The Makepeace Island Experience
Step into the pinnacle of indulgence with The Makepeace Island Experience, a truly exclusive lunch with only 40 tickets available.
Begin your journey with a pre-drink at Elysium’s Riviera Bar and Lounge, followed by a private river cruise to the legendary Makepeace Island.
On arrival, enjoy a welcome drink and canapés as you take in the serene beauty of this private island paradise. Witness Chef Ben Williamson in action as he cooks over wood-fire, collaborating with Makepeace Island’s own Chef Zeb Gilbert to craft a three-course menu that blends bold, contemporary flavours with coastal sophistication.
Enhance your meal with premium beverages from our festival partners while a live acoustic set provides the perfect soundtrack to this unforgettable experience.
With every detail curated for exclusivity and refinement, The Makepeace Island Experience is more than lunch – it’s a rare opportunity to savour exceptional food, breathtaking surroundings, and the ultimate private island escape.
Chef Ben Williamson ~ Agnes, Brisbane
Chef Ben Williamson brings the signature Agnes open fire cooking and creativity to The Makepeace Island Experience.
As co-owner and culinary director of Brisbane’s acclaimed Agnes and Anyday, he is known for his refined yet bold approach to cooking, with a strong focus on high-quality, seasonal ingredients.
At Agnes, the focus of the menu is the creative use of wood fire. No electricity, no gas, just fire. Ben Williamson and his talented team strip cooking to its primordial elements, allowing for true creativity and personal expression to flourish.
Chef Zeb Gilbert ~ Makepeace Island
At the heart of Makepeace Island’s kitchen is Chef Zeb Gilbert, a culinary craftsman whose passion for food runs deep. Before joining the island team, Zeb earned two coveted chef’s hats for seven consecutive years, a testament to his dedication, creativity, and respect for the craft.
Zeb brings more than skill to the table; he brings heart. Together with his talented team, he creates dishes that tell a story, inspired by the people, produce, and landscapes of the Sunshine Coast. Every menu is thoughtfully curated, tailored to the moment and the guests who will share it.
This collaboration with Ben Williamson ensures that every plate served at The Makepeace Island Experience will not only celebrates incredible local flavours, but also the community that makes them possible.
Handpicked Wines
Handpicked celebrates the diversity of Australia’s leading wine regions through thoughtful curation, sustainable vineyard stewardship and winemaking mastery.
Led by Chief Winemaker Peter Dillon, the team is renowned for crafting exceptional wines, with a vision to produce the finest expressions from the greatest regions.
The Handpicked portfolio spans premier regions including the Barossa Valley, Tasmania, the Yarra Valley, and the Mornington Peninsula.
Seven of these eight owned vineyards are already Certified Organic, with the final site currently on track for accreditation. Beyond Handpicked’s vineyards, the winery partners with celebrated growers in Australia and around the world, from the Pyrenees to Central Otago, to deliver wines that truly sing of the site.
Handpicked is a multi-award-winning producer and a trusted name in premium winemaking.