Looking for an ultra-exclusive locale for your next Australian holiday? Then Virgin tycoon Richard Branson's island on the Sunshine Coast might be your answer.
Holidaymakers can now "rent" the British billionaire's private leisure haven, Makepeace Island, located 20 minutes from Noosa in Queensland.
Once a muddy patch of land floating in the Noosa River, this 9.2 hectares heart-shaped island has been transformed into an ultra-luxurious Balinese-style retreat.
Branson, who bought the island in 2007, and Brett Godfrey, co-founder of Virgin Australia, have used Makepeace as a location to party with friends, family and staff.
But now Branson, who says Noosa is his "favourite place in Australia", has announced the island will be available for rent.
"When neither Brett nor myself are visiting Makepeace, we will make the island and its facilities available for others to enjoy the tranquility of what is a very special place," Branson said.
The property features a main long house with a giant bar, a four-bedroom guest house, several two-bedroom villas, a boat house and a lagoon pool with a lap lane, dive spots and a 15-person spa.
It can accommodate up to 22 guests.
The island, once called Pig Island, has its own riverboat to transfer guests, full-sized tennis court, outdoor cinema, two-storey open-air Balinese wantilan "for relaxing and gatherings", a games room and office facilities.
Makepeace is available for whole of island rental only. It costs $7900 a night for between one and eight guests and up to $14,990 a night for between 20 and 22 guests.
Branson also owns Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands. It costs $US53,000 ($A49,380) a night to hire the Balinese village-style accommodation for up to 28 friends.
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