A New Era for Double Island
Once a popular holiday destination for A-list celebrities such as Brad Pitt, Keanu Reeves, and Jennifer Aniston, a tropical island resort off the Far North Queensland coast is now set for a fresh beginning. Double Island, which was once a standout in Cairns’s tourism industry, had been left to decay over more than a decade, falling into disrepair and ruin.
The Queensland government has announced a significant development by leasing the island to the Morris Group. This group is owned by Melbourne-based billionaire Chris Morris, who is also the founder of ASX-listed company Computershare. The deal allows the Morris Group to start detailed planning and design work for a $40 million redevelopment project on the island, known to the Yirrganydji traditional owners as Wangal Djungay.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO Mark Olsen highlighted that the four-year, four-stage redevelopment will include several key features. These include a public-access pontoon, a sunset bar, 24 luxury villas, a helicopter pad, and a restaurant. Work on these projects is expected to begin this year.
Olsen mentioned that a ferry service to the island could start operating from Yorkeys Knob soon, marking the first time since 2018 that access would be possible. He humorously added, “Brad, Jen, Keanu … they’re all welcome back for the opening party.” He expressed excitement about the upcoming transformation and plans to visit the island this weekend for a reconnaissance mission.
Olsen pointed out that there is strong demand from high-end customers looking for unique experiences in Queensland, as evidenced by the growth of the superyacht industry. He emphasized that Double Island is another jewel in the crown of tropical North Queensland.
The Island Left to Ruin
In June 2024, Queensland’s Planning and Environment Court ruled that the former Labor state government could cancel Hong Kong billionaire Benny Wu’s long-term lease over the island. Wu had paid former Ozemail founder Sean Howard $5.68 million in 2012 to take over the 17.8-hectare island’s resort. The lease, which ran until 2099, required Wu’s Fortune Island Holding Company to maintain the resort and keep the island open for visitation.
However, as the years passed, the island fell into greater disrepair, leading the government to grow increasingly impatient. In 2023, after the company failed to meet a deadline to restore the resort and reopen it to the public, the government sought the Planning and Environment Court’s intervention to cancel the lease. In early 2025, the current government converted Double Island’s title from a reserve under the Land Act to a state-owned freehold property.
The government engaged commercial real estate firm CBRE to gather expressions of interest, with parties given until May last year to submit proposals.
Premier Touts Jobs for Young People
A Queensland government spokesman declined to reveal the duration of the lease, citing it as “commercial-in-confidence.” The government has also not commented on any conditions the Morris Group must comply with.
Mr. Morris described the project as “not a rebuild” but rather a clean-up of the island. He mentioned that by the second year, they hope to have the beach bar and related facilities open, followed by a couple of years to complete the resort’s reopening.
Premier David Crisafulli highlighted that Double Island’s reopening would create job opportunities for young people and serve as a venue that would make residents of north and far north Queensland proud.
Cairns MP and state opposition tourism spokesman Michael Healy noted that the former Labor government was almost ready to sign a deal with the Morris Group when it lost office in 2024. He found it remarkable that it took the current government 18 months to reach an agreement.
The Morris Group’s portfolio includes luxury escapes in North Queensland, such as an outback lodge at Mount Mulligan, north-west of Cairns, and Pelorus and Orpheus islands off the coast north of Townsville. They also own The Ville Resort and Casino in Townsville, along with two helicopter companies that offer tourist flights over the Great Barrier Reef.
[map]
