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]

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]