As travellers embrace exclusive-use escapes for unforgettable experiences, this heart-shaped patch of paradise on the Noosa River reflects a growing appetite for once-in-a-lifetime stays.

Nobody seems alarmed an eight-year-old boy is steering the barge into the sunset. Everyone keeps sipping their cocktails, even as we drift rail-grippingly close to mangroves on the port side of the Noosa River. It’s largely because the sunset has cinematically silhouetted the Glass House Mountains and all eyes are on phones, trying to snap the perfect facsimile of nature in a 4:5 aspect ratio.

But it’s also because everyone onboard has absolute faith in the stewardship of the vessel. Which, despite appearances, is not in the hands of a child. Rather, it is under the wide-smiling guidance of host Trevor Aylward and his young skipper, Oli Cooper, who are chartering guests of exclusive Makepeace Island resort down the shimmering waterway as beats fade into the evening.

So light-touch, yet pre-emptive, is the service of Trevor and the rest of the Makepeace Island team, that the moment you set foot on the secluded retreat one seems to lose all capacity to organise oneself. Whims are anticipated, moods imperceptibly managed and every request intercepted before it can be made – all in the endeavour to help you feel as unburdened as possible. As such, the fact a minor is at the helm has no feathers ruffled. All attachment to such responsibilities were left behind at the marina as we left the grind behind (except, as the mother of the boy, some responsibilities have followed me).

From an aerial view, the 10-hectare Makepeace Island looks like a fish’s head emerging from the water to take a bite out of neighbouring Sheep Island. The only freehold island fully girt by water in the Noosa River, few people even know it’s here, much less what’s here. This is evident by the craning necks from passing vessels as we fish from the jetty one dusk-lit evening with staff on-hand to offer refreshments and baiting.

Where is Makepeace Island, Noosa?

Makepeace Island is located on the Noosa River, just 10 minutes via private boat from Noosa Heads. To get there, fly into Sunshine Coast Airport or drive two hours north from Brisbane.

Who owns Makepeace Island?

Originally called Pig Island, along the way the name was changed to Makepeace, after Hannah ‘Shotgun’ Makepeace inherited the island from her former employers. Despite the delicious irony, the much-storied Ms Makepeace enjoyed a pastime of sitting on her jetty with a rifle pointed at river-going folk, among a host of other eccentricities. After her death, the island spent some years in disrepair until it became the home of former advertising guru turned prolific artist, Brian Spencer. It turned up in the local news again after being acquired by Virgin boss Richard Branson in 2003, in conjunction with a few other investors.

Now this idyllic island is in its luxe era as an exclusive-use stay that welcomes multi-gen families and groups of well-acquainted holidaymakers. Aside from Branson himself (who, when on the island, is often found scratching his chin by the giant chess set), former guests include mega-celebrity Drew Barrymore and her children, who apparently discovered the island by zooming in and out of Australia’s coastline on Google Maps.

How much does it cost to stay on Makepeace Island?

As you may have guessed, the cost to stay at this private island induces a sharp inhale. For most of us, it’s a wincingly high nightly rate of $19,950 for the first eight guests and $1200 per night, per extra guest, accommodating up to 22 people (kids under five are free). But Makepeace is not an outlier. It’s reflective of the current trend to purchase experiences over obvious opulence. Rather than splashing on showy status symbols, the flex is to afford absolute privacy at an all-inclusive, personalised stay that exists beyond the purview of most. It’s a kind of hyper-hospitality.

But it’s not just the ultra-wealthy who are drawn to the private oasis of Makepeace Island. Often it’s a once-in-a-lifetime indulgence for families to gather for a special investment in memory-making or one-off event. “There is a broader shift happening, where time has really become the ultimate luxury," says Makepeace Island’s general manager, Kate Gilbert. “Travel has become that moment to reconnect with your loved ones, and exclusive use creates the space for that."

What it’s like to stay on Makepeace Island

And what an event it is to stay here. Met at the Noosa Marina by Shotgun, the island’s custom-built luxury pontoon, you’re sped up the river to a waving welcome party (The White Lotus-style) on the island’s jetty. Hot towels and bubbles are offered as you make your way through the lush tropical gardens to the exquisite, poolside Balinese-style pavilion.

The buildings here were all constructed in Indonesia some 20 years ago, before being shipped over and assembled in situ. Their intricacy and traditional styling are truly authentic and a recent multimillion-dollar renovation has elevated things with more on-trend upgrades and the original thatched roofs replaced. You could easily be in Indonesia, except that Aussie bird calls and grazing kangaroos reveal cracks in the welcome deception.

Once you’ve gathered your ensemble of guests – as Gilbert puts it, “the only guests on-island are the ones you invite" – you disperse from the poolside pavilion to your lodgings. Sprawled across the manicured tropical gardens and marsupial-frequented lawns, you’ll flop between the waterside Boathouse, the four-bedroom Bali House, and three, two-bedroom Master Villas. The latter all include a carved volcanic boulder bath, requiring a ‘bath butler’ and 45 minutes to fill (worth it).

If I am honest about what imbues Makepeace Island with the stuff that guarantees your investment is rewarded, it’s more of a feeling than a list of amenities. Of course, the beautifully styled villas and all-inclusive activities are wonderful. Trevor’s bartending skills and role as enthusiasm merchant (particularly for the only child on the island) are next-level. The chef-created meals from Zeb Gilbert, former executive chef and co-owner of Noosa’s multi-hatted Wasabi, are nothing short of Michelin-worthy. But actually it’s the impeccable hospitality that makes this place extraordinary. Unforced and genuine, it’s what makes the peace happen here.

The details

What? Makepeace Island is a private, exclusive-use island set across 10 hectares on the Noosa River, Queensland.

How to get there: Fly into Sunshine Coast Airport or drive two hours north from Brisbane, then take a 10-minute private boat transfer from Noosa Heads.

Accommodation style: The retreat offers Balinese-style pavilions for up to 22 people and is family-friendly.

Dining: Enjoy bespoke meals prepared by the island’s highly awarded chefs in various island locations, with each offering a unique ambience.

Cost: Prices from $19,950 for the first eight guests and $1200 per night, per extra guest.