Getting away from it all is not so easy when you're one of the world's most recognisable faces. But those A-listers who happen to have a few million pounds to spare appear to have found a solution to this little conundrum – buy your own island paradise.
Movie veteran Mel Gibson is said to have splashed out £8 million for Mago Island in the tropical waters north of Fiji, while pop diva Kylie Minogue has paid a comparatively modest £170,000 for a chunk of French Island near Melbourne.
The Aussie songstress is now the proud owner of a 20-hectare estate on the sun-kissed isle, which can only be accesses by boat or helicopter. She decided to buy the isolated hideaway, which she will be sharing with sister Dannii and brother Brendan, after a viewing at Christmas. "It is just a nice place to get away from the crowds and paparazzi," explained estate agent Hendrik Boer. "The family can come and relax here and they know they will not be bothered."
Mel, meanwhile, will soon be making himself comfortable a few thousand miles to the east. His 5,500-acre getaway, surrounded by powder white beaches and turquoise lagoons, has free flowing spring water and a fully functioning farm. There is also a complete village, where the estate's employees live, along with a schoolhouse, loading pier, shop and laundromat. Its previous owners have even thrown in 400 cattle, 16 horses, 300 goats and a menagerie of other animals.
Photo: Alphapress.com
Photo: www.frenchisland.org
