A tropical island in North Queensland that inspired the Chronicles of Narnia film franchise is again in native fingers after 15 years of overseas possession.
Little Green Island, a seven-minute boat journey from Mackay’s northern seashores, offered at auction for $5.6 million right now.
The island has been owned by British-American film producer and actor Douglas Gresham, who bought it for $2.45 million 15 years in the past.
Its new house owners, a Mackay household who requested to not be named, secured the island after a two-way tussle with one other bidder, additionally from the Mackay area.
Bidding began at $2 million for the 24.4-hectare island, which has a home and a caretaker’s cottage, each set in a rainforest with a freshwater lagoon.
Mackay’s Little Green Island was auctioned at Shoal Point Park, with potential patrons bidding in particular person, on-line and on the telephone. (ABC Topical North: Danielle Jesser)
The beachside auction with the island in the background lasted about quarter-hour with six others bidding by telephone from interstate and internationally.
The director of actual property company Harcourts MackTown, Tina Sander, stated the sale of a non-public island with freehold title was a uncommon providing in Queensland.
Ms Sander stated Mr Gresham and his household watched the auction dwell from Malta.
Mr Gresham is the stepson of C.S. Lewis, the creator of the Chronicles of Narnia.
“It’s the island that was the creative inspiration for the Chronicles of Narnia movies,” Ms Sander stated.
A household escape
Mr Gresham was not out there for remark, however his actual property agent stated he was now in the “later stages of life and his family are winding down all of his assets”.
“Douglas now lives in Malta and he can no longer travel internationally and they’ve never, ever holiday let the island,” Ms Sander stated.
“He bought the island so he and his family could come on holiday whenever they wanted and holiday in confidentiality.
“It’s at all times simply been for private household use solely.
“The family just feel it’s time to pass on the island to a new family or to a new owner.”
Little Green Island comes with a swimming pool and deck overlooking the Coral Sea. (Supplied: Harcourts MackTown)
One-time residence of Edward de Bono
The island’s earlier declare to fame was as the typically residence of inventive guru Edward de Bono.
The Maltese doctor and commentator who invented the time period “lateral thinking” hosted “corporate think tanks” on the island.
The major home has two bedrooms and two loos, and was designed by famend architect and Australian Architecture Association president Tone Wheeler in 1995.
The two-bedroom home is a contemporary tackle a Queenslander-style residence. (Supplied: Harcourts MackTown)
“The main house is a modern interpretation of a Queenslander-style home, with a pool and deck overlooking the Coral Sea,” Ms Sander stated.
A second home on the island was designed to be a caretaker’s residence.
A once-in-a-career alternative
Ms Sander stated she was contacted by the house owners “out of the blue” six months in the past.
“I haven’t sold an island before,” she stated.
“I think it’ll be a once-in-a-career, lifetime opportunity.”
Ms Sander stated she had round 300 inquiries about the island earlier than it went to auction.
Some inquiries got here from abroad, however she stated the most real curiosity was from Queenslanders and Victorians.
Bids for Little Green Island have been registered from individuals in particular person, on-line and on telephones. (ABC Topical North: Danielle Jesser)
“All different age brackets, different demographics, different careers [made enquiries]”, she stated.
“Some individuals needed to make use of it for vacation letting, others have been wanting to make use of it for household.
“Some individuals simply need an ideal place to go and vacation in personal and never have streams of different individuals.”
The sale of different belongings together with a catamaran yacht and an amphibious motorboat are being negotiated.
