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Live like Bear Grylls on your own private Aussie island

| 5 min read

Owning a private island is the ultimate financial flex, but an island purchase needn’t break the bank.

Johnny Depp bought one in the Bahamas and Richard Branson invites VIPs to his billionaire retreat Necker Island. Leo DiCaprio entertains his entourage on his Belize island and Celine Dion built a mansion on hers off the coast of Quebec.

Even adventurer Bear Grylls flaunted his Welsh isle this week on Instagram.

Australia's private island market has been buoyant since the pandemic, with a string of high-profile sales including Dunk Island, Lizard Island, Long Island and Hook Island changing hands in multi-million-dollar deals.

From off-grid escapes to former resorts and working islands, these are some of the most intriguing private islands currently on the market around Australia.

Boogee Boogee Island - Karuah River, NSW - $1 million

Just off the Pacific Highway, surrounded by the Karuah National Park, Boogee Boogee Island is a 66.7ha parcel with $1 million price hopes.

Listed for $1m, Boogee Boogee Island is surrounded by river and national park. Picture: realestate.com.au

The riverfront landholding is marketed as a perfect getaway for outdoor lovers keen to find their private camping, boating and saltwater fishing paradise.

The mostly flat island features native trees, some cleared land, a “rustic” cabin, rural sheds and outbuildings.

A 'rustic' cabin is included in the sale. Picture: realestate.com.au

Boogee Boogee is boat-access only and is about a 10 to 20-minute ride from local boat ramps.

Ninth Island - Bridport, Tasmania - $1.9 million + GST

A freehold island in the Bass Strait between Melbourne and Tasmania, Ninth Island measures 160sqm and is home to diverse flora and fauna, including seals and a penguin colony.

The island can be seen from the vineyards of northern Tasmania, and was the inspiration behind one of Tasmania's most famous wines of the same name. 

There are reportedly nearly 5,000 islands around Tasmania, but only a dozen are freehold, including Ninth Island which is asking $1.9m+. Picture: realestate.com.au

The island also has a royal link, with Princess Mary's grandfather among survivors rescued there after a Bass Strait shipwreck.

It's a short helicopter flight or 12km boat ride from Bridport.

Toogoom Island - Toogoom, Queensland

Near heritage-listed K'gari, Toogoom Island offers a rare chance to buy both a freehold island and a neighbouring mainland holding, spanning approximately 28ha in total.

The Toogoom Island portfolio covers nearly 70 acres in total – about 57 on the island itself and a 12.9-acre mainland dry-block compound. Picture: realcommercial.com.au

The deceased estate includes three homes, a private airstrip, helipad, barge access, hangar, and off-grid infrastructure, plus easy access to the Fraser Coast.

Goat Island - Marrakai, Northern Territory - $1.5 million

Attracting travellers for its crocodile encounters, Goat Island is about as Top End as real estate gets. About 20km from the Adelaide River boat ramp, the 10ha private island is surrounded by dense bushland and waterways known for barramundi fishing and saltwater crocs.

Goat Island in the Northern Territory is for sale for $1.5m. Picture: realestate.com.au

For more than 20 years, the island’s lodge has been run by “King” Kai Hansen, an eccentric outback publican who made headlines in 2022 when he fought off a 3.5m salty with a frying pan.

A still from the viral video of Kai Hansen and Casey the croc.

The off-grid deal includes the off-grid lodge, a bar, four guest suites, an owner's residence, a pontoon, and helipad.

Fulham Island - Dunalley, Tasmania - $3 million to $4 million 

Off Tasmania's south-east coast, Fulham Island is a private freehold property about an hour’s boat ride from Hobart.

Tasmania’s Fulham Island is on the market. Picture: realestate.com.au

Part of the Sloping Island group, just off Dunalley between the Tasman and Forestier peninsulas, the 9.71ha island is shaped by protected waterways, rugged coastlines and a lush landscape that is home to little penguins, short-tailed shearwaters and oystercatchers.

Dunalley is about 56km from Hobart City. Picture: realestate.com.au

The island is currently owned by James Koh (also known as Koh Wee Meng), a billionaire hotelier, property mogul, and boss of the Singapore-listed Fragrance Group.

Vansittart Island, Little Dog Island and Puncheon Island - Lady Barron, Tasmania

All part of the Furneaux Group of approximately 100 islands in Bass Strait, there is a trio of Tassie islands currently listed for sale.

On Vansittart, a 203ha landholding - the only private land on the island - with the remainder held under an exclusive Crown lease.

Vansittart Island is one of three Tassie islands for sale within the Furneaux Group of islands in Eastern Bass Strait. Picture: realestate.com.au

On offer with no official price guide, Vansittart is already equipped for stays at the three-bedroom cottage with the only neighbours being native birds, including Cape Barren geese, wedge-tailed eagles and quail.

Little Dog Island includes two huts and a composting toilet. Picture: realestate.com.au

Little Dog Island is a 83ha isle listed for the price of an inner city studio at just $520,000, the exclusive 17ha private freehold site is set up for camping holidays and features two sandy beaches, sweeping coastal views, and two cedar huts connected by a timber deck.

There's a 3-bedroom home with meticulous granite stonework included with the purchase of Puncheon Island. Picture: realestate.com.au

On the market asking more than $1.4 million, Puncheon Island has a private 16.25ha retreat accessible only by boat or helicopter.

Used for farming since the 1850s, the island has a three-bedroom off-grid cottage, a machinery shed, vegetable gardens, a henhouse and farm equipment.

Quail Island - Stanage, Queensland - more than $12 million

About 2.5kms off Stanage Bay on Queensland's central coast, Quail Island is asking $12 million with a rolling longterm lease.

Quail Island sits roughly 170 kilometres north of Rockhampton. Picture: realestate.com.au

As well as a 800m private beachfront, there is a diverse landscape of red-earth tablelands and volcanic soils, as well as a grass airstrip, pastures, dams, a freshwater well, cattle infrastructure, and an untouched native forest.

Accommodation includes a renovated two-storey homestead, a manager's residence, and several sheds.

Pumpkin Island - Keppel Islands - Queensland - circa $20 million

On and off the market for more than five years, Pumpkin Island is still waiting for its forever person.

Just south of North Keppel Island, its nearest mainland hub is Yeppoon on Queensland’s central coast.

Pumpkin Island Eco Resort is in The Keppel Islands in the Southern Great Barrier Reef off Yeppoon. Picture: realcommercial.com.au

Also known as XXXX Island - thanks to a 10-year-old marketing campaign by brewer Castlemaine - the 6.07ha the self-powered island is currently has five cottages which can sleep 34 people, multiple beaches, a licensed beachfront bar, a lounge venue, an activities hut, a manager’s residence, staff quarters, a custom-made 36-seat passenger boat, plus two moorings and a helipad. 

South Molle Island - Whitsunday Islands - Queensland

A family holiday hotspot between the 1970s and 1990s that once welcomed up to 600 guests at a time, South Molle Island in the heart of the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef is waiting for its next deep-pocketed custodian.

The resort was abandoned after being hit by Cyclone Debbie in 2017. Picture: realcommercial.com.au

Now deserted, the 28ha island is home to a derelict resort damaged by Cyclone Debbie in 2017, a national park, and walking trails. It last traded in 2016 when China Capital Investment Group spent a reported $25 million on the leasehold.

Although there is no official price guide, in 2023 the island was advertised with $30 million expectations.