Former Shark Show for sale for $1.3 million

This is a jaws-dropping real estate opportunity.

Vic Hislop at the old Shark Show. Picture: Alistair Brightman

TALK about a jaws-dropping real estate opportunity.

The building that once housed Hervey Bay's iconic Shark Show is now for sale for $1.3 million and you won't need a loan shark to tell you that it's a bargain in a beautiful location.

Shark Show owner and founder Vic Hislop, who still lives in the home adjoining the commercial building, said the building was also available for lease, but he was also open to selling.

"It's in a very good spot here," he said.

Even if it sells, he said he would remain in the Bay to be close to his children.

Located near the water in Urangan, Mr Hislop has owned the property for more than 35 years.

He said he had some interest from people who were, ironically, interested in turning it into a fish and chip shop, but that had not gone ahead.

Now free of the concerns of operating the shark show, Mr Hislop is spending his time fishing and being part of documentaries, he said.

Mr Hislop has had a love-hate relationship with sharks over the years.

While enjoying success as the operator of the Shark Show, he has also killed thousands of sharks over the years, believing them to be responsible for the disappearance of dozens of missing swimmers.

In January the Shark Show closed for good.

The frozen 18ft, two tonne great white shark on display at the museum was placed up for sale for $30,000, then later taken off the market when the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries intervened because the animals were protected under state and Commonwealth legislation.

Mr Hislop refurbished the show in 2013, adding whale exhibitions and new documentaries.

At the time of its closure, Mr Hislop said the museum had probably saved many lives and had educated people about the behaviour of sharks.

While the huge shark jaws that hung over the entrance of the business have been removed, the high great white on a pole and another poking its head into a boat remain at the front of the property.

Mr Hislop said any future owner would be able to remove the last remaining remnants of the shark show if they so chose and he has considered having them removed themselves.

He said he had left the shark sculptures out the front of the business because people enjoyed taking photos with them.

"Sometimes they even take photos at 2 o'clock in the morning," he said.

But sadly vandals have been breaking bits off the sculptures, particularly the shark's teeth, and taking them as souvenirs.

Originally published as Former Shark Show for sale for $1.3 million