Makepeace Island: a private heart-shaped island for whole-island rental
Richard Branson bought a heart-shaped island to escape from the rest of the world. Today, Makepeace Island on the Noosa River in Queensland is rented out in its entirety: you get villas, a spa, and a team of chefs at your full disposal. We looked into what's inside, what's nearby, and how to get to the dock.
The island sits in the rainforest along the Noosa River, about a 2-hour drive from Brisbane and 30 minutes from Sunshine Coast Airport. From the water, it really does look like a green heart. Officially, this is not a hotel but a private property for a single group of guests, so you won't run into outsiders here.
Makepeace Island has been available for exclusive rental since 2007 (according to the official website).
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What Makepeace Island is
💡 In short:
Makepeace Island is rented out in its entirety; individual villas and rooms cannot be booked.
Up to 22 guests in 11 bedrooms, with a 2-night minimum stay.
The last leg of the journey: 7 minutes by boat from the Noosa Marina dock.
Capacity, minimum nights, and villa composition: as of 09/2026, verified on the official website.
Makepeace Island is a private island resort, not a hotel. You rent the entire property, and your group has the island to itself. The grounds are compact, about 10 hectares of greenery, entirely given over to one party.
The island was named after Hannah Makepeace. She cared for this land for many years and later became its owner. The island was subsequently purchased by Virgin Group founder Richard Branson, who turned it into an exclusive resort.
There's plenty of wildlife here. A whole family of kangaroos lives on the island, and guests' dogs are welcome too.
© Chris Olszewski · CC BY-SAPhoto: Chris Olszewski, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsVillas and the Balinese house
Accommodation is designed for a maximum of 22 guests in 11 bedrooms and 8 bathrooms (as of 09/2026, official website). Guests are spread across three villas, the Balinese house, and the Boathouse by the water.
Accommodation type | Bedrooms | Feature |
|---|---|---|
North, South, Central villas | 2 each | One shared bathroom with a volcanic stone soaking tub |
Bali House | 4 | Private bathroom in each room |
Boathouse | 1 | Balcony overlooking the Noosa River |
The interiors are done in Balinese style. Teak furniture, antique sculptures and textiles from Indonesia, and plenty of cushions with bright patterns. The villas have a lagoon pool with a wooden bridge, and nearby there's a gym and a full-size tennis court.
One detail worth noting: in the villas, there's one large bathroom shared by two bedrooms, while in the Bali House and Boathouse each room has its own. For a group made up of several families, this is worth planning around in advance.
The villas stand in the garden, with wooden paths branching out between them. Each villa has its own terrace with woven rocking chairs, a comfortable spot for a leisurely breakfast without watching the clock.
If you'd rather stay near the island rather than on it, check out hotels in Noosa Heads on Trip.com.
The spa at Makepeace Island
Guests have access to a dedicated spa pavilion with a menu of massages, body wraps, and skin care treatments. The treatments are based on local plant oils and mineral blends drawn from the region's rich soil.
The program is tailored to the group. Some guests want relaxing sessions after a flight, others want something invigorating. Treatments are included in the stay package, so confirm the details when booking.
Open-air cinema
Here, movies are watched under the stars, not in a theater. You sit in chairs out in the open, and instead of a roof, the night sky stretches above the screen. Unlike drive-in theaters, nothing blocks your view: you can freely see both the film and the constellations over the river.
The movie is screened on request from the group, most often as part of a family evening. After a hot day, this format is more relaxing than a regular air-conditioned cinema.
Activities on the island
Fishing here is simple and straightforward: rods and bait are provided on site, and the chefs cook your catch for lunch. The island has its own dock and boat, so river cruises happen without outsiders. The Noosa River is especially beautiful at sunset, when the sky turns deep with color and the forest fills with sounds.
For active guests, there are kayaks, paddleboards, tennis, and basketball. Plus a 500,000-liter pool and a heated spa for 15 people (as of 09/2026, activities page on the official website).
- Who it's for: groups and families who value privacy and an active vacation.
- Not for: those looking for a regular hotel and wanting to book a single room.
