Three entire Tasmanian islands and two private parcels on islands are currently on the market, offering buyers the rare chance to own a slice of island life – or the whole thing.
Whole freehold islands are particularly rare, with agents estimating only about a dozen titles exist across Tasmania
The most expensive on sale is Fulham Island, a 9.7-hectare freehold property off Dunalley in the state’s south-east, with offers sought above $3.5 million.
Elders Commercial director Scott Newton said the island was owned by an international client based in Singapore who bought it about 10 years ago for $1.8 million and has since had a concrete jetty built.
It sits just a kilometre offshore near Dunalley.
He said it wasn’t just the dream of owning an island which made these sort of properties popular, but also the scarcity of freehold islands made them so attractive.
“You can build more penthouses and apartments and office buildings, but you can’t, you know, create any more freehold islands,” he told Pulse.
Newton said the island was zoned rural and any dwelling would require appropriate approvals.
In the Furneaux Group, Puncheon Island near Lady Barron is being offered for more than $1.4 million.
The 16.25-hectare island has a three-bedroom home, solar panels, batteries and a generator and is accessible by boat or helicopter.
Selling agent Sharon Blyth said Puncheon was completely freehold and one title.
Getting to Puncheon Island comes with its own timetable, with boats able to reach the property only for about an hour either side of high tide because of the surrounding mud flats.
The previous owner lived on the island largely self-sufficiently before ill health forced her to return to Melbourne.
“You could catch your fish and grow your veggies,” Blyth said.
Ninth Island, off Bridport, is being offered from $1.9 million plus GST.
The 40-acre island is advertised as freehold and is known for its birdlife, with the listing claiming it is home to about 20,000 birds and penguins.
Vansittart Island, also near Lady Barron, is a 203-hectare property with a three-bedroom cottage, entertainment deck and jetty.
But it is not entirely freehold, with 502 acres held under freehold title and the remainder under an exclusive leasehold interest with the Crown.
The fifth property is a 17-hectare parcel of Little Dog Island, also in the Furneaux Group, offered at its council valuation of $520,000.
The property has two beaches, two cedar huts and a composting toilet and is about 15 minutes by boat from Lady Barron.
The remaining parts of Little Dog Island comprise two other freehold titles and Crown land.
A representative of the owner said the property offered a rare combination of isolation and easy access to civilisation.
“You really are getting into a really remote environment where you’re not gonna see any other people, but you can still get in your boat and go into the pub for dinner,” he said.
