Slice of Fijian paradise up for sale

Musket Cove, whose owners have put eight residential blocks up for sale.

The owners of Fiji's Musket Cove resort have started a residential development on the island, initially advertising eight large sections.

Australian-born developer Dick Smith, his wife, Carol, and their daughter resort marketing director Josephine, are selling the Malolo Lailai Island blocks on 99-year leases.

Josephine Smith said two sections were sold to Australians before the development was advertised.

After establishing Musket Cove 29 years ago, the Smiths developed Fiji's first island resort, Castaway Island, then Plantation Island.

The Smiths, who own 109ha of freehold land comprising about half the island, are selling 0.4ha and 0.5ha sections, from $758,000. The island already has 18 privately owned homes and six more are expected to be built within the next year.

Musket Cove occupies 5.6ha of the island.

Dick Smith said the residential sites had power, courtesy of a new 1100-volt reticulation power plant. Water and gas were also provided to all the building sites.

Josephine Smith said most homeowners on the island had found out about the place by either staying at Musket Cove or sailing there.

"It's a small community and it's a lot easier if people have been here and experienced Fiji time first."