Our Story

Two Australians who got tired of the gap.

The gap between what Bali villa owners expect and what they actually receive. We've been on both sides — and we decided to do something about it.

Steve and Tara in Uluwatu
Meet the founders

Steve & Tara

We're Australians who fell in love with Bali the way most people do — on holiday. But over a decade of visits, a few times a year, something shifted.

As business owners in Brisbane, we could rarely take more than 7–8 days off at a time. Bali became our go-to — close enough that we weren't burning half the trip just getting there, and familiar enough to feel like a second home.

Together we built and ran three real estate agencies in Brisbane, Queensland — at our peak managing over 500 properties with a team of 40+ staff. Tara also brought 11 years of corporate experience from one of Australia's largest franchise networks before joining the business.

We know property. We know service. And we know exactly what it feels like when the management company you're paying doesn't deliver either.

3
Real estate agencies owned
500+
Properties managed in Australia
40+
Staff at peak
10+
Years visiting Bali
The Bali chapter

From holiday visitors to property investors.

Our original goal was simple — retire early, live in Bali, and show our four kids that if you want something badly enough, you can make it happen.

2024

Built from the ground up

We built our first Bali property in Canggu from scratch — Casa de Loto. Designed exactly the way we wanted it, with the guest experience at the centre of every decision.

2026

Uluwatu acquisition & renovation

We purchased a villa in Uluwatu and completely renovated it from top to bottom — Unite By The Sea. Bringing it up to the standard we'd want to stay in ourselves.

Now

Nyang Nyang — off the plan

Our third Bali investment — purchased off the plan in Nyang Nyang, continuing our commitment to quality properties in Bali's most beautiful locations.

The moment it clicked

15–17% ROI changed everything

Once we started renting through Airbnb, our return on investment sat between 15–17%. Returns like that simply don't exist in Australia. Combined with Indonesia's more favourable tax environment, we kept investing.

Steve and Tara at the villa blessing ceremony
The real reason we started

"Our original goal was to show our four children that you can do and have anything you want in life if you're prepared to work for it. Then the kids grew up, finished school and moved out — and we found ourselves asking: what's our why now?

That's when we set our 10-year goal. Early retirement from the Australian 9-to-5. A life built around Bali, on our terms."

— Steve & Tara
Why Island Dream Collective exists

We were almost managing our own properties anyway.

We found ourselves doing the work — staying across bookings, communicating with guests, managing issues — while still paying a local management company. So we asked the obvious question.

The answer was to build a small, boutique villa management company — one that works with a carefully chosen number of clients and brings genuine property management expertise to every single one.

Not a faceless agency. Not a local operator who manages 200 properties and treats yours like a number. A team of two who have owned and operated successful property businesses, who personally visit every property they manage, and who understand that your villa is an investment that needs to perform.

We bring the communication standards of an Australian real estate agency, the on-the-ground knowledge of long-term Bali property owners, and the genuine care that comes from having our own money in the same market.

🏡

Property management

500+ properties managed across three Brisbane agencies. We know what owners need and when they need it.

📊

ROI focus

We maximise returns and minimise outgoings — because our own villas are held to the same standard.

🔧

Maintenance & upkeep

Regular personal inspections, proactive maintenance schedules, and trusted local contractors.

⚖️

Legal & compliance

Our team of Bali-based legal advisors, accountants and notaries handle the complexity so you don't have to.

🌐

Local network

Trusted providers for internet, power, water, pest control, cleaning — sourced and vetted by us.

📱

Always in the loop

Real-time owner dashboard, regular reporting, and direct WhatsApp access to Steve and Tara personally.

Villa owners

Your villa deserves better than average.

We work with a small number of carefully selected properties. If you own a villa in Bali and you're not getting the service, transparency or returns you expected — let's talk.

🤝 Boutique by design

We deliberately limit the number of properties we manage so every owner gets our full attention.

📈 Performance-driven

We know what 15–17% ROI looks like in Bali. We'll work to get your property performing at its best.

🇦🇺 Australian standards

Communication, reporting and accountability held to the standard you'd expect back home.

Get in touch about your villa