Families heading to Moreton Island will soon have a new way to spend a day by the beach, with Tangalooma Dunes Cabana Club set to open at Tangalooma Island Resort in spring 2026.
Billed as Australia’s first year-round beachfront cabana club, the new precinct will feature just 20 private cabanas overlooking Tangalooma Beach, each accommodating up to eight guests.
For families, the idea is pretty simple. You’ll have your own shaded and comfortable base for the day, where you can relax between trips to the beach and other island adventures.
What is the Tangalooma Dunes Cabana Club?
The new Cabana Club is currently under construction on the western side of Moreton Island in Queensland.
Rather than being positioned directly on the sand, the precinct will sit on the resort’s manicured lawns on the edge of the dunes overlooking Tangalooma Beach.
It will be located between the resort’s two main pools and close to bathrooms, showers and the Watersports Hub, with the Resort Centre and its food and beverage outlets also within walking distance.
The precinct is being developed in partnership with Carnival Cruise Line and will be available to Tangalooma resort guests, official day-trip visitors and Carnival Cruise Line passengers visiting the island.
What’s included in the private cabanas?
Each of the 20 cabanas has been designed to accommodate up to eight people and provide a comfortable place to spend the day.
Features are expected to include:
- Lounge and bench seating around a central table
- A dedicated fridge
- Ceiling fan and adjustable shutters
- Fresh beach towels
- Secure lock-up facilities
- Phone charging ports
- Ambient lighting
- Views across Tangalooma Beach
A selection of cabanas will also be wheelchair accessible.
Food and drinks will be available through a simple cabana service, with guests expected to be able to pre-order options such as light coastal bites, grazing platters and drinks. Guests will also have access to the resort’s existing food and beverage outlets.
Final food and beverage packages are still being developed.
Why families might like the new cabanas
While the Cabana Club isn’t exclusively for families, it’s been designed with them in mind.
One of the biggest advantages will be having somewhere shaded to retreat to throughout the day, particularly for families with younger children.
The location also means families can move between their cabana, the beach and nearby resort facilities rather than having to choose between a day relaxing on the beach and taking part in activities.
Tangalooma Island Resort already offers activities suitable for families, including wild dolphin feeding, snorkelling the wrecks, quad biking, sand tobogganing and more. It will depend on the age of your children as to what you choose.
The cabanas will essentially provide families with a private base to return to between their island adventures.
Can day visitors book a cabana?
Yes. You won’t necessarily need to stay overnight at Tangalooma to book one of the new cabanas.
Access will be available to guests staying at Tangalooma Island Resort as well as visitors travelling on an official Tangalooma Island Resort Day Trip. Cabana hire will be available as an optional addition to accommodation and day-trip packages.
Carnival Cruise Line passengers visiting Tangalooma will also be able to book cabanas through their cruise ship as part of an official shore excursion.
The precinct will also be available for full or partial private hire for events.
How much will a Tangalooma cabana cost?
Pricing hasn’t been announced yet.
Tangalooma says pricing, packages and booking windows are still being finalised. Initially, the resort plans to offer each cabana as a full-day booking, with the possibility of introducing shorter sessions in the future.
There are currently no plans for a mandatory minimum food and beverage spend on top of the cabana hire fee.
When does Tangalooma Dunes Cabana Club open?
Tangalooma Dunes Cabana Club is scheduled to officially launch in spring 2026.
Carnival Cruise Line guests will be able to book from 1 August, while the cabanas are expected to become available for individual bookings, special events, product launches and conferences from spring 2026.
An exact public opening date and pricing are yet to be announced.
Families interested in booking can register for updates and early-access booking information through Tangalooma Island Resort while the precinct is under construction.
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