An abandoned southern Great Barrier Reef island off the coast of central Queensland, has seen guests visit for the first time in five years.

Key points: An abandoned private island has been leased by a hotels group which has redeveloped the space into an eco-friendly luxury camping resort

An abandoned private island has been leased by a hotels group which has redeveloped the space into an eco-friendly luxury camping resort Local traditional owners have expressed frustration that they were not consulted about the development of the land

Local traditional owners have expressed frustration that they were not consulted about the development of the land The resort aims to be sustainable and will close to guests for two months every year so as not to interrupt the annual bird-breeding season

Wilson Island is a natural coral cay 80 kilometres off the coast of Gladstone and 15 kilometres from Heron Island.

The tiny island is just 5.24 acres in size and is both part of the Great Barrier Reef, and surrounded by it.

The island was left abandoned by a former owner five years ago and in 2017 was bought on a rolling lease by Aldesta Hotels, which has since redeveloped the picturesque island paradise.

"It's such a unique experience over there," project manager Kevin Nixon said.

"It's like you're living in the middle of a bird sanctuary, you wake up there's turtles outside your room nesting."

Wilson Island is part of the Southern Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Gladstone. ( Supplied: Wilson Island )

Traditional owners disappointed about lack of consultation

Wilson Island is part of the land traditionally owned by the Port Curtis Coral Coast (PCCC) People, a group which is made up of four tribes — the Byellee, Gooreng Gooreng, Gurang and Taribeland and Bunda people.

The PCCC board consists of two representatives from each group and is responsible for managing the benefits of various Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUA).

But board member Kerry Blackman said he was unaware of any ILUA agreements made between the Government and the PCCC about the new development on Wilson Island.

Gooreng Gooreng woman Cherissma Blackman-Costelloe said it was frustrating to be left out of processes happening on their land.

Cherissma Blackman-Costelloe said it is disappointing the Port Curtis Coral Coast People were not notified of any redevelopment on Wilson Island. ( Supplied: Cherissma Blackman-Costelloe )

"All of this land and sea jurisdiction here, it does belong to a certain tribe," she said.

"We have the responsibility and obligation to care and care for country and land and sea management.

"At the end of the day all we want is the recognition and respect and then everything else comes after it if you do things in an open and transparent way."

Ms Blackman-Costelloe said it was a missed opportunity for the Government and developers to form beneficial partnerships with the traditional owners.

"They can form a partnership with all Indigenous traditional owners on those offshore reefs and islands," she said.

"That will then create economic development, it will create pathways for the future generations and I'm not talking only for traditional owners — it's for the wider community as well."

The Department of Natural Resources and Mines said in a statement "the island is State-owned land which is leased to Aldesta Wilson Island Pty Ltd under a rolling-term lease for business purposes until 2049".

The ABC has contacted the Department of Environment and Science for comment.

Luxury market for region

Wilson Island is a natural coral cay and is both part of the Great Barrier Reef and surrounded by it. ( Supplied: Wilson Island )

Gladstone's peak tourism body, Gladstone Area Promotion Development Limited, said the island will be a major drawcard for domestic and international visitors to the region.

"This just opens up another luxury market in our region," tourism manager Dominique Gleixer said.

"It's a completely different island experience to Heron Island … there's only 19 people able to be on the island at one time, with nine permanent designer tents, so it's a private exclusion and we're very fortunate to have this in the southern Great Barrier Reef here."

Eco-friendly fit out

There are nine reef cabins on Wilson Island and only 18 guests can stay at any one time. ( Supplied: Wilson Island )

It took 18 months for the island to be cleaned up and transformed.

"We had to fully refurbish," Mr Nixon said.

"Our small build team over there spent months and months bringing everything back to life."

Guests to the exclusive island must be over the age of 16 and it only sleeps 18 people at a time.

Mr Nixon said this also plays into the island's sustainable focus.

"We've got nine battery-powered luxury reef safari tents. We're 100 per cent solar," he said.

"They're [the tents] very understated but very luxurious at the same time … everything is all eco-amenities and 100 per cent native-Australian focus.

"We've got all septic installed, all new organic linen, eco-friendly mattresses, recycled timber mirrors and bedside lamps.

"We've got upcycled glassware and eco-friendly light fittings … no plastics at all."

Island to close for annual bird-breeding season

Staying in line with the island's sustainable efforts, it will close to guests for two months every year so as not to interrupt the annual bird-breeding season.

"[It will be] closing for a couple of months from January 28 to April 1 every year," Mr Nixon said.

"That's the peak of the bird season and that is their home, you're in the middle of everything that's going on while you're there and we just want to let them do what they want to do.

"We've got sea eagles and everything nesting over there."

Mr Nixon said management works very closely with Queensland Parks and Wildlife.

"Wilson is even more restrictive than Heron Island in terms of what we can do and how we do it. So we're constantly checking what we're doing is alright and going the extra mile," he said.