Richard Branson Purchases Makepeace Island in Noosa, Australia

In July 2007, British entrepreneur and Virgin Group founder Richard Branson acquired an ownership interest in Makepeace Island, a private island situated in the Noosa River near Noosa Heads, Queensland, Australia. The property was purchased jointly with Virgin Australia co-founder Brett Godfrey and later developed into an exclusive island retreat. The acquisition expanded Branson's property interests in Australia, where he had already established a business presence through the launch of Virgin Blue, the airline that began operations in 2000 and was subsequently renamed Virgin Australia. Makepeace Island is a heart-shaped island located in the Noosa River, close to the coastal communities of Noosa Heads and Tewantin on Queensland's Sunshine Coast. Its distinctive shape, natural surroundings, and secluded position made it suitable for development as a private retreat. The island was named after Hannah Makepeace, who had been associated with the property during its earlier history. Unlike many coastal island properties, Makepeace Island is located within a river system rather than offshore in the Pacific Ocean. Branson and Godfrey's purchase reflected their existing business relationship in Australian aviation. Godfrey had served as the founding chief executive of Virgin Blue, which entered the Australian domestic airline market in August 2000. The airline initially operated between Brisbane and Sydney before expanding its network. Branson's involvement in Virgin Blue established a connection with Australia that extended beyond the United Kingdom-based Virgin Group businesses. Following the acquisition, Makepeace Island underwent development to provide luxury accommodation and leisure facilities. Its design incorporated Balinese-inspired architecture, tropical landscaping, private villas, and shared recreational areas. The property was initially used as a private retreat by its owners and their guests before being made available for exclusive private bookings. The development sought to preserve the island's secluded character while providing facilities for group stays and private events. The redevelopment was completed around 2009, after which the island served as a holiday retreat for Branson, Godfrey, their families, and invited guests. In July 2011, Makepeace Island opened to paying guests through exclusive-use bookings. The 9.2-hectare property offered accommodation for up to 22 guests, with facilities including villas, a swimming pool, tennis court, and entertainment areas. Contemporary reporting indicated that private bookings could cost from approximately A$7,900 per night for eight guests, with higher rates for larger groups and peak-season stays. The acquisition also had a local dimension. In correspondence presented to the Queensland Parliament in May 2007, Branson described Noosa as a place he visited regularly and referred to property he owned with Brett Godfrey. He expressed support for preserving Noosa's separate local government identity during discussions about council amalgamations. This correspondence provides contemporary evidence of his connection with the region during the year associated with the acquisition.