Dancing Star Reserve eco sanctuary listed on the market for $2.25 million

Dancing Star Reserve on Stewart Island. Photo / Supplied

A 172 hectare secluded eco sanctuary, bordering a national park and boasting five private beaches, could be yours for less than some Auckland properties.

The stunning Dancing Star Reserve on Stewart Island has been listed on the market for the first time in 15 years.

The private eco sanctuary, which adjoins Rakiura National Park, features mountainous terrain, garden meadows, five pristine beaches and some of the oldest native forest in New Zealand. It has a high-tech, ecologically engineered fence to exclude predators, as well as state-of-the-art electronic and video surveillance, as well as a 230-square-metre historic barn and an environmental education centre with a shower block and kitchen - all included in the $2.25 million asking price.

Regenerating native forest and ancient Rimu at Dancing Star Reserve. Photo / Supplied

The site has been used as a private, protected ecological refuge for native flora and fauna for the past 15 years, by current owners, the California-based, not-for-profit Dancing Star Foundation. A full-time conservation manager currently lives on site.

But now it is up for sale, and presents a rare opportunity to own a piece of prehistoric New Zealand, Matt Finnigan, sales associate at New Zealand Sotheby's International Realty, said.

Mamaku Point on Dancing Star Reserve. Photo / Supplied

"This particular property is quite special - it's one of the largest pieces of privately-owned land on Stewart Island, and with the work done by the vendors, it has the potential to lead the world in conservation efforts," he said.

Wildlife preservation and biodiversity conservation had been the core focuses of the property's current owners, he said, and the refuge now hosts more than 126 native species and contains one of the highest concentrations of kiwi in New Zealand.

The Xcluder predator fence on Dancing Star Reserve. Photo / Supplied

The reserve presented a unique and unprecedented opportunity for tourism operators and corporate organisations, as well as private owners looking to balance their impact on the environment, Mr Finnigan said.

It would also be of interest to individuals wanting a secluded and amazing holiday retreat, or innovative stewards seeking a project with conservation attributes, he said.

"It's a phenomenal legacy purchase for New Zealand. It would appeal to someone who would like to appreciate and preserve what the land was several hundred years ago.

"There are very few places like this remaining in New Zealand - or the world, for that matter."