Bedarra Island Resort

Simply the best place I’ve ever stayed. You read about the island, the resort, the food , the beach, the open bar, but the absolute highlight is the quality of the SERVICE . Starting at the top with GM Geoffrey and owner Sam, the absolute focus on their guests is incredible. The guest information system is first rate, staff with new shifts already know your name, and food/ wine preferences. Nothing is forgotten. Your room receives bottles of wine you’ve previously enjoyed. We enquired about Campari availability 17 months before we arrived ; night one, bottle of Campari in our minibar! The food is exquisite , yet sensibly proportioned. Tip 1. You must take advantage of the private dining areas for lunch and evenings, but also don’t hesitate to have breakfast in the areas near the beach. Tip 2. Wines from the night before ( red and white) are in the bar area. If you’re wanting to have a mini tasting then next morning is perfect to try styles you may not have wanted with dinner. Tip 3. We are not really people persons, but enjoyed the pre dinner cocktail hour very much, interesting people, great cocktails and a chance to compare notes on favourite spots. Villa North East. We booked Villa North East more than 2 years before arrival. It was even better than it looks in the photos. It’s the most private Villa ,the deck and pool cannot be viewed from anywhere else in the resort. Despite the elevation it’s an easy 3 minute walk up 13 short flights ( 78 steps) or slightly longer via the cart track. If it’s raining, inclement or you are simply full, the resort staff will deliver you via electric cart to your door. The views from Villa North East are astounding, straight out to Dunk island, the pool is just the right size for lazing and the day bed is divine.

A year in advance, my wife and I decided to celebrate our 40th anniversary in a special way. After extensive research, we chose Bedarra Island Resort as our destination to support Australian businesses and enjoy an all-inclusive experience, allowing us to relax, reflect, and cherish our time together. Like its sister property, The Elandra, Bedarra Island Resort was heavily impacted by Cyclone Yasi in 2011. Both resorts were acquired and refurbished by new owners, Sam and Kerri-Ann Charlton, that same year. The resort now features 12 units, accommodating a maximum of 24 guests, ensuring an intimate and exclusive atmosphere. We began our journey with a night at The Elandra in South Mission Beach before our helicopter transfer to Bedarra. The Elandra set high expectations with its opulent guest rooms, color-coordinated fittings, and exceptional attention to detail. Arriving via a winding rainforest driveway, we felt immediately transported somewhere special. The open-air reception, with a backdrop of Dunk Island, created a stunning first impression. The welcoming reception staff made a room available for us despite our early arrival, adding to the sense of luxury and anticipation for our Bedarra experience. We were greeted by Sam around 11:30 am the following day, who informed us our helicopter transfer to Bedarra would soon take place. He personally escorted us to the helicopter, and while the transfer only took 5 minutes and 17 seconds, we felt the $800 fare didn’t offer good value; an arc over Dunk Island would have been a nice touch, and we would recommend the launch transfer instead. Upon arrival at Bedarra, we were welcomed by Kerri-Ann, whose warm and bubbly personality made us feel special right from the start. In our opinion, Kerri-Ann is the island’s greatest asset, her exuberance setting the tone for a truly memorable stay. We were greeted with cocktails and led along a beautifully manicured crushed coral pathway through tropical gardens to the reception and dining area. The dining room overlooks the ocean through lush gardens and the pool, with multiple private dining decks scattered throughout. During our seven-night stay, we enjoyed meals on all of them, each offering a private and unique experience. Bedarra’s staff are attentive and friendly, and the owners have clearly selected the best in hospitality, though most are backpackers with high turnover. Geoffrey, the manager, has been with the resort for around ten years, providing some continuity. Most staff addressed us by name, making us feel valued, however we did notice a difference in service when Kerri-Ann or Sam were on the island, with staff seeming more engaged and cheerful under Kerri-Ann’s leadership. The island’s luxury is defined by its intimate guest count, open bar, and attentive service, all set in a stunning location with unique wildlife, including snakes, skinks, and curlews. We had informed the resort at the time of booking that we were celebrating our 40th anniversary and had arranged a private dinner on August 25th. While the table was provided, we were disappointed that the occasion wasn’t acknowledged, either verbally or with a note on the daily menu which could have been so easy. This missed opportunity left us feeling let down on what should have been a special day. Communication about the transfer process was poor. Despite arriving at the Elandra with no clear instructions on the helicopter transfer, reception staff assured us everything was arranged and would be confirmed the next morning. This lack of communication felt unprofessional, particularly given the 10 am checkout and our 1 pm helicopter departure. While staff were accommodating with luggage storage, we felt stuck at The Elandra due to unclear transfer timings. On the island, we stayed in one of the two Pavilions for seven nights. They did not live up to the opulence of The Elandra. The Pavilion’s decor felt basic, lacking the thoughtful details we had enjoyed previously. There were also maintenance issues, such as protruding nails on the deck, a difficult fly-screen door, poorly functioning glass doors, and paint splatters on windows that went unresolved. Housekeeping was inconsistent; surfaces were not wiped regularly, and we had to request mopping on one occasion. Gecko droppings in the lounge area were never cleaned. The kitchen’s snack options between meals were limited to small packets of chips, nut mixes, and basic cheese selections, which we felt could be improved. The coffee and chai offerings were also lacking, relying on pod machines rather than an all-in-one automatic machine that would provide a better experience for both staff and guests.

