Islands for sale cheaper than many houses
Pumpkin Island, off the coast of Yeppoon, is on the market. Image supplied.
It may sound like the kind of reckless real estate purchase only the likes of Richard Branson and Johnny Depp could afford, but getting your hands on a private island could be cheaper than you think.
Not just for the rich and famous, a string of remote Queensland islands are up for sale at prices that would rival many Brisbane houses.
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Pumpkin Island, off the coast of Yeppoon, is on the market for a reduced price of about $20m. Image supplied.
They include everything from tracts of private sandy beach and palm trees, secluded coves of turquoise waters teeming with fish and fully-operational resorts with steady income streams.
Dunk Island is back on the market with $20m hopes, a resort on Long Island is up for grabs for $8.75m and Victor Island, off Mackay, could be yours for just $4.5m-plus.
REAL ESTATE: Victor Island in the Whitsundays is for sale. Image supplied.
For those on a budget, Quoin Island, off Gladstone, is listed for $1.9m, Zuna Island in the Torres Strait is on offer for $1.7m, and for the median price of many Brisbane suburbs, you can own Poole Island in the Whitsundays for just $999,000.
One of the country’s cheapest islands — Worthington Island off Gladstone — just sold for a measly $380,000.
Worthington Island recently sold for $380,000.
The latest Aussie isle to hit the market is Pumpkin Island, part of the group of Keppel islands off the coast of Yeppoon.
You may know the island for its more colloquial name, XXXX island, made famous when it was featured in an advertisement for the iconic Queensland beer.
The once-in-a-lifetime buy gives you the entire island and its eco-resort on a rolling lease until 2046.
Pumpkin Island is also known as XXXX island. Image supplied.
The current owners, Wayne and Laureth Rumble, bought the leasehold island in 2003 for just $1.3 million.
The Rumbles are now hoping for a price around $20 million for the tiny gem as they embark on a renewed push to sell it.
It had previously been listed for $25 million mid last year.
Just 6ha in total, the island offers eco-friendly accommodation for up to 34 guests in seven self-catering units powered by the sun.
Pumpkin Island from above.
All units have private decks and barbecues overlooking the sunset and the entire island could be booked as a whole for exclusive use.
Pumpkin Island is one of three Great Barrier Reef properties owned by the family’s Sojourn Properties and operated as holiday accommodation under their Sojourn Retreats banner.
The family also own Elysian Retreat in the Whitsundays.
Imagine owning your own private island?
As with many other tourism businesses reliant on interstate and international travellers, Pumpkin Island was hit hard by COVID-19, but occupancy levels before and after travel restrictions were at more than 90 per cent.
The Rumbles said they were selling to pursue new ventures and move closer to family in New Zealand.
Pumpkin Island is being offered for sale by Barbara Wolveridge and Lynn Malone of Queensland Sotheby’s International. Realty, who are selling five of the 10 islands currently for sale in the state.
Villa aerials of Elysian Retreat at Long Island in the Whitsundays.
Ms Malone said the island had been attracting interest from Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia with “a sprinkling of ultra-wealthy individuals” considering it as a third or fourth private residence.
She said Pumpkin Island was ‘exclusive’ compared to other islands because it could be purchased as an entire island, without having to be shared with other resorts, residences or national parklands.
“Depending on the vision of the next owner, Pumpkin Island is a blank canvas for redevelopment, expanded with more cottages to retain its charm or as a private family compound, by invitation only,” Ms Malone said.
“Since 1961, this is only the second time that Pumpkin Island has come on to the market.”
The view from one of the villas at Elysian Retreat at Long Island in the Whitsundays.
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So, what do you do on a secluded island?
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The wildlife will delight; there’s the chance to see dolphins, turtles and whales in season, fish, snorkel or take a ride in a glass bottom kayak — even harvest your own oysters off the rocks!
The eco-retreat is fully sustainable and carbon neutral, with 100 per cent solar power, rain water and recycling.
There is no shop or restaurant on the island, but self catering or dining hampers options are available from the award-winning Waterline Restaurant on the mainland.
St Bees Island is for sale for $4.9m.
There is a licensed bar, however, where guests can enjoy a craft beer, cider, wine or cocktail while watching the sun set.
It can be accessed via a short boat ride from Keppel Bay Marina.
ISLANDS FOR SALE IN QUEENSLAND
Island Price guide
Pumpkin Island $20m
Dunk Island $20m-plus
Marble Island $15m
Elysian Retreat on Long Island $8.75m
Victor Island: $4.95m
St Bees Island $4.9m
Victor Island $4.5m-plus
Wild Duck Island $4.5m
Quoin Island $1.9m
Zuna Island $1.125m
Poole Island $999,000