- The catch: alcohol is not included; the island operates on a BYO basis.
What to see near Makepeace
Nearby lies Noosa North Shore with its small town and protected park. There, it's worth checking out the work of local artisans: furniture, sculptures, handmade toys, and jewelry made from shells and coral. Further along the coast stretch beaches with surf spots where both beginners and world champions ride the waves.
In Noosa Heads, the Coastal Walk begins in the national park. From Hastings Street to the park entrance, a coastal boardwalk runs for about 1 km, roughly a 30-minute walk (according to the Queensland Parks Department). Along the way, you may spot koalas and wallabies.
Another landmark near the island: Noosa Everglades, one of only two such wetland systems in the world (according to Visit Noosa). Here you can rent a kayak and paddle through calm water between the reeds.
© Kgbo · CC BY-SAPhoto: Kgbo, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsTours in the region are easier to book in advance: Sunshine Coast tours on GetYourGuide.
Great barrier reef and heart reef
From here you can actually reach the Great Barrier Reef, the largest reef system on the planet. It's considered the biggest structure ever built by living organisms. Divers call the reef the world's premier underwater park, and its diversity of life draws divers from every continent.
© Ayanadak123 · CC BY-SAPhoto: Ayanadak123, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsA separate reef legend: Heart Reef, a heart-shaped coral formation in the Hardy Reef lagoon. It's tiny compared to the reef itself, so the only way to see Heart Reef is from the air, by helicopter or light aircraft.
How to get to Makepeace Island
There are no direct flights to the island; you always travel via the mainland. Options and travel times are listed in the table (as of 09/2026, transfer details on the official website).
Option | Time and distance | Note |
|---|---|---|
Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY) | about 30 minutes | closest to the island |
Brisbane (BNE) | about 2 hours by car | international flights |
Noosa Marina jetty | 7 minutes by boat | final leg of the journey |
The small Noosa airport handles charters only, and it's also the departure point for scenic helicopter flights along the Sunshine Coast. From the Noosa Marina jetty, a boat picks up guests and takes them to the island free of charge.
Tours and tickets in Noosa
Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.
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Makepeace Island on the map
Makepeace Island lies at the mouth of the Noosa River, between Noosa Heads and Noosa North Shore. The map shows that the Noosa Marina jetty is a short boat ride from the island. Open the map to plan your route from your hotel on the mainland.
⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions
Can you book just one villa on Makepeace Island?
No. You rent the entire property for your group, so there will be no other guests on the island. The minimum stay is two nights, but most groups stay longer.
How many people can stay on Makepeace Island?
Up to 22 guests in 11 bedrooms. Accommodation is spread across three villas, the Balinese-style Bali House, and the Boathouse with a balcony over the Noosa River.
How do you get to Makepeace Island without a car?
There is no direct transport to the island. Fly into Sunshine Coast Airport, about 30 minutes from the jetty, or into Brisbane, which is roughly a 2-hour drive. From Noosa Marina, a boat takes you to the island in 7 minutes, and the transfer is included in your stay.
What's included in the cost of staying on the island?
The stay is fully catered: all meals are prepared by a chef and their team, and the menu is tailored to your group. Kayaks, paddleboards, fishing, tennis, the pool, and a spa for 15 people are included. Alcohol is not included; you bring your own.
What to see near Makepeace Island?
The Sunshine Coast: beaches with surf spots, the Coastal Walk in Noosa National Park, and the town of Noosa North Shore with local artisan goods. Further afield, it's worth getting to the Great Barrier Reef and the coral Heart Reef.
In short: what to book
If you're traveling with a group of up to 22 people, take the whole island: villas, spa, and the chef team are already part of the package. If you need a mainland base, look at hotels in Noosa Heads. For exploring the region, book tickets and tours in advance.
Noosa hotels on Trip.com · Brisbane flights on Kiwi.com · tours on GetYourGuide
A small editorial team writing guides for independent travel. We travel ourselves, but we haven’t been everywhere, so we check prices, opening hours and how to get there against official sources.