We spent four days on Bedarra Island, and it truely is luxury at its finest. The accommodations were excellent (and private), the service from each and every member of the team was exceptional and nothing was ever any trouble. From General Manager Geoffrey down, it was obvious there was a singular focus on ensuring that we just had a perfect stay. As Geoffrey arrived back from his days off on the same day that we arrived, we had the pleasure of also meeting the owners of the resort - Sam who was running the shuttle to the water on the mainland, and Kerri-Ann who was taking care of Geoffrey's role while he was away. During our welcome and introduction to the resort, Kerri-Ann said three things that resonated with us and set the scene for our stay. The first was while showing us a large fully stocked fridge, that 'if at any time we'd like a bottle of champagne, please feel free to take one and take it back to our room'. The second was while showing us the library, to 'help ourselves to any book that we'd like to read, and if we're not finished by the time we leave then just take it with us, as it all works out with books coming and going'. The third thing was that "if there's anything that isn't working out exactly how we'd like it to be, please just let them know as they're able to change anything at all for us during our stay'. From that point we certainly knew that we would indeed have a perfect stay at Bedarra Island Resort. One final point also, The Elandra Resort at Mission Beach, where you check in for Bedarra, is their sister property; and it's well worth staying at on the way if you're arriving into Mission Beach before the day of your transfer to Bedarra.

This Island is a unique blend of tranquility and activity. It caters for those seeking rest and recouperation as well as those who wish to be hyper active (of whom there are ever only a few thankfully!) The staff are always there to help but never intrusive. The catering is excellent without being over the top! The accommodation is very comfortable and-importantly- very private. The cost is not inexpensive but worth every penny!! If you miss visiting Bedarra you have missed one of the most pleasurable holiday experiences available in Australia.

We had such a wonderful experience at Bedarra Island. It was picture perfect, the water was beautiful, the facilities were lovely and it has such a relaxing and peaceful vibe you don’t want to leave. The staff at the island are so beautiful and friendly, they are all so attentive to you when you are there and make you feel so comfortable, help you to make sure you’re ok and enjoy your time at the Island. The food is absolutely delicious and presented so beautifully, it’s so tasty and we enjoyed every dish that was served to us. From sun rise to sunset there is nothing you can fault at Bedarra Island from our experience. A big thank you to all the staff and the masseuse also for an absolutely beautiful experience of having a massage done just steps away from the beach whilst listening to the water crashing on the sand