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The Story Of David Glasheen, A Real Life Robinson Crusoe


David Glasheen and Quasi © Brian Cassey

David Glasheen is a 70-year-old former businessman from Sydney’s North Shore who traded in his suit for a loincloth after losing most of his money in the stock market crash of 1987. He first visited Restoration Island in 1993, he acquired an interest in the island with his remaining money in 1994, and moved there permanently in 1997 with his girlfriend. But with no hot water, a bath or the mod cons she found it tough and left to return to the city. Since then he has upgraded accommodation on the island, and has lived there happily with his dog Quasi. Continue reading »

Book A Stay On Your Own Robinson Crusoe Island

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Its name is Bird Island, perhaps because it is so small that it can be a decent home to birds only or perhaps because it was first noticed by a bird. We can not tell, but the Bird Island near Placencia, Belize is now available for a holiday booking via Airbnb for 350$ per night. Continue reading »

David Glasheen: A Real Life Robinson Crusoe

David Glasheen, dubbed Australia’s Robinson Crusoe, has lived on tiny Restoration Island, off the north-eastern tip of Australia since 1993, accompanied only by his dog Quasi. A former business man, he abandoned a high-flying life in Sydney after losing $AUS10 million £6.5 million in the 1987 stock market crash and his marriage ended. Mr Glasheen, who is now in his late 60s, said he revels in the tranquillity and privacy and has called himself as “the luckiest bloke in the world”. He lives off fish and crab and collects bananas, coconuts and native fruit, as well as growing his own vegetables and brewing beer.

In photographs by Brian Cassey.

David Glasheen faces eviction from his remote tropical paradise after losing a Supreme Court legal case. Continue reading »