at the luxury Voyages Resort with its superb restaurants and bars.Visitors may also choose to bring their own tent and camp beneath the rainforest canopy, just metres from a white sand beach.Free gas BBQ is supplied, and the largest shower this traveller has ever seen is included in the campground fees.Bookings are made through the resort.

 

Anchorage
Dunk Island offers good protection over sand and coral either side of the sand spit that dissects the west side of the island.The prevailing trade winds blow almost all year round, and are from E-SE and can be expected to reach 20-25knots consistently.The period between October to December is often changeable with strong winds interspersed with calm periods.Often during this period, there is the possibility that winds will be light, or even non-existent, and come from a northerly direction.

Tidal range can be up to 3 metres.

  
Approach into the anchorage on the north side of the spit is from the north, keeping clear of Purdaboi Is.The fringing reef lies well offshore in front of the resort, with the best anchorage being between the public jetty and the sand spit.There are a number of private moorings here.Vessels should anchor well clear of the busy jetty with its regular ferry & water taxi services from Mission Beach.

If the wind is from the north, passage can be made around to the southern side of the sand spit, giving it a wide berth, to anchor on the southern side.There is fringing reef extending well out from shore.

Anchorage location: Lat 17 deg 56.1S  Long 146 deg 08.1 (in S winds)
                              Lat 17 deg 56.5S  Long 146 deg 08.0 (in N winds)
 
Checklist
Best Time to Go During the dry season the SE trades provide consistent, albeit often fresh, stable weather conditions. For travellers heading north from southern localities, the tropical wet season with its inherent cyclone risk is officially between November and March.The closest cyclone 'bolt hole' is at Hinchinbrook Island, approx 25nm southwards.
How Long to Get There The closest mainland community to Dunk is at Mission Beach, about 3nm to the west. For long distance cruisers, Dunk Island could be reached as a day trip, either from Hinchinbrook Island to the south or from Innisfail to the north.
Fuel & Provisions There is no provision for obtaining fuel or water on the island.Provisions can be obtained by catching the ferry or water taxi to nearby Mission Beach.A modern alfresco café & bar located at the end of the jetty is available for day-trippers.
Cruising Guide Cruising the Coral Coast by Alan Lucas
Charts: Paper AUS258 Dunk Island
Charts: C-Map Cape Richards to Cape Tribulation
Destination Info Tourism Queensland and Voyages Dunk Island Resort
Zoning Part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Dunk Island is in a Conservation Zone. Fishing is permitted.
 
 

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