Having had one of those years, we were looking to find somewhere to completely get away from it all. Bedarra fitted the bill perfectly. The helicopter flight to and from Mission Beach was a lot of fun. Once there, the island is physically so beautiful it is hard not to throw away the shoes, relax completely and soak in the surrounds. We stayed in one of the two Pavillion villas which are slightly removed from the rest of the accomodation and waking up to those magnificent views was a delight. We loved the cuisine - always changing and never boring - with light wines that suited both the tropical climate and the style of food. Even the frog that croaked very loudly throughout dinner was a bit of a lark! But, beyond all else, we cannot say enough about the superb service - friendly, unobtrusive, informative and always excellent. Thank you Geoffrey, Russell, Lance, Katrina and Erin. We will definitely be back.

We have just spent our five night honeymoon in Bedarra's Villa North East and, to be honest, I started mentally compiling this review just following our arrival, updating it in my mind as the days unfolded.

If you’re reading this, hopefully you’re considering a trip to Bedarra in the not too distant future. I can tell you about the utter beauty of the resort, the way the rock formations frame the stunning beaches and the warm, safe water. I can tell you about the friendliness and absolute professionalism of Geoffrey, Katrina and team, and how it’s like staying in someone’s house (but extremely cool people, who own an Island and just let you help yourself to everything) and how single every person in the team goes out of their way to make the experience tailored and special. I can tell you about the stunningly located and furnished rooms, kept immaculately clean and well-provisioned. I can tell you about the fabulous variety of activities, although if you’re anything like me, peak relaxation will hit somewhere around day three and all you’ll be fit for is lounging, napping and eating. The record should also note, I am officially the worst paddle boarder in history.

I can tell you about the food - the fabulous, ever-changing, always exciting menu, with the freshest ingredients and the most incredible flavour and presentation. I can tell you how personal tastes are noted and dishes adapted if required – all in a way that doesn’t make you feel difficult. The cellar is very well curated and I would recommend trying as many of the matched wines with dinner as you can.

So, this is where, in my mental compilation of this review, I stopped. There are a million experiences that I could tell you about – but I won’t. The magic of Bedarra (and that’s what it is; magic) are the tiny moments, hundreds every day, that make you feel as though you’re in a really really good dream. The surprises, the unexpected joys and the little touches that made our honeymoon completely perfect won’t be exactly the same as those on your holiday, you’ll need to find those out for yourself - and I don’t want to spoil the surprise. It will be EPIC.

PS Lance, we may not see you again, but we’ll never forget you. You are an absolute legend and we wish you every happiness in the future.