Mornington Island
The Heart of Community and Culture
Cairns
Townsville
Mornington
Community & Amenities
- There are limited supplies and services available on the island, so visitors should plan accordingly and bring any necessary items with them.
- The island is home to a large indigenous community, and visitors are asked to be respectful of their customs and traditions.
- During the wet season (December to March), some areas of the island may be inaccessible due to flooding.
Health Services
- Mornington Island Health Centre: The island has a health centre providing primary healthcare services, including general medical consultations, emergency care, and basic dental services. The centre is staffed by healthcare professionals and supports the local community with essential medical care.
Community and Social Services
- Mornington Shire Council: The local council provides various community services, including waste management, local infrastructure maintenance, and community events. The council also manages some accommodation facilities and oversees local development projects.
- Youth and Community Programs: Various programs are offered to support the local population, including youth services, cultural programs, and community support initiatives.
- Sports and Recreation: The island has facilities for sports and recreation, including a sports field and community spaces where events and gatherings are held.
- Cultural Activities: The Gununa Art Centre is a hub for cultural activities, showcasing local art and hosting community events that celebrate the island’s Indigenous heritage.
Retail and Supplies
There are very limited shopping outlets on Mornington Island, with the offerings being a supermarket, butcher, bakery, a variety store and a workwear outlet. A supplies barge arrives on Wednesdays bringing stock for the shop and post.
- A supermarket operates 6 days a week (closed Sunday) and offers a range of fresh produce and grocery items. Stock is dependent on the barge so there may be times where stock levels are low whilst awaiting the barge arrival.
- The supermarket is attached to a Variety Story stocking a range of items to assist with day to day living such as kitchen appliances, home repairs and gardening tools as well as the all- important fishing supplies and tackle.
- Online shopping is very popular and a good way to source items that are not available on the island. Coles Online provides a remote delivery service, if you want to order special dietary types of groceries. The location for the delivery is Wellesley Islands. Further information can be found at Coles Online.
Accommodation
Accommodation options are limited due to the island’s remote location. Options include:
- Mornington Island Motel is one of the primary accommodation options on the island, located in the community of Gununa. The motel offers basic amenities and is suitable for short stays, catering mainly to visitors working or traveling for business in the area.
- Council provides some Visitors Accommodation facilities that may be available. These are typically reserved for government workers or contractors by may be available by arrangement. Contact the Mornington Shire Accommodation (07) 4745 7882 or email an enquiry to [email protected].
Alcohol
Under the Queensland Government’s Alcohol Management Plan for Mornington Shire, there are limits to alcohol that may be taken into the community which is currently up to 11.25 litres (equivalent to 30 x 375ml cans) of any combination of beer and premixed spirits in which the concentration of alcohol is up to and including 4% alcohol/volume.
This amount is per person on foot, or per vehicle, boat or aircraft regardless of the number of people in it.
No homebrew or related equipment is allowed in the restricted area.
Education
Mornington Island State School
The island’s primary educational facility, offering schooling from early childhood to Year 10. The school plays a vital role in the community, providing education and supporting cultural learning.
Key Attractions
Connectivity
The most common way to access the island is by air. Flights may not operate daily, so it is important to plan and book well in advance, especially during peak or wet seasons
Regional Express (REX) operates flights to and from Mornington with regular service to Cairns and Mt Isa. For more details visit Rex Airlines.
Cairns International Airport is approximately a 4 ½ hour flight from Doomadgee and can connect passengers to regional, national and international destinations.
Travel by sea to Mornington Island is limited, with no regular ferry services operating. However, it is possible to reach the island via private boats or charters, though this is uncommon.
- The Gulf of Carpentaria's waters can be difficult to navigate, especially during the wet season (November to April), when weather conditions can make sea travel dangerous.
- Mornington Island does not have large-scale port facilities, so private or small vessels are the primary means of sea transport.
- Remote Access: Mornington Island is extremely remote, and travel options are limited. Flights are the most reliable and efficient method.
- Seasonal Weather: The wet season (typically from November to April) can cause disruption in travel, particularly affecting air travel schedules due to storms or heavy rain/
- Advance Planning: It is crucial to plan ahead and book flights in advance as seats may be limited and services not frequent.
Given the island's isolation, flying is by far the most practical and accessible way to reach Mornington Island.
- Telstra is the primary mobile network provider on Mornington Island. It offers 3G/4G coverage in the main settlement of Gununa and surrounding areas. However, the coverage may be patchy or limited outside of the main town.
- View Telstra's Coverage Map
With Thanks
Live North West Queensland would like to thank Mornington Shire Council for their support in developing this resource and continued support in developing regional north west Queensland. For further information visit the Council website and support resources.
