Restoring Double Island: A new chapter for a historic jewel

Efforts to restore Double Island, located off the coast from Ellis Beach, are gaining momentum as the community and government collaborate to revitalise this once-thriving destination. Double Island, known to the local Yirrgay people as Wangal Djungay, holds cultural significance as the resting place of Gudju Gudju, the Rainbow Serpent.

It has a rich history, from being used by Aboriginal Australians to its time as an exclusive resort visited by celebrities like Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston. However, after years of neglect, the island fell into disrepair, prompting the Queensland government to revoke the lease from its previous owners earlier this year.

At a community forum held in August 2024, residents and stakeholders gathered to discuss the island’s future. The forum, hosted at Peppers Beach Club in Palm Cove, received over 160 suggestions, ranging from eco-tourism to conservation efforts. Local officials, including Minister for Resources Scott Stewart, emphasised the importance of sustainable development to preserve the island’s natural beauty and protect the Great Barrier Reef. “We want to see Double Island developed sustainably, for the long-term,” Mr. Stewart noted, reflecting the widespread desire for responsible tourism that honors both the environment and the region's cultural heritage.

Tourism Minister Michael Healy also expressed optimism about the future of the island, describing it as a “true jewel in Queensland’s tourism crown.” Plans include introducing day-use facilities, eco and wellness tourism options, and possibly Indigenous-led cultural tours to celebrate the island’s heritage.