Whole Towns In Australia, New Zealand Up For Sale

Two towns — one each in Australia and New Zealand — are on the market for anyone willing to shell out millions to get their hands on the massive pieces of properties.

In Australia, The West Australian town, located at Lot 83 Radburn Road (Lake Muir) Manjimup, is on the market again this year after it was last exchanged for $615,000 in April 2017. The 39.82-hectare (97.65 acres) property is going to be auctioned off on Nov. 14.

The real estate listing for the property read: “It’s going to need some imagination, hard work and vision, but the end result could be as amazing and as big as you dream it. With 20+ cottages in various conditions if you are handy on the tools or know someone who is, then this will be a very rewarding project. As well as the cottages there is a town hall, a modern workshop, the old reception office, an undercover BBQ area, two tennis courts and it even has its own cricket oval.”

Till 2008, the town operated as a wilderness retreat. Real estate group LJ Hooker’s listing agent Colin Wallbank said that the buyer would increasingly benefit if he or she were to revamp the property as a weekend getaway, Weekly Times Now.

He recommended the town could be set up as “zoned Tourism Enterprise so you can’t live here full time, but you can holiday here as much as you like or create your own center with onsite Managers & Caretakers who could live there permanently. It’s ideally set up for a group of people or a club to purchase and renovate over time.”

“The Tone River running through the property providing fishing, boating and swimming opportunities and all of which is surrounded by stunning forest,” he added. “There are numerous walks around the facility and this is without doubt the perfect natural escape from the city.”

Similarly, Lake Waitaki Village, located on the South Island about 180 km (112 miles) north of Dunedin, New Zealand, is up for sale. The asking price for the 14.27 hectares (35.26 acres) property is $2.8 million, which is negotiable. The rateable value (RV) of the property is listed as $1,270,000 NZD ($831,785 USD).

The real estate listing of the town read: “The property comprises of a 585 sq/m refurbished main Lodge with owners accommodation, reception area, billiards room, and formal lounge. There are eight 3 bedroom houses and a 190 sq/m cafe/bar with rimu and mahogany detailing and full commercial kitchen. Nine bay car garaging is available at the rear of the Lodge. Much of the hard work has been done but there is still scope to step in and complete the project to satisfy your personal requirements. Surrounded by 14 hectares of lakeside land in a pristine New Zealand holiday location.”

The property was initially built to provide accommodation for dam construction workers and their families in the 1930s. Since the 1980s it had been left abandoned.

However, according to CNN, interested buyers who do not hold citizenship of New Zealand might not be able to purchase the town because of the Overseas Investment Amendment Bill passed by the country’s parliament in August that prevents foreigners from buying property in the nation.

This was done after New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern promised to curb the soaring prices of property in the country by clamping down on foreign buyers.