Private havens in Fiji and Marlborough Sounds are yours for less than $6m each
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Privately owned islands rarely come up for sale and when they do, public perception is that they generally have a hefty price tag associated with them.
But this is not necessarily the case, with Bayleys Realty Group featuring three islands for sale in its latest Waterfront portfolio for less than $6 million each.
Two are in Fiji with both offering freehold title in a country where less than 10 per cent of property has this type of tenure. The third is "back home" in the Marlborough Sounds.
Situated two kilometres east of Fiji's main island of Viti Levu, Toberua Island comes with 1.62ha of land and a 15-bure resort operation that has attracted a number of celebrity visitors over the years. The island, with resort, is for sale for $3.9 million plus 12.5 per cent Fijian value added tax (VAT) if any.
Bayleys' Chester Rendell, a South Pacific Islands specialist, says the resort has built up an international reputation for its peaceful ambience, excellent cuisine and for the diving and fishing around nearby reefs.
Toberua has attracted a lot of high-profile people over the years and has received a big makeover in recent time to bring it back up to a high standard, Rendell says.
Established in the 1970s, the resort was awarded Harper's best hideaway resort in the world for two years in a row, with notable guests including Billy Connolly, Caroline Kennedy, Ringo Starr, Robin Williams and Sir Edmund Hillary.
Rendell says the current owners purchased the island in 2001 and have invested substantially in the resort's facilities and adding spa services that include a new massage bure with pedicures and hot stone massages. The resort also has a full-time dive operation with a new dive shop and gear.
All the bures have been refurbished with new bamboo walls and thatched roofs. The current owners have added a retail shop, wine cellar, manager's house, staff quarters, two new boats, a barge and recreational equipment including canoes and hobie cat. They have also upgraded the lighting, wiring, water storage, power supplies and the resort's website at www. toberau.com
"The recent renovations and new services have boosted the revenue and value of the business," Rendell says. "Occupancy levels have doubled since the current owners purchased the property and there is potential longer term to expand with new bures.
"The coup in Fiji has had little effect on occupancy levels at Toberua although widespread discounting among tourism operators has impacted on yields."
He says the island and its resort will suit an owner operator, with the owner's residence located right on the water's edge.
Qo Qo Island at Nadroga is another Fijian island up for sale, expected to sell for around F$6.5 million, plus VAT, or about $5.5 million. The island comprises 5.6ha close to the mouth of the Tuva River, on the Likuri Harbour, 46km from Nadi International Airport and close to the world-renowned Natadola Beach. It is connected by a causeway to Viti Levu and can also be reached by a 10-minute boat ride from a village up the river.
Philip Toogood, manager of Bayleys Fiji, says the island is used as a private retreat but Qo Qo is well set up to be run as an exclusive small resort which could be expanded in the future.
Located by the river at the northern end of the island are four riverside guest suites, a clubhouse, bar, commercial kitchen and dining area, and library. A tennis court and putting green are planned.
A feature of the property is a jungle-styled pool on two levels connected by a waterfall and surrounded by lush tropical gardens. A boat ramp and jetty on the river at the end of the lawn offer access to some of the best inner reef fishing in Fiji.
Toogood says the island comprises nine freehold titles, with numerous options and development possibilities for the new owner. Two secluded luxury villas, with plunge pools, are being built on two of these lots. There is the potential to develop small-scale commercial assets on one of the other lots.
"The current owners are open to a variety of options ranging from outright purchase to a joint venture.
"They bought the property when it was completely covered in dense bush and have created road access, introduced reticulated power to the island and completed all the back-breaking work," says Toogood.
"There is considerable scope for further development of the property, either as a private retreat or a boutique resort, perhaps with the addition of a small marina and private moorings, and more villas. Given the separate titles, there is also the opportunity to sell down parts of the property."
For a more classic Kiwi getaway, Puangiangi Island, to the east of d'Urville Island in the Marlborough Sounds, is for sale for $5 million. At more than 60ha, it is one of the largest islands in the Marlborough Sounds and one of only two that are privately owned.
Puangiangi is in the Rangitoto chain of islands, known for excellent fishing, and is not far from Whakaterapapanui Island, a wildlife sanctuary to the north.
Marketing agent Scott Engstrom, of Bayleys Marlborough, says Puangiangi appears rugged from a distance, but it has flat lands including two beaches for swimming and boating, and is well protected from the westerly winds and sea swells.
The island comes with a two-bedroom bach with a spectacular elevated outlook. It is accessible either by boat or helicopter and has its own helipad.
Puangiangi is an ideal base for boating, fishing or the nature-loving enthusiast, says Engstrom, and it's only a 30-minute flight from Wellington or Nelson. The current owner, businessman Dave Andrews, has enjoyed the privacy and boating but has been too busy.
Part of the island has a QEII covenant on it and is in regenerating native bush with the balance in grazing land. The island is pest-free and is a thriving habitat for native birds and wildlife.
The waters around the Rangitoto Islands are renowned for their fishing, with blue cod close by and large snapper and groper further out, says Engstrom.
The island is likely to appeal to someone wanting a private retreat, a buyer interested in developing its eco-tourism potential or possibly a syndicate of boating and fishing enthusiasts.
On the web: www.waterfrontnz.com
