Pumpkin Island

Pumpkin Island is a privately-owned island in Keppel Bay on the southern Great Barrier Reef in Australia.[3][4] It is 13.8 kilometres (8.6 mi) off the coast from Yeppoon[5] and has an area of 6.1 Hectares.[3] In 2012 it was listed as the world's sixth most expensive private island.[3]

Pumpkin Island[1]
Native name:
Koey Ngurtai[2]
Geography
Area0.06 km2 (0.023 sq mi)
Administration
Australia
StateQueensland
RegionCentral Queensland

The island is owned and operated by Sojourn Properties Pty Ltd, a Queensland-based company and run by Sojourn Retreats. The resort operated using wind and solar power systems and filtered rain water for use as drinking water for its "7 self-catering units" which could accommodate up to 34 guests. [6][7][8]

The island is one of four properties owned by the company as of 2020 the others are Eden, Yeppoon; Sandcastles, Zilzie; and Elysian Retreat on Long Island.[9][1]

Before 1961, the island was an oyster farm owned by Snigger Findlay who lost it in a poker game to Roger Mason. By 1964, it was operating as a tourist destination. Sojourn Properties purchased the island in 2003 when it was a " low-key private resort" defined by the Rumbles as more of a "fisherman’s hideaway". In addition to renovations and new buildings, they added a helicopter pad, two registered moorings and a 36 passenger boat for ferrying clients.[10] [11][12]

Between 2012 and 2015 the island was leased by Queensland brewer Castlemaine Perkins and, for the duration, renamed XXXX Island as a promotional campaign for their beer, Castlemaine XXXX.[13] The company held contests and island escapes were offered as prizes. By 2016, the island was being renovated to become an advanced eco retreat. [14] During the XXXX era, 3,000 people visited.[13]

Pumpkin was recognised in 2019 as Australasia's most sustainable hotel[15] at the World Boutique Hotel Awards, adding to its accomplishments that include Climate Action Leader and the first beyond carbon neutral island in Australia.[16]

The address for Pumpkin Island is Keppel Islands, Yeppoon, Queensland, Australia.[17]

See also

References
  1. Jason Tin (15 March 2012). "XXXX Gold to lease out island for men only". Herald Sun. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
  2. "The Agreements, Treaties and Negotiated Settlements database (ATNS)". Indigenous Studies Program, The University of Melbourne. 27 July 2004. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  3. "The world's most expensive private islands", The Daily Telegraph.
  4. Private Island
  5. "Pumpkin Island". Queensland Holidays. Tourism Queensland. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
  6. "Escape to an island paradise". Sojourn Retreats. 10 June 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  7. "A private island off the coast of Australia was once won in a poker game and sold for $78. Now it's back on the market asking $17 million — take a look inside". Business Insider. 10 August 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  8. "Stunning Great Barrier Reef island, once won in a poker game, is up for sale". CNN Travel. 18 July 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  9. "Sojourn Retreats Properties". Sojourn Retreats. 10 June 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  10. "Amazing Eco-Friendly Private Island on Australia's Great Barrier Reef Is for Sale". Our Community Now. 30 July 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  11. ""Visit the Great Barrier Reef without leaving a footprint."". Boutique Hotel Awards. 11 January 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  12. "Stunning Great Barrier Reef island, once won in a poker game, is up for sale". CNN Travel. 18 July 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  13. Anjelica Rush (11 October 2015). "Last bids for XXXX Island being lodged on ebay". Brisbane Times. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  14. "The curious tale of XXXX Island – from beer-soaked man cave to tropical idyll". The Telegraph. 11 December 2018. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  15. "Amazing Eco-Friendly Private Island on Australia's Great Barrier Reef Is for Sale". Our Community Now. 30 July 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  16. "Best Boutique Hotels | Awards Process". www.boutiquehotelawards.com. Retrieved 24 March 2019.
  17. ""Visit the Great Barrier Reef without leaving a footprint."". Boutique Hotel Awards. 11 January 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2020.


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