About The Duke Islands…
The Duke Islands consist of three privately-owned islands. The main island is Marble Island, which spans more than 1010 hectares, boasting more than 13 secluded beaches. The two neighbouring islands are Hunter Island (121.4ha) and Tynemouth Island (202.3ha), and make up the archipelago.
The Duke Islands lie in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park’s warm, southern and pristine waters, just 20km off the Capricorn Coast of Queensland, Australia, and is renowned by those who visit as one of the most picturesque groups on the central Queensland coast.
The islands and their surrounding waters are a natural habitat for a host of marine life and sea birds, and Marble Island is a breeding ground for Australia’s green turtles. During August to October, the local waterways also form part of the annual migratory path for pods of whales and their calves.
As the main island, Marble Island has a vast array of infrastructure to allow for maintenance and visitation to the island. This includes a Managers Residence for the live-in managers, an airstrip, sheds, solar power, several dams, a house for owners use, and of course, a gorgeous farm-stay guest cottage, which is available for rent.
Staying at Marble Island
Marble Island boasts tourist accommodation in the form of a single beach cottage, setting this secret retreat away from most Queensland island holiday destinations – the absolute escape for those seeking a unique experience on a private island meets cattle property homestead.
Vast blue skies, golden sandy beaches and sparkling waters reign supreme on this tranquil island retreat, making Duke Islands an idyllic destination for your next getaway. Free to play, explore and imagine. Snorkeling in underwater worlds, sharing stories and laughs by a beach fire and cooking up the bounty of the day as the bubbles flow. Truly a playground for all.
Days can be happily whiled away spotting sea turtles, fishing amongst some of the most populated reef’s in the world, snorkelling or simply swimming in the warm waters at the abundance of beaches and alcoves on offer. Guests are invited to take a retreat from their busy lives and reconnect with what’s important, filling days with an abundance of adventures, or quietly taking things slowly with a good book under the shade of a tasseled umbrella.
The best part? Only one group can book the island at a time.
To learn more about this rare and sought after experience that promises to bring joy and adventure, click here.
History
Marble Island was originally settled and developed in the first half of the 1900s as a pastoral enterprise. The island has been passed down over the years through many owners, with late Brisbane stockbroking identity, Rex Jones, purchasing the Duke Islands group in 1968 when it was a sheep station.
Following his purchase, Rex subsequently developed the property into a cattle station. This development entailed a major investment to upgrade the island with additional infrastructure: a grass airstrip, many dams, cattle yards, refrigeration rooms, generators and working sheds, along with a manager’s residence, owner’s holiday residence and a farmstay guest cottage (which is available for rent) in a secluded area of the front beach.
In 1904, Iron Island, a small outcrop from Marble Island, was developed and mined as a source of iron ore which was shipped to the mainland for processing.
The islands are now owned by Rex’s three children, who to this day, frequently visit Marble Island to escape and re-energise in their private and tranquil reserve.
Cattle
The Duke Islands is home to a small but incredibly unique cattle station, run by Duke Islands Pastoral Company. Across the three islands, approximately 200 cattle are run, majority of which are Droughtmaster cross.
During calving season, this number is bolstered by 20 or 30 wieners. The cattle have a unique home surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Barrier Reef Marine Park, grazing on the farm land across the islands. When it comes time to transport the cattle from the island, they are moved via a purpose built barge called ‘Jeeves’, which allows the export and import of approximately 14 - 16 cattle during every shipment. Pending weather conditions, one major transportation session takes place from Marble Island each year, via five to six barge loads of cattle. Return trips often bring a new bull and new heifers onto the island.
The cattle are transported to the mainland settlement of Stanage Bay to go onto the seaside pastoral property, Langham, also purchased by Rex Jones in the 1970s, where the cattle remain for further grazing before selling.
The facilitation of the cattle shipment and general maintenance of the property is handled by the current Duke Islands managers, who often receive a helping hand from the owners extended family, friends and Stanage Bay locals.
For any press enquiries regarding the cattle station, please contact Lucinda at BAYLY PR on lucinda@baylypr.com.