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Bedarra Island Resort describes itself as barefoot luxurious and we agree.
Its luxurious lies in its secluded location, on an island that feels prefer it’s all for you, and its exclusivity with simply 12 villas hidden amongst the rainforest overlooking lovely, empty seashores.
With simply 24 company (adults-only), Bedarra gives a personalised expertise that’s uncommon to search out. We felt completely spoilt with scrumptious meals, free-flowing wine and cocktails (all included), and attentive service.
The resort doesn’t really feel stuffy or fancy, although. There’s no costume code, the employees is comfortable to speak over a cocktail, and we actually strolled barefoot from our villa to the seaside (maybe with a cheeky cease on the self-serve bar).
It’s the right place to get away from all of it for an ultra-relaxing, romantic break.
On this Bedarra Island Resort assessment, I share our expertise and what to anticipate together with the professionals, cons, and prices.
Contents
Notice: We paid our personal method at Bedarra and we aren’t associates of the resort. We simply actually loved our keep and needed to share it.
The place is Bedarra Island?
Bedarra Island is situated 10km off the coast of Mission Seaside in North Queensland, Australia. It’s a part of the Household Islands group (which incorporates Dunk Island) within the Nice Barrier Reef Marine Park.
Mission Seaside is 2 hours south of Cairns and three hours north of Townsville. See our information to the finest issues to do in Mission Seaside (it’s price including a while there earlier than Bedarra).
Cairns (CNS) is the closest airport with home and worldwide flights.
Though the resort feels prefer it’s on a non-public island, there are a couple of vacation leases on the opposite aspect of the island. The company there don’t come to the resort seaside and vice versa, so it nonetheless feels very secluded.
Arriving at Bedarra Island
You possibly can attain Bedarra Island by boat from Mission Seaside or by helicopter from Mission Seaside or Cairns.
We selected to take the boat as we have been staying in Mission Seaside earlier than our journey to the island.
The expertise began at their open-air lounge in South Mission Seaside the place we have been supplied champagne whereas we waited. Because it was solely 10am, we declined, however it’s a signal of issues to come back.
If you’re self-driving, you’ll be able to go away your automobile at their workplace and it’ll be ready for you on the seaside whenever you return.
The boat often leaves at 12.30pm, however they have been capable of take us over early. The ocean was tough for us so it was a slightly bumpy and loud journey (I appreciated my AirPods), but it surely solely took 25 minutes.
Impressively, the boat is on wheels, which makes getting out and in of the water a easy course of (and no moist toes)—they simply drive it over the sand and into the ocean.
Quickly we arrived in tropical paradise and have been greeted by supervisor Geoffrey with a refreshing glass of Pimms.
There’s no paperwork or check-in course of right here (you pay prematurely so by no means have to consider the invoice when you arrive)—we have been simply taken from the seaside down a path by way of the rainforest to the reception and restaurant space.
Arrivals are timed so you might be there simply in time for lunch, which is a really nice option to begin the journey and maximises your leisure time on the primary day.
Bedarra Island Villas
There are twelve visitor villas at Bedarra Island Resort. They’re all nestled within the rainforest with ocean views and every has particular options.
Some are simply steps from the seaside, whereas others are perched increased up within the bushes with spectacular views. Some have personal plunge swimming pools and others have expansive decks with day beds.
Until you e-book a yr prematurely (which is a good suggestion!), your selection shall be made by availability. We booked 5 months prematurely and there have been solely two villas out there for our three-night keep.
We selected The Treehouse Villa and completely cherished it!
The split-level room is big with an enormous mattress on the higher platform plus two wardrobes (the place you’ll discover yoga mats, which I appreciated).
On the decrease stage, there’s a big couch, desk, TV, and mini-bar space with a stocked fridge, sink, pod espresso machine, kettle, and snacks.
The entire room is mild and ethereal with screened home windows that allow the air flow into. The ocean breezes and followers have been sufficient to maintain us cool, however there may be air con if wanted.
It’s personal sufficient to sleep with the curtains open so we might see the ocean as quickly as we wakened. The sound of the lapping waves was a calming soundtrack to sleep to.
The lavatory has a shower with an exquisite ocean view (sadly, it was too sizzling for us to make use of) and a superb if unexciting bathe. The high-quality toiletries are in giant bottles.
The spotlight is the massive deck with probably the most unimaginable views of the ocean and seaside beneath. You might be surrounded by bushes, with a number of birds, and it feels personal although there’s one other villa subsequent door.
