Once a favourite holiday destination of A-listers Brad Pitt, Keanu Reeves and Jennifer Aniston, a tropical island resort off the Far North Queensland coast now has a new operator.
Double Island was one of the jewels of Cairns’s tourism industry but, over more than a decade, it was left to decay and fall into ruin.
Premier David Crisafulli will today announce the Queensland government has reached a deal to lease the island to the Morris Group, owned by the Melbourne billionaire founder of ASX-listed company Computershare, Chris Morris.
Melbourne businessman Chris Morris’ group has taken over the Double Island lease. (Supplied: Morris Group)
The Morris Group’s $40 million redevelopment can now begin on the island, known to Yirrganydji traditional owners as Wangal Djungay.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO Mark Olsen said a four-year, four-stage redevelopment included a public-access pontoon, a sunset bar, 24 luxury villas, helicopter pad and a restaurant.
He said work would begin this year.
Debris and wreckage, including this tractor, has mounted on Double Island since it was abandoned about a decade ago. (ABC News: Conor Byrne)
Mr Olsen said a ferry service to the island could begin operating from Yorkeys Knob in the near future, the first time since 2018 that access would be possible.
“Brad, Jen, Keanu … they’re all welcome back for the opening party,” he said.
“We can’t wait to show it off.”
Tropical Tourism North Queensland CEO Mark Olsen says Double Island will cater to high-end tourists, but also to locals. (ABC News: Baz Ruddick)
Mr Olsen will visit the island this weekend on a reconnaissance mission.
He said there was demand from “high-end customers” wanting to visit Queensland, as evidenced by the growth of the superyacht industry.
“We know that there is a high-end luxury market who want exactly what this destination has to offer,” he said.
“Double Island is another jewel in the crown of tropical North Queensland.”
Island left to ruin
In June 2024, Queensland’s Planning and Environment Court ruled the former Labor state government could cancel Hong Kong billionaire Benny Wu’s long-term lease over the island.
Mr Wu paid former Ozemail founder Sean Howard $5.68 million in 2012 to take over the 17.8-hectare island’s resort.
The Double Island Resort in its former glory. (Supplied: Double Island Resort)
The lease, which ran until 2099, required Mr Wu’s Fortune Island Holding Company to maintain the resort and keep the island open for visitation.
But, as the years went by and it fell into a greater state of disrepair, the government grew increasingly impatient.
An abandoned villa on Double Island soon after the High Court removed Benny Wu’s lease over the former luxury resort. (ABC News: Conor Byrne)
The former ferry was beached as the public access pontoon deteriorated. (ABC News: Conor Byrne)
In 2023, after the company failed to meet a deadline to restore the resort and reopen it to the public, the government asked the Planning and Environment Court 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 take expressions of interest, with parties given until May last year to submit proposals.
The public access pontoon will be one of the first stages of the redevelopment of Double Island. (ABC News: Conor Byrne)
Double Island fell into disrepair under its previous leaseholder.
Morris Group’s North Queensland portfolio
The Morris Group’s portfolio of luxury escapes in North Queensland includes an outback lodge at Mount Mulligan, north-west of Cairns, and Pelorus and Orpheus islands, off the coast north of Townsville.
It also owns The Ville Resort and Casino in Townsville, and two helicopter companies that run tourist flights over the Great Barrier Reef.
Additional reporting by Juanita Soper.
Double Island resort lies 1.5 kilometres off the coast of Cairns and was once a celebrity getaway. (Supplied: Double Island Resort)
