The Australian islands for sale and how to buy them

Sandy beaches, the bluest oceans, no neighbours or perhaps the odd celebrity guest next door. The idea of buying our own island is not as crazy, or expensive, as you might think. See what Aussie islands are available right now.

Islands for sale in Australia as on January, 2024.

It’s everyone’s dream to own their own secluded slice of paradise – an island.

Just like the housing market, Queensland’s picturesque islands are hot property, with one sales agent saying there’s been a boost in island sales and interest since Covid-19.

Private Islands director Richard Vanhoff said there had been “hot interest” for islands in the past few months.

Mr Vanhoff and his wife Narelle have been facilitating island purchases for nearly two decades.

Starting out in media, Mr Vanhoff has met a number of international artists and personalities while working for two major media agencies, which helped inspire the couple’s real estate careers.

They have firsthand experience living on an island, having once called Hamilton Island home for more than 17 years with former Beatle George Harrison one of their neighbours.

Private Islands director Richard Vanhoff.

Mr Vanhoff said the interest in the islands for sale had been primarily domestic, but there had also been some international interest.

“I think post-Covid people have worked out you don’t need to be conducting your business out of the office, you can sit in your lounge room with your computer and mobile phone and successfully run your business,” he said.

Mr Vanhoff said at the beginning of 2023 he had 11 islands listed for sale, but with islands being hot property, he’s now down to four listings.

“Without a doubt, Queensland has the most desirable islands,” he said.

“A lot of people think of them as all sand and palm trees that you might see on a magazine cover, but the further south you go the less tropical vegetation you’ll see.”

However, buying a whole island isn’t as easy as buying a house.

Most islands can not be bought outright, but can be purchased through a leasehold that ensures the buyer can hold the land for up to 99 years.

Mr Vanhoff said 95 per cent of islands were in leasehold to the state government, making freehold islands for purchase a rarity.

“But they’re offering some fantastic renewal transfer of ownerships,” he said.

AUSTRALIAN ISLANDS YOU CAN BUY NOW

Quoin Island, near Gladstone $1.95 million

Quoin Island, near Gladstone.

Located off Gladstone, the sale of the north-facing portion of Quoin Island presents a “rare” opportunity for people looking for their own piece of paradise.

Touted as one of the “best kept island secrets”, the island is freehold which doesn’t come on the market often.

The parcel of land for sale is about 12 acres, or 4.8 ha, in size and has been owned by the one family for many years.

The island has played host to memorable “tropical balmy evening parties” and is close to a major airport and marina.

Curtis Island Ferries also pass by the island twice a day for the carriage of passengers and vehicles.

The island has other residences within a community title on the remaining portion of the unique island, as well as a commercial portion on the very southern end - Quoin Island Retreat.

The retreat caters for food, weddings and functions, as well as the highly awarded Turtle Rehabilitation Centre backed by philanthropist Bob McCosker.

On the island there are two old residences built out of stone many years ago.

Temple Island, near Mackay $1.75 million

Temple Island, near Mackay.

Temple Island is a private Great Barrier Reef island about 3km off Cape Palmerston National Park, about 60km southeast of Mackay.

The island has its own 1100m private airstrip and a four-bedroom high-set home at the island’s highest point.

Temple Island has Telstra and Optus mobile coverage and new solar panels with batteries.

It also offers an abundance of fishing, with the nearest green zone 30km away.

Wedge Island, near Great Keppel Island – expressions of interest

Wedge Island, near Great Keppel Island.

Wedge Island is located about 1km south of Great Keppel Island and is about a 5km by boat from the mainland of Emu Park.

Twenty-three acres in size, the property has new accommodation colorbond sheds and a full concrete driveway from the waters edge.

The island has hot water shower, toilet and a bidet and an enormous storage shed with all the tents and camping gear.

There are eight independent beds in the bungalow, and is all designed to enjoy all the water facilities during the day and the sunsets at night.

The water is teeming with fish and crayfish and there are private sandy beaches with plenty of space for water sports, diving and wakeboarding.

Banubanu Resort Bremer Island, Northern Territory $2.95 million

Banubanu Resort Bremer Island, Northern Territory.

As well as owning your own slice of Australian paradise, Bremer Island also has a fully functioning beach retreat.

Listed for $2.5m, Bremer Island is about 8km in length and 3km wide, and is just 15km north of Nhulunbuy.

Located in Australia’s North East Arnhem Land, there are a number of small uninhabited islands which are nesting areas for many different species of sea birds and turtles which nest on the island year-round.

There is an established relationship with the Traditional Owners who live on the island at their small community and help with some island tours, such as cultural and traditional crabbing.

There is also fish in abundance, including blue water species, such as marlin.

The Banubanu Resort venture was established 17 years ago by the original lease owners who have only recently reluctantly made the decision to sell the resort.

The resort’s five acre lease from the Northern Land Council was granted for 25 years and ends in 2039, but an extension can be negotiated.

Ninth Island, Tasmania $1.98 million

Ninth Island, Tasmania.

The namesake of one of Tasmania’s most famous wines, Ninth Island, is just a stone’s throw from mainland Tasmania.

A 40 acre freehold island, the sale is a reluctant one and could be yours for $1.98 million.

Ninth Island is located just 12km from the coast and can be seen clearly from Bridport, Tasmania.

The island is easily accessible by boat or helicopter.

A neighbouring island recently sold for $5.5 million, with Ninth Island posing opportunities for the new owner to build their own pontoon or jetty.

Originally published as The Australian islands for sale and how to buy them