Makepeace Island is Sir Richard Branson's private Australian home: a 25-acre heart-shaped island floating in the Noosa River on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, minutes by private boat from Noosa Heads. Completed in 2009 as an authentic Balinese sanctuary and opened for exclusive hire in 2011, it remains the Branson family's retreat when they are in Australia, and welcomes guests only when they are away.
Accommodations & Design
Three Master Villas: oversized two-bedroom villas scattered around the island, each with a four-poster king master opening onto a river-view deck, a second bedroom in king or twin configuration, and a vast bathroom built around a carved volcanic boulder bath.
Bali House: four private bedrooms with hand-carved Balinese furnishings, individual decks and ensuites, arranged for relaxed barefoot-luxury group living around the main entertaining area.
The Boathouse: a romantic one-bedroom retreat on the river's edge with uninterrupted Noosa River views and sunrise-to-sunset panoramas from its private balcony.
Capacity: up to 22 guests across the island, always on an exclusive whole-island basis. One group, no strangers, ever.
Design: teak, granite and stone finishes, giant sculptures, silk furnishings and antiquities commissioned across Bali and Java, set against Australian bushland alive with kangaroos and native birds.
Dining
Private chef: multi-award-winning chef Zeb Gilbert designs every menu around the group, drawing on South-east Asian, Japanese, Mexican and Italian repertoires with an emphasis on local organic produce and responsibly harvested seafood. All meals are included, from poolside barbecues to cooking classes and wine appreciation evenings.
Wellness & Activities
On the water: the island's own riverboat with limitless river transfers, plus kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, tubing, river fishing, sunset river cruises and beach picnics on the North Shore dunes.
On land: a 500,000-litre lagoon pool, 15-person heated spa, full-size tennis court, gym, basketball, walking trails, a media room and an outdoor moonlight cinema.
Beyond the island: guided walks through World Heritage-listed Fraser Island and the Great Sandy National Park, or horse riding on North Shore's white sand dunes.
Service
A dedicated island team looks after every detail, with twice-daily housekeeping and everything from butler baths to kids' craft activities arranged around the group.
How Private Is This Island?
Makepeace is whole-island hire only: one booking, one group, the entire 25 acres. Reached by private boat along the Noosa River, with no bridge access and no day visitors.
Getting There
Fly to Sunshine Coast Airport (Maroochydore), about 45 minutes by road, or Brisbane, about two hours. Private boat transfers from Noosa Heads take minutes, with limousine transfers available on request.
Sustainability
The island runs on a farm-to-table philosophy: its own vegetable gardens, chickens and honey, wastewater purification and recycling, plus a Conservation Fund receiving a share of every stay for local education, wildlife and community projects.
