Exploration of South Molle Island, Whitsundays, Australia

Exploration of South Molle Island, Whitsundays, Australia

South Molle Island is a small 4.5 square kilometer island, which is only a few hours from Airlie Beach and Shute Harbor.

The island was a popular tourist attraction
in the 1950s and 60s due to the now abandoned Bauer Bay Resort Alt = "drone image from the air of South Molle Island">

Molle island group

The Molle island group is cheaply in the heart of the Whitsundays. South Molle is the largest of the four, with North Molle and Mid Molle right in the north.

at low tide the water sinks and you can walk over to the island of Mid Molle.
Alt = “South Molle and Medium Mollinsel“>
Daydream Island is located in the west and was once called West Molle Island. I think the name has it all. Daydream is still a busy luxury hotspot, while the rest is practically abandoned.

I will hopefully convince you that this island near Airlie Beach is a much better alternative if you have the means to get there.
Alt = “North Island Molle">

Sailing and anchorage information

South Molle Island offers the best anchorage for people who sail or cross on Whitsunday Island. The best anchorage in developed southeast Passatwinden is at the northern end of South Molle Island, known as Bauer Bay.

There are several buoys on the east side of this bay. These buoys used to be used for boats that wanted to have access to the resort.

The best anchorage in the bay is right next to this buoy. The elongated cliffs from Spion Kop offer good protection, but can produce some powerful balls in strong winds.
Alt = "Anchorage of the South Island Molle">

Read the Sailing Log of Whitsundays: Sailing Log week 3-Sailing to the southern Molle Island

South Molle Island

South Molle Island has three high points and is surrounded by hilly grassland. There are several remote bays to explore with hem reefs.
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Most travelers and backpackers head for the Whitsunday Islands and the Hamilton Islands. However, if you have the time and want a whole tropical island for yourself, then you should definitely drop by South Molle Island.

South Molle Island left resort

The once busy resort in Bauer Bay is now completely left. The South Molle Island Resort was destroyed in 2016 during the cyclons Debbie.
Alt = "abandoned Resort South Molle Island">
A few months earlier, in the same year, the resort was sold to new Chinese owners for a total of $ 25 million. This included the resort and a land lease.

I am sure that they weren't too happy after they were forced to go down and give up. However, while we were on South Molle Island, the owners landed by helicopter. We were told that they are already planning the reconstruction.
Alt = "South Molle Island abandoned resort">

Hikes and bush hikes on South Molle

The resort takes up a large part of Bauer Bay's beach, but the rest of the island is a national park.

There are several hikes on the island, some of which lead to the peaks of the viewpoints and other to small, remote bays.
Alt = “Hiking on the Molle island group in the Whitsundays”>
The area mainly consists of grass -covered hills with pockets made of dense rainforest. The QLD national parking authority does an excellent job to keep the routes open. There are even some old signs for mountain bike routes that are wide and well-kept.

All routes on the island start at the western end of Bauer Bay Beach. At the start there are national park signs and weathered hiking information boards.

Spion Kop-Out viewpoint

The highlight of the viewpoints and hikes on South Molle Island is the spy Kop Lookout. It takes about 1-2 hours from the beach to the viewpoint.
Alt = “Sailing according to South Molle Island in the Sailing Protocol of the Whitsunday Islands”>
This large, vertical rock wall protrudes from the northeastern tip of the island. The rock wall is crowned with local bushes and some lonely pines.

The route winds up behind the abandoned resort, through dense rainforest and over some gentle, grassy hills. The end of the hike has a wooden footbridge, but they are rewarded with the best view on the top of the rock.

From above you can look over Bauer Bay, the middle and northern Molle Islands and even to the mainland. On the other hand, you have a wide view of Hook Island and the Whitsunday Islands.
Alt = "view of the spy kop">

Balancing Rock Lookout

Balancing Rock Lookout is another epic viewpoint on South Molle Island. This walk is much closer to the resort and only lasts 30-40 minutes.
Alt = “balancing rock outlook Südinsel Molle”>
Follow the signs up and around the bay until you reach a ledge on which you can climb up. Go on and climb around the corner to have a look at Bauer Bay, the Resort and Daydream Island on the other. Alt = "Daydream Island-Blick by South Molle Island">
old = "balancing rock view point">

Camping on South Molle Island

We didn't play on the island because we had our boat, but there are campsites in Paddle Bay and Saddle Bay. However, remember that it is a national park and that camping permits and fees are incurred.

Take a look at the cards and details here to get current information about Camping on South Molle Island.

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• Alt = "South Molle Island in the Whitsundays, Queensland">
• Alt = "Bauer Bay South Molle Island Ankerplatz sunset">
• Alt = "South Molle Island Drone">

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