Once more, that is cut up stage with armchairs and an out of doors bathe on the higher stage, and a snug double day mattress and a few excessive stools on the decrease stage.
The daybed was by far my favorite place to hang around within the resort—such unimaginable views! We cherished to lounge right here within the afternoon with a bottle of champagne or after dinner to take a look at the celebrities.
We didn’t remorse not having a plunge pool as I favor to swim within the ocean and people rooms are no less than $500 an evening costlier. We might undoubtedly e-book The Treehouse subsequent time.
Our room was a few one-minute stroll to the restaurant down steps by way of the rainforest and one other jiffy right down to the pool and seaside. Different rooms are farther from the primary space, which has execs and cons.
If in case you have mobility points, I might examine with the resort on the very best choices earlier than you e-book as there are fairly a couple of steps. We did see one older couple get a carry again to their extra distant villa (The Pavilions are on the opposite seaside).
Notice that there aren’t any room keys on this very relaxed island.
Seashores
There are two seashores on the resort, each fairly bays of golden sand lined with palm bushes.
There are a couple of benefits over the mainland—there aren’t any jellyfish (even in the summertime) and no crocodiles. The water can also be clearer than at Mission Seaside, which may generally go brown after dangerous climate.
As every seaside is on a special aspect of the island, you’ll be able to select the one which’s most protected against the wind.
We spent our seaside days on Hernandia Seaside, the primary resort seaside, which is slightly below the restaurant and pool. It was calm even when the opposite aspect of the island (Wedgerock Bay the place the boats arrive) was windy.
There are solar loungers and hammocks right here, and even a enjoyable swing, however they’re discreetly positioned and the seaside by no means feels busy. You too can assist your self to kayaks and standup paddleboards, which we loved.
Though the island is within the Nice Barrier Reef, don’t count on good snorkelling. There’s no coral however you might be able to see fish. I noticed a turtle pop its head out of the water as soon as, however the water didn’t have the very best visibility for snorkelling throughout our keep.
Meals
The meals at Bedarra Island Resort is phenomenal—we have been so impressed by the standard, particularly on a distant island. They have been additionally capable of cater effectively for us as vegetarians (simply allow them to find out about any dietary necessities).
All meals are served at personal tables within the open-air restaurant above the pool and ocean beneath. There are additionally a number of personal eating nooks by the pool and seaside that they rotate company to (we had two meals in these).
They will additionally prepare a picnic lunch if you wish to be out and about through the day (as we did on our island journey—see beneath).
Breakfast is served from 8 – 10am. They begin by bringing tropical fruit, pastries, and contemporary juice to your desk, after which you’ll be able to select from the menu or a day by day particular. I loved the avocado toast and Simon saved going again for the three-cheese omelette.
Your room is cleaned if you are at breakfast so that you by no means have to fret about housekeeping coming at an inconvenient time.
A two-course lunch is served from 1pm. The menu adjustments daily and also you often have two choices per course (even us vegetarians). Every meal begins with a special, at all times scrumptious bread choice.
Lunch is kind of mild so we fortunately at all times had room for the scrumptious desserts. We loved a pumpkin curry, tofu poke bowl, avocado tacos, and a grilled halloumi and grapefruit salad.
After the 6pm cocktail hour, a three-course dinner is served from 7pm beginning with that fantastic bread. Once more, parts are pretty small so we have been at all times comfortably full by the tip of the leisurely meal.
Seafood options closely on the menu, however our vegetarian dishes often concerned fantastically introduced greens and delectable sauces. They could possibly be a bit mild on protein generally, but it surely all tasted so good we had no complaints.
When you get hungry through the day, you’ll be able to assist your self on the snack bar, which incorporates cheese platters, fruit, crisps, nuts, cookies, granola bars, and yoghurt. Some crisps and cookies are additionally left in your room.
Drinks
Alcoholic and smooth drinks are included in your keep and they’re freely out there all day.
The self-service bar subsequent to the restaurant is well-stocked with every thing you have to make a cocktail of your selection.
The intensive wine choice can also be wonderful and you’ll assist your self to a glass (or bottle) of French champagne from the fridge.
There’s a basket in your room and you might be inspired to restock your minibar everytime you need.
Cocktail hour encompasses a particular cocktail of the day (at all times wonderful, however the pineapple Aperol daiquiri was my fave) or they will make you something you’d like. It is a likelihood to speak with different company and we met some attention-grabbing individuals.
