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I
PRIVATE ISLANDS
I
TRAVEL
TAVANIPUPU
I
A WORLD AWAY IN THE SOLOMON ISLANDS
By Kyra Thomson
Tucked off the eastern coast of Guadalcanal, the island of Tavanipupu is part of the
mountainous and heavily forested Solomon Islands archipelago, an island nation of just
600,000 people — 1,200 miles northeast of Australia and 300 miles east of Papua New
Guinea. The capital city Honiara, on Guadalcanal — the largest of the Solomon Islands,
is a three-hour flight from Brisbane. Tavanipupu is located east of Honiara in the Marau
Sound and the two-hour boat trip across the lagoon or scenic 30-minute small plane flight
over Guadalcanal’s coral reefs from the island nation’s capital is included in the price of
accommodation at Tavanipupu Private Island
Resort, as are all meals and activities. Helicopter
service to the island is available at an extra
charge.
The island was purchased in the 1970s by Dennis
Bellote, an interior designer, and Keith Paske,
a gourmet cook, who tirelessly transformed an
overgrown 19th-century Norwegian coconut
plantation into a spectacular, thoughtfully
crafted retreat, offering decadent luxury to
guests without compromising Tavanipupu’s
striking beauty.
The private island resort fell on hard times in the late 1990s when a land dispute closed the
grass air strip, Keith passed away, and ethnic tensions throughout the Solomon Islands
destroyed many parts of the island chain and impeded tourism. Tavanipupu was defunct
for nearly a decade until a group of passionate investors decided to rebuild the resort and
rescue it from bankruptcy. After returning Tavanipupu to its former glory, the group sold their
beloved island to equally passionate owners, who have reinstated — and exceeded — the
and towels, a majestic king-sized bamboo bed with a mosquito net canopy, a refurbished sitting area
island’s stellar reputation.
and desk, a refrigerator to keep drinks cold, and a fan to maintain an ideal temperature.
Modern developments include an over-the-water spa and gym, Wifi access at the bar and
With 32 staff members attending to only eight bungalows, the devoted service found on the intimate
two new docks to enhance enjoyment of all-inclusive water sport options such as catamaran
island resort is unrivalled. Not only are the bungalows fit for South Pacific royalty, but each dwelling
sailing, kayaking, fishing, wake-boarding and scuba diving. But the magic of Tavanipupu
also comes with a personal attendant, invisible when privacy is required but offering efficient and
lies in its traditional charm, particularly the inviting thatched-roof bungalows, or “bures” as
instantaneous service the moment guests summon assistance — with a tap of the bure’s tribal drum.
they’re known locally, hand-crafted from indigenous timbers and leaves, and decorated with
Professional massage services can be requested for anywhere on the island, and individual kitchens
wood carvings from local residents. The eight bungalows are perfectly spaced to ensure
are unnecessary, as full gourmet meals, and any additional culinary craving, will be provided.
privacy, with verandas facing westwards to the sea to capitalize on the stunning sunset view
over Guadalcanal Island. Each fully-powered bure contains its own facilities, luxurious linens
Appropriately, considering one of the resort’s original founders was a gourmet chef, the tradition of
superb, fresh local Solomon Islands fare, fused with international influences, continues today. The
island has its own coconut-fed hens to provide free range eggs and its own pesticide and chemicalfree fruit and vegetable garden. Organic wheat imported from Australia is ground daily for freshly
baked bread. With these ingredients, you know the continental breakfast that awaits you each morning
on your private veranda will be exquisitely fresh. The daily lunch offering varies to suit your chosen
INQUIRIES
activities, and the delicious three-course catch-of-the-day candlelit dinner is surpassed only by its
Manager: Polo Carr
spectacular oceanfront setting.
Honiara office:
When asked about typical Tavanipupu Private Island Resort guests, owner Pamela Kimberly explains
36081/36082 or
that it’s a retreat for “people who can handle the challenge of something less than Four Seasons luxury
+61-02-9086-2705
but appreciate barefoot luxury and what it takes to produce that on a remote island in the middle of
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nowhere.” More specifically, she states Tavanipupu is for “people who love: life, others, the natural
www.tavanipupu.com
world, sunshine, the moon, the stars, wild orchids. An ice-cold beer on a hot day in paradise, a good
book and a hammock with the world’s greatest view.” 
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