South Molle Island is a no-resort national park island off Shute Harbour, with South Molle Island camping at Sandy Bay South Molle and Paddle Bay plus South Molle Island walking tracks to Spion Kop and Mount Jeffreys. Bauer Bay South Molle is beach landing only while the private jetty stays closed.

🌅 Why Visit South Molle Island

This is one of the quietest national park islands close to Shute Harbour. There is no operating resort and no shop. The stay is bush camping at Sandy Bay and Paddle Bay, or a day landing for the tracks to Spion Kop and Mount Jeffreys. Boat only. No scheduled public ferry.

🏕️ Camping on South Molle Island

⛺ Sandy Bay — Open area, max 36 people, toilet, picnic tables, mid to high tide boat, main track start
⛺ Paddle Bay — Max 12 people, toilet, picnic tables, rainforest behind, Daydream Island views, track link at low tide
📋 Permit First — Book QPWS before you leave the mainland and display the tag
🔥 No Fires — Fuel stove only. No generators. No drinking water. No showers
🎒 Pack Out — Carry all food, water and rubbish. Phone coverage is poor
🐕 No Dogs — Prohibited at both camps and on every track
🚫 No Free Beach Camp — Only the two booked sites

🤿 Things to Do on South Molle Island

🥾 Walk the Tracks — Spion Kop, Mount Jeffreys, Balancing Rock, Sandy Bay and Paddle Bay
🤿 Snorkel the Fringe — Reef off the sheltered bays. Bring your own gear
🚴 Mountain Bike — Shared tracks from Bauer Bay and Sandy Bay. Walkers only on the Spion Kop stairs
🚣 Kayak the Bays — Calm water in Paddle Bay and Bauer Bay
🚶 Mid Molle at Low Tide — Sandbar walk from Paddle Bay. Check the tide before you cross
🎣 Fish — Shore and reef, check current zoning
📸 Lookouts — Passage and island views from Spion Kop and Mount Jeffreys
🚫 No Resort Day — The old Bauer Bay resort is closed. Do not plan a hotel lunch

🥾 South Molle Island Walking Tracks

🏔️ Mount Jeffreys — Highest point, 360 degree views. About 4 km one way from Sandy Bay, 3 km from Bauer Bay
👀 Spion Kop — Passage lookout. About 4.2 km one way from Sandy Bay, 2.35 km from Bauer Bay. Walkers only from the stairs
🪨 Balancing Rock — About 2 km return from Bauer Bay
🌄 Lamond Hill — Views back over the old resort bay and the mainland
🥾 Sandy Bay Track — Links the main camp to Bauer Bay, about 4.2 km one way
🚶 Paddle Bay Track — About 2.2 km return from Bauer Bay beach. Walking only onto the network
💧 Carry Water — No taps on the tracks. Start from Bauer Bay or Sandy Bay

⛺ South Molle Island camping

⛺ Sandy Bay — Open camping area with long sandy beach, toilets and picnic tables. Max 36 people.
⛺ Paddle Bay — Sandy site backing onto rainforest with views to Daydream Island, toilets and picnic tables.
📋 Permits Compulsory — Book online via Queensland National Parks before arrival.
🚫 No Campfires — Gas or fuel stoves only. No generators.
🚤 Boat Access Only — Tide-dependent at some sites. Commercial transfers available from Shute Harbour.

Sandy Bay South Molle

⛺ Main Camp — Open QPWS site on the west side, about 5 km from Shute Harbour
👥 Maximum 36 — No marked bays. Walk-in tents only
🚽 Toilet and Tables — Non-flush toilet, picnic tables and some shelter
🚤 Mid to High Tide — Shallow-draft boat or kayak. Mooring points on site
🥾 Track Start — Best launch for Spion Kop, Mount Jeffreys and the link toward Bauer Bay
💧 Bring Everything — No water, no showers, no fires, no generators
📋 Permit On Display — Book before you leave the mainland
🚫 Not Long Island — This is the South Molle camp, not the Long Island Sandy Bay site

🦘 Wildlife

🐢 Marine Life — Sea turtles, rays, dolphins and colourful reef fish along the fringing coral reefs.
🦘 Land Animals — Wallabies, goannas and butterflies in the bushland.
🦅 Birdlife — Kookaburras, sea eagles and tropical seabirds commonly seen.
🐋 Humpback Whales — Migrating whales can sometimes be spotted offshore during winter (June–October).

