Pumpkin Island

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 Wednesday 25-29 November: Pumpkin Island

We have been looking forward to our Island getaway since being in Darwin. It was quite an effort packing up everything we needed for our stay as nothing is available on the Island.



Part of the intrigue in visiting Pumpkin was linked to this Island being Australia’s first and only carbon positive island, a place where you can positively contribute to climate change action. The Island has attained Australia’s highest ecotourism certification and long- term operational permits granted by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. The focus is on sustainability- saving water, power, minimising carbon emissions, conserving and protecting the natural environment and reducing their ecological footprint.






 This tiny island eco-retreat is 13.8km off the coast of Yeppoon in the Keppel Islands. It is located in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park so is fringed by reef. The Island has been in operation as a low key, low impact destination for families and fishermen since 1964. Prior to this is what uninhabited and purely used for harvesting oysters.

All water on the island is provided by rain, and the 12v power supplied through solar.

The island has glass bottom kayaks, stand up paddle boards, and snorkelling gear. The rest is up to you.


































The island is littered with hammocks slung under huge fiddle leaf trees. The serenity cannot be overstated. We felt very lucky to be here, enjoying this precious slice of paradise, with only 5 other groups. Doing nothing is starting to feel a little less indulgent, and I'm glad for that.


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