Its name alone – Australia, conjures up images of spectacularly beautiful nature and wide-open space, unusual wildlife and unique flora found nowhere else on Earth, idyllic lifestyle of sun and sand and many amazing retreats, where travelers can experience ultimate relaxation and awesome holiday adventure.
One such retreat is the ultra-exclusive Makepeace Island on the naturally refreshing Sunshine Coast of Australia, sensitively developed to provide guests with the ultimate in privacy and seclusion, with all the attractions of the sunshine Coast just a short boat-ride away; the Great Barrier Reef is less than an hour by charter flight.
Co-founded by Sir Richard Branson and Australian businessman Brett Godfrey, the 25-acre island until now has been a private getaway for guests of the owners, but now, the world knows it as one of the stunning hotels on the globe, able to accommodate up to 22 castaways with a huge holiday budget (minimum of AUD 8,000 per night). The island can be booked by one group at a time, so if considering that this price is spread among 22 guests and includes transfers to and from Noosa, all meals, all non-alcoholic beverages, one barge dinner cruise, unlimited water skiing and kayaking and daily servicing of the property, including a lagoon pool, spa, outdoor cinema and grass tennis court, it’s not that bad!
At the center of the resort is the Long House ‘wantilan,’ a convivial open-sided structure with a stylish bar, and games room, ideally complimented by the adjacent pool and spa. A second two-storey wantilan – the place to dine, relax and socialize, overlooks the river. There is also a four-bedroom guesthouse, several two-bedroom villas and a boat house. It’s interesting to note that all the Makepeace buildings were designed and constructed in Bali and then shipped to Australia, while the furnishings, sculptures, antiques and lighting are brought from Indonesia.
Make yourself at home in one of the 11 air-conditioned bedrooms of the island rental, featuring private balconies or patios, as well as room amenities like iPod docking stations and minibars, desks and safes, espresso maker and ironing board, bathrobes and hairdryers in bathrooms, as well as free wireless high-speed Internet access to keep guests always connected.
The dining experience at Makepeace is again a pleasant one, as the island’s personal chief always prepares a menu using fresh ingredients, including much seafood. You can quench your thirst with an assortment of drinks at the property’s bar/lounge, and if rejuvenation and full relaxation is what you need, pamper yourself with onsite massages and facials of the spa.
Guests are also sure to appreciate the recreational amenities of the property. The activities offered on the island are enough to keep even the most adventurous guest entertained with a full size tennis court, Hobie cats, kayaks and equipment for wake boarding, water skiing, motor boating, and river fishing. In addition, guests can nearby find scuba diving, hiking trails, whale-watching, surfing and ecotours. Complimentary transportation is available, which includes a beach shuttle, an area shuttle, and a round-trip airport shuttle.
In the shape of a beautiful heart, the Makepeace Island is undoubtedly one of the most unique tourist destinations in the world. So, welcome to the dreamscape Makepeace Island to make the island entirely yours and enjoy barefoot luxury and ultimate relaxation that is second to none.
