Makepeace Island facts for kids
Makepeace Island
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Noosa River |
| Administration | |
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Australia
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| State | Queensland |
| LGA | Virgin Group |
Makepeace Island is a special heart-shaped island resort. It is located in the Noosa River on Australia's beautiful Sunshine Coast. This unique island is owned by two famous business people: Brett Godfrey and Sir Richard Branson. Sir Richard Branson is known for starting the Virgin Group.
Makepeace Island is Sir Richard Branson's home in Australia. It can host up to 22 guests at a time. The island has three villas with two bedrooms each. There is also a large Bali House wing with four bedrooms. Guests can enjoy a tennis court, a movie theater, and a big Balinese-style building called a wantilan. The island also features a huge 500,000-liter swimming pool, an indoor bar, and a dining area.
The Island's Story
This island was once known as Pig Island. It got its current name, Makepeace Island, from a woman named Hannah Makepeace. She worked on the island for many years as a housekeeper. Her employer, Charles Nicholas, left the island to her when he died. This was a gift for her loyal service.
Hannah Makepeace lived on the island until she passed away in 1973 at 89 years old. She was known as a very interesting person in the local community. After Hannah died, the island belonged to the state for some time.
A New Beginning
In 1986, an artist named Brian Spencer bought the property. He decided to rename it Makepeace Island to honor Hannah. This kept her memory alive.
Later, in 2003, Brett Godfrey and Rob Sherrard bought the island. Then, in 2007, Sir Richard Branson bought Rob Sherrard's share. This made Sir Richard Branson a co-owner with Brett Godfrey.
Soon after, work began to turn the island into a fancy luxury resort. The design of the property was a team effort. Christopher Thomas and Mark Alexander worked with Brett's wife, Zahra Godfrey. They wanted to create a beautiful Balinese theme for the island.
The island's gardens and indoor spaces are filled with amazing things. You can see giant sculptures, smooth teak wood, and stone finishes. There are even bathtubs made from volcanic boulders! The lighting and furniture were specially chosen. Many pieces came from Bali, Java, and other parts of Indonesia.
In July 2011, Makepeace Island officially opened. It was called 'Sir Richard's Australian Home'. From then on, people could rent the entire island for their own private use.
A Private Getaway
After the building work finished in 2009, Makepeace Island became a special place. The owners used it for family holidays. It also hosted events for Virgin Australia. Famous people visited the island. For example, the hip hop group the Black Eyed Peas and photographer Russell James attended the island's launch party.
In 2013, the island was even featured on a TV show. It appeared on the Seven Network's music competition, The X Factor. Judges Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Guy Sebastian stayed on the property during the show.
The island is a perfect place for a private escape. It can host up to 22 guests, offering a very exclusive experience.
