Australians can purchase their own private patch of paradise for less than the price of an average home.
A list of lavish islands lining the eastern coast are on the market – with some price tags below the $1.2million average cost of an inner-city Sydney property.
Many of the islands – of which some have airstrips – come with approval for development opportunities, such as beachfront homes and boating facilities.
Gourd Island (pictured), 39 acres of land on NSW’s north coast, is on sale for $800,000 – which is a staggering $100,000 cheaper than the median fee for a home in Sydney
Once a sugar cane farm, the isle (pictured) sits in the Clarence River about a 10 minute boat ride from idyllic coastal town Yamba
Gourd Island, 39 acres of land on NSW’s north coast, is on sale for $800,000 – which is $100,000 cheaper than the median fee for a home in Sydney.
Once a sugar cane farm, the island sits in the Clarence River about a 10-minute boat ride from idyllic coastal town Yamba.
Selling agent Melissa Shanahan from Solitary Islands Real Estate told Daily Mail Australia the island is cheap for the area surrounding the Clarence River and has piqued buyers’ interest.
‘It’s a really beautiful spot,’ she said.
‘Much of the interest we’re getting is from people who have bought and sold islands before, and are looking to develop.’
Richard Vanhoff, who started island-selling business Australia Islands in 2004, says more domestic investors have infiltrated the market over the past two years.
Mr Vanhoff revealed that Goat Island (pictured), 20 minutes off-shore between Ballina and Byron Bay has already drawn attention from one famous buyer that couldn’t be named
For $1.1 million, buyers can snatch up Goat Island (pictured) – complete with wild goats and a tropical rainforest – in an area that has become a popular hotspot for celebrities
‘It is a totally niche market.
‘We were dealing with a lot of overseas customers but the climate has changed and we have noticed that we are getting a lot more Australian attention,’ he said.
For $1.1 million, buyers can snatch up an island home – complete with wild goats and a tropical rainforest- in an area that has become a popular hotspot for celebrities.
Mr Vanhoff revealed that Goat Island, 20 minutes off-shore between Ballina and Byron Bay, has already drawn attention from one famous buyer who couldn’t be named.
‘Initially when we put it up we were contacted by one particularly well known celebrity, but it was a bit too far off shore than he wanted,’ he said.
Further south, the 129ha Yellow Rock Island in Urunga (pictured) is for sale – also with a $1 million price guide
With no possibility of building bridges across the water way, Property Agent Peter Stone says the property is ideal for someone looking to develop a helipad
‘Everyone who has money wants an island, it’s the pinnacle of success.’
Further south, the 129ha Yellow Rock Island in Urunga is for sale – also with a $1million price guide.
With no possibility of building bridges across the water way, Property Agent Peter Stone says the property is ideal for someone looking to develop a helipad.
Quoin Island, off the coast of Gladstone offers owners the option for commercial development after an outright purchase of $2million
‘The only way to get into the island would be to fly or boat,’ he said.
Quoin Island, 12ha off the coast of Gladstone, offers owners the option for commercial development after an outright purchase of $2million – but exclusive entry only comes via a 50-minute flight or a ferry.
For close to the same price, Zuna Island in the Torres Strait archipelago, towards Australia’s most northern tip, comes with two bungalows already built.
For close to the same price, Zuna Island (pictured) in the Torres Strait archipelago, towards Australia’s most northern tip, comes with two bungalows already built
But for those with a higher budget, Wild Duck Island off the coast of Mackay is on sale for $4.5 million.
That price includes 25 bungalows along the 300ha stretch, a runway and an abandoned resort project and wild ducks.
But for those with a higher budget, Wild Duck Island (pictured) off the coast of Mackay is on sale for $4.5million