9 reasons you should escape reality and stay on Bedarra Island

Treat yourself to an exclusive entrance (and exit) in Bedarra Island Resort’s private helicopter. If you choose to depart from Cairns Airport, the 45-minute flight will take you on a scenic tour past Queensland’s highest mountains and across the very same coral Sea you’ll no doubt be snorkelling in soon after touching down on Bedarra Island. Those who opt to leave from Mission Beach will enjoy a bird’s eye view of the World Heritage-listed rainforest and surrounding Family Islands.

Can’t get to a chopper? No worries, the 20-minute water taxi service from Mission Beach to Bedarra is just as impressive – this boat has wheels, transitioning from water to dryland like a wonderful cross-breed of mechanics. 

2. You’ll practically have the island to yourself

You’re only sharing this adults-only island with 18 other guests, so chances are, you won’t see anyone else while you’re here. Plus, each of the 10 villas are hidden amongst the tropical rainforest for ultimate privacy and tranquility.

Each pad has a different layout (some with beach access, some with their very own plunge pool), although king-sized beds, a sleek beach interior, luxury baths, private sundecks and ocean views are guaranteed across the board.

Beyond your villa oasis, you’ll be spoilt with an all-inclusive package of three daily gourmet meals and a selection of beverages (including champagne and cocktails).

3. You can hire the entire island if you want even more privacy

Even though there are two bays, 45-hectares of land, and a dense forest of pandanus and palm trees between you and the other guests on the island, if you’re after even more privacy, you can also book out the entire resort to yourself.

It’ll set you back approx. $13,000 a night, but you’ll have the resort’s 10 villas and its restaurant at your disposal. We can’t think of a more memorable retreat for an intimate wedding or honeymoon. 

4. You'll be running on island time

You can leave your watch and wallet at home because once you step foot on Bedarra Island, you won’t need them. The resort is all-inclusive, which means no extra payments or hands constantly dipping into pockets.

With your hands free for activities, all that’s left to do is to let the sun dictate your schedule and let you know whether it’s lunch or dinner time.

5. You'll be treated to daily chef-prepared meals

This is not a deserted island where you need to worry about your taste buds getting bored. On Bedarra Island, the resort’s restaurant has you covered with a daily changing menu of breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus the all-important snacks in between.

Taking advantage of the exceptional fresh produce grown nearby on the mainland, local dairy vegetables and protein come directly from the Atherton Tablelands, tropical fruit is picked near Mission Beach, and the grass-fed beef is sourced from the pastures of Bingil Bay. As for the seafood, it’s caught fresh straight off the island’s coastline.

The restaurant’s beautiful view overlooks the pool, a 300-year-old Calophyllum tree and the glorious Hernandia Bay. However, if you feel like a change of scenery, order a gourmet hamper to take with you to the beach or pack it into the resort’s dinghies for a picnic on nearby deserted Pee Rahm Ahh Island.

6. There's local love at its heart

It might be a luxury resort, but home is where the heart is for Bedarra Island co-owner and operator, Sam Charlton.

Spending part of his childhood on the island, Sam explored every inch, aiming to one day own the property himself. Proving dreams can come true, he now owns and runs it with his wife, Kerri-Ann.

After the island was devastated by Cyclone Yasi, the Charltons bought, rebuilt and redesigned the resort to be less about quantity and all about a quality barefoot luxury experience

7. You don't have to sacrifice luxury for sustainability

You can sleep soundly at night knowing you’re staying in a luxury resort where a sustainable ethos pulls the strings.

Driven by a passion to protect this slice of paradise, the resort swapped out diesel generators for solar and turned the island’s desalination plant into a water storage space for natural spring water. In just six years, Bedarra Island has eliminated the consumption of 1.5 million litres of diesel fuel.

Bedarra Island also handpicks the food suppliers they work with, favouring local businesses that don’t use excessive packaging for their produce. They also compost their plant-based organic waste and use it to fertilise the island’s vegetable gardens.

If you’re looking for more inspiration for eco-friendly places to stay at in Queensland, check out this list.

8. You can explore the Reef whenever you want

If seeing the Great Barrier Reef on someone else’s watch is too pedestrian for you – visit anytime you please (during daylight hours that is) with kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, snorkelling gear available (all complimentary) from the resort. Simply launch at high tide from Wedgerock Bay and you’ll have Bedarra Reef all to yourself. You can also take one of the private dinghies out to one of the surrounding deserted tropical islands.

Of course, if you do prefer to have an experienced captain for your reef adventure, the manager can arrange a snorkelling, scuba or deep sea fishing charter for an additional cost.

Didn’t get enough of the helicopter on your way to the island? You can book a private scenic flight of the reef, too.

9. The island's not just for relaxing

It’s easy to get caught up in Bedarra’s carefree island vibes, but resist the urge to laze by the water all day long. You have an entire island to explore. The resort staff will point you in the direction of one of the four short walking tracks that crisscross the south-east pocket of the island. As you make your way through the rainforest, you’ll come out to uninhabited white-sand beaches and lookout points that are perfect for sunset picnics.

Spending time in Cairns before or after your Bedarra Island getaway? Here’s your ultimate guide to Cairns.