View of Tasmania’s Waterhouse Island. (Photo: Rob Roberts)
An unnamed Singaporean businessman has purchased an island measuring around 300ha off Tasmania’s northeast coast for nearly AU$5.5 million, reported Australia’s ABC News.
Located 30km from the small town of Bridport, Waterhouse Island comes with a homestead, cottage and shearing shed, and was previously used for raising sheep. There’s also a wharf and a lighthouse.
The freehold property also benefits from an airstrip, permanent power supply and mobile phone reception, said Ant Manton, the property agent who sold it.
“There are other islands obviously around the place, but a lot of them aren’t freehold and certainly don’t have the ability to land a plane on them.” It also has arable land and established facilities.
The island, which has been owned by several families in the last 45 years, was also used as a getaway retreat, Manton said.
After Waterhouse Island was listed on the market, Manton and the sellers were surprised by the level of global interest for the property from many potential buyers.
Manton also revealed that the property’s new owner intends to use it as a vacation home.
“I think down the track there might be some plans for an eco-tourism type development, but at this stage just a magnificent private retreat in the middle of Bass Strait.”
“But obviously there would need to be significant upgrades to services if they were going to use it any further,” he added.
Romesh Navaratnarajah, Senior Editor at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact him about this or other stories, email romesh@propertyguru.com.sg