🛠️  Facilities & Accessibility

🚻 Toilets — Non-flush at Sandy Bay and Paddle Bay only
🧺 Picnic Tables — At both camps, some shelter
🚧 Bauer Bay Jetty — Closed after cyclone damage. Beach landing only, tide dependent
🚫 No Shops — No cafe, no fuel, no water, no hire gear
♿ Natural Ground — Sand, rubble and uneven tracks. Not wheelchair accessible
🚩 Unpatrolled — No lifeguards

🌞 Best Time to Visit South Molle Island

🌞 Best Time to Visit South Molle Island
☀️ May to October — Drier, milder, best walking and water clarity
🥵 November to April — Hot, humid, storm risk
🪼 Stingers — November to May. Suit up if you snorkel
🌊 Tide Windows — Sandy Bay mid to high tide. Bauer Bay beach landing tide dependent. Paddle Bay track link at low tide

🚤 Getting There

🚤 Boat Only — Private boat, yacht or a booked camping transfer from Shute Harbour or Airlie Beach
🚫 No Public Ferry — Do not turn up expecting a scheduled service
⚓ Landings — Sandy Bay mid to high tide. Paddle Bay by boat. Bauer Bay beach only
📋 Book the Boat First — Arrange the transfer before you buy the camp permit
💡 Check Alerts — Confirm the jetty and park alerts before you leave

💡 Local Tips

💧 Water Is on You — There is no supply on the island
👟 Shoes for Tracks — Rock, rubble and heat
🌅 Morning Crossings — Calmer water for the run from Shute Harbour
🐢 Snorkel Rising Tide — Clearer water on the fringe
📱 Assume No Signal — Tell someone your pick-up time
🚫 Stay Off the Resort — Closed private lease at Bauer Bay. Use the signed park path only

🌴 Nearby Attractions

🏝️ Long Island — Adults-only resorts, Sandy Bay camp and rainforest tracks
🏨 Daydream Island — Living reef lagoon and full resort
🏖️ Airlie Beach — Lagoon, shops and the mainland base
🚤 Shute Harbour — Closest terminal for many camping transfers
🏝️ North Molle — Separate island. Cockatoo Beach is not a South Molle camp

📅 Events & Markets Nearby

(All events are on the mainland — none occur on the island)

🥕 Airlie Beach Markets (Saturdays): Local produce, crafts, and tropical food stalls.
🎶 Airlie Beach Festival of Music (November): Major coastal music event.
🎄 Whitsunday Christmas Markets (December): Seasonal events along the foreshore.
🍉 Proserpine Harvest Markets: Local produce and handmade goods.

For a full list of what’s on in the region, visit the
👉 Whitsundays Attractions | Best Things to Do in the Whitsundays Region

🏨 Accommodation on South Molle Island

⛺ QPWS Camps Only — Sandy Bay and Paddle Bay. No cabins, no glamping, no resort
🚤 Stay on Your Boat — Anchor offshore and go ashore at a legal landing
🏨 Nearby Beds — Daydream Island, Long Island or Airlie Beach for a roof and a shower

🍴 Places to Eat & Drink

South Molle Island has no cafés, shops, or restaurants.
Visitors must bring all food and supplies.

• 🧺 Self-catered picnics only
• 🍳 Bring your own snacks, meals, and drinks
• ❄️ Cooler or esky recommended
• 🚮 All rubbish must be taken back to the mainland

🧭 Plan Your Trip to South Molle Island

South Molle Island is perfect for travellers seeking a peaceful, untouched Whitsunday experience. Plan your visit by booking a private boat or charter, as no public ferry operates to the island. Bring plenty of food, water, sunscreen, and snorkelling gear — no facilities or shops are available. Spend the day exploring quiet walking trails, relaxing on sheltered beaches, snorkelling fringing reefs, and enjoying panoramic views across the islands. Whether visiting for a day on the water or as part of a sailing adventure, South Molle Island offers an idyllic escape into nature.

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💙 Explore More Beaches Nearby

Discover more of the Whitsundays Region:
Boathaven Beach ➜ | Cannonvale Beach ➜ | Daydream Island ➜ | Hamilton Island ➜

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_{Last updated: June 2026}

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