Double Island, Queensland facts for kids
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Native name:
Wangal Djungay
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View of Double Island from shore, 2005
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| Geography | |
| Location | Ellis Beach, Queensland |
| Coordinates | 16°43′33″S 145°41′01″E / 16.72583°S 145.68361°E |
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Australia
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Double Island is a small island located about 3 kilometers (about 2 miles) off the coast of Ellis Beach, Queensland, in Australia. It is part of the amazing Great Barrier Reef. The island's original name is Wangal Djungay, given by the local Djabugay people.
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Where is Double Island?
Double Island is found in the beautiful waters of Queensland, Australia. It is located about 1.5 kilometers (less than a mile) northeast of Palm Cove, Queensland. The island is also about 30 kilometers (about 18 miles) north of the city of Cairns.
The Story of Double Island
Ancient History and Beliefs
For a very long time, the Aboriginal Australians knew about and used Double Island. These were the ancestors of the Djabugay people. The Djabugay people, especially the Yirrgay group, have a special belief about the island. They believe it is the resting place of Gudju Gudju, who is a very important Rainbow Serpent in their stories.
Early European Use
In the 1880s and 1890s, Double Island became more widely known. This was because gold was discovered on the nearby mainland. It is said that a mining company once used the island as a holiday spot for its workers. Around the same time, some local farmers also used the island to let their cattle eat grass there.
A Famous Resort Island
Double Island, or Wangal Djungay, was once home to a very special and private resort. Many famous people, including Hollywood stars like Jennifer Aniston, Brad Pitt, and Keanu Reeves, have stayed on the island.
Recent Changes to the Island
The resort on Double Island has been closed to visitors for several years. In 2012, a person from Hong Kong named Benny Wu bought the right to use the island. He had plans to spend a lot of money to make the resort even better for wealthy tourists.
However, by 2023, the planned upgrades had not happened. The resort buildings started to fall apart. Because of this, people asked for the agreement to use the island to be canceled. In June 2024, Benny Wu's right to use the island was taken away, and the island was returned to the state of Queensland.
