Unique ‘Reef and Beef’ opportunity builds on private island trend… with a country twist

A once-in-a-generation opportunity to acquire a boutique getaway within the Great Southern Barrier Reef Marine Park taps into the private-island trend and mixes it with income- generating possibilities.

‘Spadely Station’, a 1500-hectare freehold property on North Curtis Island, is the latest Queensland island property to come up for sale in the COVID-inspired drive for privacy and security, but it also comes with the financial advantages of a working rural enterprise.

The property, which has seven freehold titles, a grassed 850m airstrip, safe anchorage and boat ramp, access to 17 kms of beaches, a residential block with building approval fronting the beach, an old Queenslander residence, good gravel roads and sheds, is being taken to the market by an Offers to Purchase campaign run by Knight Frank and Ray White Rural.

“This property will be heaven for anyone looking for a beach retreat with something extra, combining a productive rural enterprise with year-round crabbing, fishing and boating within the Southern Great Barrier Reef Marine Park,” said agent Richard Brosnan of Ray White Rural.

“What’s more, freehold title fronting the beach is exceedingly rare, and means whoever buys the property will have an intergenerational asset ready for whatever the future brings.

“It’s the ultimate status symbol for any investor – the only freehold island I know of in the Great Barrier Reef that is a rural enterprise.”

“We have seen the attraction of private islands continuing beyond COVID with the sales or contracted islands of Dunk, Hook, Long Island Resorts, Lindeman and others confirming the desire for security and privacy for those with vision and means,” said agent Greg Roberts of Knight Frank Agribusiness Qld.

Once owned by visionary cattle baron Sir Graham McCamley and family, the property has been restored to its former glory by its current owners. It features new, yards, internal fencing, dams, freshwater lagoons and abundant marine couch, legumes and tropical grasses.

For astute investors it offers panoramic views over Keppel Bay, a cocooned land bank and white sandy beaches surrounded by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and adjacent to the Curtis Island National Park.

A grassed airstrip of 850m ensures privacy but doesn’t mean isolation. Fly in from anywhere. Emu Park, Gladstone and Rockhampton are all short flights away.

Reliable all-weather sea access links the island to the supply ports of Rockhampton, Yeppoon and Gladstone.

Greg Roberts commented: “Spadely Station adds an extra dimension to life which we think will appeal to those who love the idea of a beach property, but who want something more to keep them engaged and challenged, along with the tax incentives that go with running a rural enterprise.”

The Offers to Purchase campaign for Spadely Station closes at 4pm on May 17.