Ultra-exclusive island resort loved by royals and Elton John poised for sale
A luxury island retreat off the coast of Queensland, favoured by celebrities, royals and sports stars, is poised for a market listing.
The Bedarra Island Resort, on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef, is an exclusive enclave with just 12 private villas, each hidden among 45 hectares of tropical rainforest.
Opened in 1986, the resort counts British music icon Elton John, Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York and Aussie swimming champion Kieren Perkins among its guests.
The resort has been run by Sam and Kerri-Ann Charlton, of the family-owned hospitality company the Charlton Hotel Group since 2011.
The Charltons bought the resort shortly after it was damaged by Cyclone Yasi.
Sam’s connection with the island began in 1984 when he visited on a childhood holiday.
Back then, the resort was a small-scale homestead style retreat. It was also for sale.
Enamoured by their surroundings, Sam’s parents, Margie and Murray, decided to bid for the property at auction.
Their island dreams were initially dashed, with the property and land selling before auction to the owners of nearby Dunk Island.
Years later, they bought a small portion of the island after a chance introduction with former Bedarra local, and renowned artist, Noel Wood.
By 1986, the Charlton family lived on the island, with Margie homeschooling her two sons.
The family would eventually sell up in the early 1990s. Sam vowed to one day return.
“The devastation of Cyclone Yasi in 2011 wreaked havoc on Bedarra and forced the closure of the resort – but also helped make Sam’s prophecy a reality,” a statement on the company’s website read.
He returned to the island with his then future-wife to inspect the tangled mess of fallen trees and buildings. He wasn’t deterred. The resort was re-opened in 2013.
Now, 12 years later, it’s Sam’s turn to bid farewell.
“Bedarra Island is a pioneer in the luxury lodge sector and affords new ownership with
keys to what is regarded as one of the most profitable island resorts in the country,” CBRE Hotels Asia Pacific Tom Gibson said in a statement.
Gibson is managing the sale of the resort and the adjoining Hideaway parcel with 35-hectares of land with CBRE Hotels Asia Pacific colleague, Wayne Bunz.
Once owned by Australian Airlines, the Hideaway parcel is a “blank canvas” with north, west and south-facing beaches.
It also has stunning views over the Family Group of Islands, Coral Sea and surrounding mountains.
“This is a truly generational opportunity to acquire the only freehold island resort in Australia, along with the adjoining Hideaway parcel that presents the opportunity to significantly enhance the scale of the existing resort, or to build your own private luxury hideaway,” Bunz added.
The island sale is through an international expressions of interest campaign which closes on Friday, October 31.
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