The House, Lizard Island

As holiday rentals go, The House on Lizard Island is as private as you can get while still enjoying the amenities of a five-star resort.

The House at Lizard Island. Photo: Elise Hassey.

When Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest splashed out $42 million for the leasehold of Lizard Island late last year, he bought into the rarefied world of island-owning billionaires. In the tradition of Richard Branson, who owns Makepeace Island near Noosa, and Lang Walker, who owns Kokomo Island in Fiji, Australian rich listers are snapping up their own slices of paradise. Annie Cannon-Brookes bought Dunk Island for $32.6 million earlier this year, and Gina Rinehart considered buying Great Keppel Island but ultimately pulled out of the sale. Forrest, in our humble opinion, has bought one of the Great Barrier Reef’s true prizes – except for one luxurious part of it.

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Fortunately for Steve Wilson, son of Lizard’s original developer John Wilson, a 2200sq m parcel of land on the island wasn’t included in the sale to Forrest. The island, which is 240km north of Cairns and 27km off the coast, was explored by Captain James Cook in 1770. It was declared a National Park in 1937 and its surrounding waters a marine park in 1974 (David Attenborough first visited Lizard Island in 1957). John Wilson built the first tourist lodge on Lizard Island in 1970 and for the past 30 years, Steve, a Brisbane-based entrepreneur with an extensive background in the investment industry, has been working hard to build a dream holiday home – an exceptional piece of architecture on a pristine western headland that responded sensitively to the island World Heritage-listed status.

The aptly named The House on Lizard Island opened its doors to guests in July this year. Not only is it Lizard Island’s best spot, it’s also possibly Australia’s ultimate beach house. The House is adjacent to The Cottage, which is just behind it and was built in 2017. Both were designed by the Brisbane-based architect James Davidson of JDA Co, but approval was originally granted only for the smaller 2017 building. The House, which sleeps six people, is available to rent for a three-night minimum from $16,000 per night. When joined with The Cottage it can sleep eight people and is priced from $28,000 per night for a three-night minimum. It is serviced by the Lizard Island resort and comes with its own manager, Paul Steinfort, who takes care of everything from organising hikes, tours and boat trips (there is access to a range of watercraft) and coordinating your meals, which are prepared by the resort’s chef in The House’s impressive kitchen or outdoor barbecue area.

Picture: Elise Hassey.

Picture: Elise Hassey.

This is about as private as you can get while still having all the amenities of a five-star luxury resort. Each of the three bedrooms in The House has its own sitting area, desk and a bathroom with an unrivalled shower view. The rooms also have outdoor baths, where you can soak and take in the uninterrupted coastal vistas. There are three private beaches surrounding the house, as well as an infinity pool. Some days your biggest decision is which direction to head when you step out of the house.

The building was designed to blend into the landscape while also being able to withstand a cyclone. It has an outer shell of concrete, with timber and copper details. “The design concept was to not only touch the earth lightly,” says Davidson, “but to recede into the landscape, hugging the slope of the hill so that the physical presence of the house becomes hidden in its surroundings.”

Picture: Elise Hassey.

Inside, polished concrete floors and off-form concrete interior walls are softened by the furnishings, a large portion of which were hand-built by local craftspeople. Interior designer Sophie Hart was commissioned to create an interior that was luxurious and comfortable without being precious – The House is meant to be treated like a beach house. Sandy feet welcome.