SERIOUSLY SENSUAL BEDARRA
Seriously Sensual Bedarra - Luxury Travel Magazine
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Seriously Sensual Bedarra | |||||
| By: Merry Kirkwood, Issue 26 - Autumn 2006 | |||||
| (Bedarra Island, Queensland) | |||||
| FOR THE LUCKY FEW WHO STAY ON BEDARRA AT ANY ONE TIME, THIS QUEENSLAND ISLAND IS ALL ABOUT INDULGENCE AND ROMANCE. | |||||
| Gliding gracefully above us, the eagle’s wings dip and weave across sparse tufts of cloud, then slice through a vast royal blue sky. Gentle wavelets hardly disturb the silence as they brush the shore. As we scan Bedarra’s panorama (our journey now over, bags unpacked, champagne on ice) we soak up this island image of calm, spectacular beauty – much like the eagle flying overhead. A short stroll from our beachfront Villa, we have stumbled onto Wedgerock Bay on Bedarra’s southern shore – a peaceful haven perfect for absorbing the pleasures of this Queensland island location. All along the near-white coral littered sand, a handful of dinghies loll near waters-edge, full of the promise of adventures to come. Out on the point, a huge sentry-like stand of boulders dips into the clear water, on permanent lookout for the occasional pod of dolphins or inquisitive turtle that swims past. Three pairs of squeezy-soft lounges soak up the sun in anticipation of the guests-of-the-day yet to arrive – all specifically aligned at a ‘privacy respected’ distance from each other. This is, after all, a romantic island paradise, with a thoroughly sensual nod to all manner of summer-like indulgences. With only 12 beachside Villas, two ocean-facing Point Suites, and two exclusive Pavilion Suites nestling into the cliff tops overlooking Wedgerock Bay, the island offers a slice of private pampering that so many of us crave. As Bedarra’s magic takes over, we plop ourselves onto the nearest lounge, lather each other with sunscreen, and take up the wonderful ‘read/doze/turnover/ dip and cool off’ routine that will fill many hours of our break away. Only a short flight south from Cairns, and a water-launch ride across from Dunk Island, Bedarra feels far from the everyday (just as it was in the days of Captain James Cook who chartered these Family Islands in 1770), yet it maintains an easy Australian ‘take’ on a sophisticated internationally acclaimed island experience. Owned by Voyages Resorts, and extensively refurbished over the last five years, there is little wonder that there are whisperings of whole-island bookings, where celebrity or small-groups enjoy Bedarra Island lock, stock and barrel. Not that ‘locks’ are really a feature of the island, as Resort General Manager Jackie McKeown explains in her personalised guest welcome, “Bedarra is a key-less island. We’re all pretty relaxed here”. Keyless, and delightfully cashless, since Bedarra’s all-inclusive tariff means that all meals are part of the overall experience of Bedarra’s guests. Not surprisingly, it is with some reticence that guests leave their suites at all. From the soft-on-the-toes timber floorboards up, the villas can be described as a haven of modern comfort and decadence perched in the trees: or a ‘five-star super cubby house’, as one fellow guest declares. Decorated with clean white walls and neutral coloured furnishings, the split- or two level individual villas and larger suites feature comfy king-sized beds, generous bathrooms with full-length rainforest or ocean outlooks, and an appealing touch of warm natural cedar mixed with fresh beach touches. From all points in the villas, there is a view to the water through tall stands of rainforest, full of palm fronds and twisted vines. Suites have more elevated positions (and more indulgent inclusions). Both levels of our villa have a verandah adorned with a table and chair setting – just waiting for the afternoon ice bucket to be delivered. Making sure your favourite tipple is on ice is essential to your Bedarra experience, as is planning a legendry gourmet picnic for a Bedarra private beach or cove. Pre-select from a menu of local seafood, superbly inventive salads and gourmet snacks and delectables, all packed into a hamper that is popped into your dinghy along with an umbrella, cutlery and glasses, and of course your specially selected drinks, by friendly and attentive staff. This is a ‘champagne’ island experience, where picnickers bask in year-round Bedarra warmth (that sees temperatures hover between 23 to 30 degrees Celsius) and sea temperatures encourage a lazy swim or snorkel, as well as an abandoned swimsuit or two. Visit nearby Dunk or Twin Islands (or take an inquisitive romp around abandoned ‘Bedarra Hideaway’ on the other side of the island), then rest under your brightly coloured umbrella, fine Chardonnay in hand, and plan to snorkel, swim, and sleep for the rest of the day. Not that the island is short of vigorous options to enjoy. With catamarans and paddle-skis, a string of nature trails crisscrossing the island, a tennis court, swimming pool and spa (not to mention private wet-edge pools in each of the pavilions and point suites), a small gym and internet centre, and a massage therapy treatment room, it’s little wonder guests can be found at day’s end flopped in their hammock, or stretched out on the day beds overlooking Hernandia Bay. For the more adventurous, trips to the Great Barrier Reef can be arranged, as can game fishing experiences, golf on the nearby 18-hole Dunk Island course, horse riding, parasailing and water skiing. All meals are served in the indoor-outdoor central restaurant/bar pavilion over-looking the pool deck and the glossy green arbour of the giant Hernandia fig that gives the main bay its name. As part of the all-inclusive island tariff, guests have a free choice from the adventurous and creative breakfast, lunch and dinner menus (think char grilled hoi sin emu, or tempura battered mangrove jack for lunch, and saffron custard filled sea urchin with cane cured ocean trout or housemade cajun linguini for dinner). Mealtimes form part of the pleasure routine, and are a highlight of a Bedarra stay. In the late afternoon, as the wind whips across the bay, ‘our’ eagle appears overhead once more. We lie on our backs in the lengthening rays of setting sun and follow his circling flight, flushed with a new sense of relaxation. This Bedarra Island experience might not be solely hedonistic after all, but has lifted our spirits as well. | |||||
| Details: | |||||
| Virgin Blue flies to Cairns from all major Australian cities Bookings, 13 67 89, www.virginblue.com.au. MacAir Airlines flies guests from Cairns to Dunk Island, where a water launch ferries guests direct to Bedarra. Bookings, 1800 622 247, www.macair.com.au | |||||
| All inclusive stay in Bedarra Island starts from $720 per person per night (beverages not included) from April 1. Bookings, 1300 134 044, www.voyages.com.au ROMANTIC ISLAND ESCAPES: - Hayman, QLD, www.hayman.com.au | |||||
| - Lizard Island, QLD, www.voyages.com.au | |||||
| - Orpheus Island, www.orpheus.com.au | |||||
| - Hamilton Island Villas, QLD, www.hamiltonisland.com.au | |||||
| - Capella Lodge, Lord Howe Island, www.lordhowe.com | |||||
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