Iconic Hervey Bay Shark Show sells after a long time on the market

The iconic Hervey Bay Shark Show site has sold after spending five years on the market despite being in a prime beachfront location.

The site of the former tourist attraction, owned by notorious Hervey Bay shark hunter Vic Hislop, has finally been snapped up.

The Chronicle can confirm the beachfront block, which used to home the Hervey Bay Shark Show, is under contract and expected to settle next week.

Real Estate GC agent Dimity Horridge said the building on the corner of the Esplanade and Elizabeth Street, Urangan, which had been on the market since 2016, sold to new owners from the Gold Coast.

Many had been interested over the years but the site, which was once home to an 18ft, two-tonne, preserved great white shark among other things, wasn’t going to suit everyone.

As the market picked up in recent months, the calls started coming in thick and fast despite the property not being advertised online.

“We’ve had at least six call per week about the property … it’s out of the ordinary,” she said.

“We’ve had more inquiries due to the rise in the market and turn over of properties.”

Real Estate agent Dimity Horridge next to some of the displays which were damaged outside the former Hervey Bay Shark Show. Photo: File

The iconic fibreglass shark displays and entrance teeth, which suffered significant damage by vandals, were last year relocated and lovingly restored by volunteers at the Hervey Bay Historical Village and Museum where a shark exhibit can still be enjoyed.

“We pretty much had to tidy (the site) up for presentation,” Ms Horridge said.

The recent sale is only the second time the building has changed hands in around 35 years.

Ms Horridge said the new owners intended to do something ‘new and different’ at the location but wouldn’t be drawn on whether it was hospitality or accomodation related.

The official sale price and fresh plans will be revealed next week.