With dinner, there’s a advised wine pairing with every of the three programs and this by no means allow us to down, however once more, you’ll be able to choose a bottle for those who favor.
Truthfully, it’s straightforward to get carried away and we undoubtedly drank greater than we’re used to and ended up with a multi-day hangover after we left the island!
Amenities and Actions
The resort is all about leisure, however there may be nonetheless lots to do (all included in your keep):
- Kayaks and SUPs
- Swimming pool
- Health club (small however I don’t suppose many individuals use it)
- Lounge subsequent to the bar with books and video games
- Tennis courts
- Motorised dinghies (for exploring close by uninhabited islands)
Rainforest Mountaineering Trails
There are a number of mountain climbing trails on the island (ask for a map at reception) and we discovered these one of the simplest ways to work off the hangover earlier than breakfast!
Choices vary from quarter-hour to a number of hours and we by no means noticed anybody else on the paths.
We went to all of the lookouts and the very best view was from the East Lookout as you’ll be able to see the resort seaside.
This took us about half-hour return ranging from the restaurant. It’s a reasonably steep climb however not too tough. Take sturdier sneakers than flip-flops for those who plan to hike (mountain climbing sandals have been positive).
There are additionally longer walks to a number of different seashores on the island that we’d like to do if we return (hopefully!).
Discover a Abandoned Island
The resort offers dinghies so you’ll be able to discover close by uninhabited islands. Because the ocean was too tough on our go to, they dropped us off on a seaside on Wheeler Island within the larger boat as a substitute.
They supplied an umbrella, blanket, towels, and picnic lunch full with a bottle of wine of our selection.
It was enjoyable enjoying Robinson Crusoe for a couple of hours, though we have been feeling the warmth by the tip. I believe that is finest finished with a dinghy if potential so that you might be extra versatile on departure occasions.
Extra Actions Not Included
For a further payment, the resort may prepare massages, snorkelling and diving journeys to the outer reef, and scenic helicopter journeys. It’s finest to rearrange these earlier than you arrive.
We did our outer reef snorkelling journey whereas we have been staying in Mission Seaside with Mission Seaside Dive. We wouldn’t have needed to spend that a lot time away from the resort on a three-night keep, in order that labored out higher for us.
Bedarra Island Resort Highs and Lows
Highs
- Secluded personal island really feel (however easy accessibility from Mission Seaside)
- Stunning seashores
- Snug villas with superb ocean views
- Privateness and tranquillity
- Wonderful meals
- Plentiful, high-quality wine and cocktails
- Pleasant, useful employees who exit of their option to make your keep pleasing
- The whole lot is included so no invoice on the finish
Lows
There’s actually not a lot to complain about at Bedarra Island Resort. The excessive value is the most important problem, though contemplating every thing it contains and the exclusivity of the island, it’s actually not dangerous worth.
The one misstep on our go to was that they unintentionally dropped us off on a non-public island with a picnic lunch that wasn’t vegetarian. We managed to eat sufficient with the cheese and crackers and dessert, but it surely wasn’t superb.
The employees was actually apologetic, although, and so they handled us to a bottle of a premium dessert wine later (which often prices additional) as they knew we preferred dessert wines.
And another con—the hangover! Maybe we shouldn’t have taken fairly a lot benefit of the open bar.
How A lot Does Bedarra Island Resort Value?
The price per villa at Bedarra Island Resort begins from AUS $1890 per night time for the Pandanus Villa and goes as much as $3150 for The Level Villa. Our Treehouse Villa was $2090.
That’s for 2 individuals and contains all of your meals, drinks, and actions.
I like to recommend staying no less than three nights. 4 or 5 nights appeared extra frequent.
Transfers value additional. The boat from Mission Seaside prices $250 per couple every method and the helicopter is $400 every method.
The helicopter from Cairns (superb in case you are flying into Cairns) prices $1350 per couple every method.
Is Bedarra Island Resort Value It?
My expectations for Bedarra Island Resort have been very excessive—I’d been wanting ahead to our keep for months—however our expertise exceeded them.
We completely cherished our attractive villa (I miss these views), the gorgeous seaside, and scrumptious meals and drinks. It’s a particular place that’s excellent for severe leisure.
If you’re searching for a luxurious Queensland island resort, we will’t advocate it sufficient.
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