Luxury meets natural beauty on Jelena Belin’s secluded Bedarra Island sojourn.
As they say - the journey is the destination. And what a journey it is. After a quick flight with magnificent views over Cairns‘ tropical coastline we arrive on Dunk Island, only to be greeted by the blue Ulysses butterfly, the island’s symbol, and one of the staff, and then driven to the island’s peer. Here, our own private boat waiting, we are convinced – this must be paradise. And 30 minutes later, having seen Bedarra’s magnificent nature backdrop, we are proven right. A limousine is waiting for us, as well as two friendly staff who take care of our luggage and all other needs that one could have. Then, driving through lush, humid rainforest, a handful of pleasantly unobstrusive two storey bungalows appear, nestled among the coastline, right at the beach. Our expectations are high – and after a short stroll through the main house and our own private bungalow, are fully met.
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After having inspected the holiday essentials - hammock, mini bar, ocean view - we quickly begin to settle into Bedarra’s routine: push each other on the swing (hanging from a coconut tree on the beach), reading while lying on the day bed (overlooking the lagoon), ordering chocolate martinis from the well-stocked bar (all included) and dining on seafood, ten meters from where it was caught. Soon we forget about watches, keys or money, as you don’t need any of it on Bedarra. All food and drinks are included and the bungalows have no keys. Our watches are locked away in the room safe and we daren’t take them out and disturb Bedarra’s spirit - complete tranquility and relaxation, paired with a laid-back luxury.
The entertainment program is simple: food (smoked oysters with black caviar, anyone?), nature (tiny mudcrabs building their homes in the sand at sunset) and sleep (only interrupted by the ever-present rhythm of the sea and the tropical rain falling onto the trees). During the day we commute between the intimate common area for meals, the beach and our private bungalow.
As there are only a total of 16 rooms on the island, we rarely see other guests – the island is our kingdom and the staff lets us believe this is true. They act accordingly – unubstrusive but professional and attentive to detail. On Easter Sunday, after the second room service of the day, we find golden chocolate bunnies on our beds and as we depart a travel food hamper is prepared. There’s plenty of activities to choose from – tennis, watersports, a well-equiped gym and spa, exploring the island by foot – but only theoretical, as once you have handed in your action-driven routine at reception you won’t want to get it back until you leave.
The only distraction we allow ourselves from our luxurious existence is a private picnic on one of the island‘s magnificent lookouts. And while we indulge in Moreton Bay Bugs and Champagne we think of Justin Timerlake, who was on Bedarra last year. Apparently he came by helicopter. Well, as they say...