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She was a typical girl. No airs or graces

Kylie's secret 'French' escape

Exclusive by CHRIS TINKLER
06mar05

POP superstar Kylie Minogue has bought a hideaway retreat on isolated French Island, near Melbourne.

The singer, who dates French actor Oliver Martinez, bought the secluded 20-hectare block in the middle of the island for an estimated $400,000.

In true celebrity style, the diminutive diva hired Allan "Koala Dundee" Chandler, the island's tour operator and bushman, to look after the property.

The home, once re-developed, is expected to be Kylie and sister Dannii's retreat.

The island is 65km southeast of Melbourne and 10km from Hastings, but cars can access it on demand only by a barge – at $100 a trip.

While it ranks as Victoria's largest island – twice the size of Phillip Island – 72per cent is national park.

There is no power, no sewers and no sealed roads, but plenty of mosquitoes in spring.

French Island is famous for its former prison and was once pinpointed for a nuclear power station.

Its estimated 3000-strong koala population heavily outnumbers its 90 residents.

Tourists can reach it only via a ferry from Stony Point, south of Hastings and Cowes on Phillip Island.

It has three B&B-style hotels, a general store and an eco farm – the converted old prison – where backpackers stay and work.

But the isolated haven was just what the Minogues were looking for, according to estate agent Hendrik Boer, who sold the property to Kylie's father, Ron.

"It is just a nice place to get away from the crowds and paparazzi," Mr Boer said. "The family can come and relax here and they know they will not be bothered. There are some gorgeous beachfront properties on the island, but they did not even want to look at them, probably because they didn't want an armada of boats floating outside."

Kylie took a tour of the island and her new home with Mr Chandler when in Melbourne at Christmas.

"I'd heard of her, but I didn't recognise her," Mr Chandler, who has lived on the island for 37 years, said.

"I just thought she was another tourist. She was a typical girl. No airs or graces."

Dannii, at the Australian Grand Prix in Albert Park with former boyfriend driver Jacques Villeneuve, spent last weekend on the island.

Mr Boer, of Peninsula Coast Real Estate, said the property was bought in the family company name KDB Holdings – the initials of Kylie, Dannii and brother Brendan.