Chance to snap up beach dream overlooking Great Barrier Reef

A block of land with one kilometre of pristine beachside at Cape Gloucester overlooking the Great Barrier Reef’s has just hit the market.

The 60ha holding at Cape Gloucester, scattered with coconut palms and overlooking sandy beaches and turquoise water, hit the market for the first time in 20 years earlier this month

A block of land with 1km of pristine beachside at Cape Gloucester, overlooking the Great Barrier Reef, has hit the market as high-end buyers chase Whitsunday retreats through the cooler months.

The 60ha holding on the mainland, scattered with coconut palms and overlooking sandy beaches and turquoise water, hit the market for the first time in 20 years earlier this month.

The three owners – one who lives in NZ, one in Sydney and the other locally – considered developing the property over the years but ultimately decided against it. Now, they are all getting ready to retire and have chosen to sell.

“When we purchased the property 20 years ago, we were taken by the beauty and seclusion of it,” the trio said in a statement. “We have enjoyed the property as a getaway from city life in the time we have owned it, but now as all three partners are getting ready for retirement, we feel it is time to move on and go on to other endeavours.”

The lot lies 30 minutes north of Airlie Beach, which is considered the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.

The Whitsundays have become an increasingly popular holiday destination over the past year as international border closures forced Australians to holiday at home. The renewed interest in the region is seeing resort-style residential properties selling for between $12 million and $20 million.

The listing follows Sydney investment banker David Kingston’s recent sale of Long Island, nestled between Hamilton ­Island and Airlie Beach.

The resort facilities on the island have been closed since 2016 due to a cyclone but it is expected the 8ha spot will again be developed by its new owners, Sydney publican Bill Gravanis of the Oscars Hotels group.

Daydream Island is reportedly quietly being offered around the market by international owners China Capital Investment Group for $200 million. It was purchased for $30 million several years ago, with at least $100 million spent since in refurbishments.

Ray White Whitsunday agent Fiona Donnellan said there was huge growth potential in the Whitsunday region for those hoping to take advantage of tourism being on the doorstep and the “amazing coastline” of Australia’s east coast.

“Real estate in the Whitsundays has been going crazy and doing extremely well,” she said.

The freehold site looking out to Gloucester Island sits across one title and has rural zoning.

The majority of inquiries about the property have been spread down the east coast from people either looking to develop a business venture or their dream home with their own private beach.

Expressions of interest are due by June 11, with expectations of more than $6 million.