12km from the mainland pier at Bridport, situated in the Bass Strait, is a 1.3km long, 550-metre-wide island. A haven for a wide selection of local animals, including penguins, short-tailed shearwaters, and over 1% of the world’s population of black-faced cormorants, Ninth Island is a true, one-of-a-kind asset. And now, it’s being brought to market by Yong Real Estate.
Despite there being approximately 5,000 islands located around Tasmania, only nine are considered freeholds, and Ninth Island is perhaps the most famous of them all. For wine connoisseurs, the name of the island will prove familiar; one of Tasmania's most revered wine brands is named after this rocky seaboard outpost, as Ninth Island is visible from the northern Tasmanian vineyards, shrouded in ocean mist.
With such a vast array of fauna housed at and on its shores, Ninth Island has a conservation covenant that limits access to the island via helicopter only, giving its owner an authentic retreat from the qualms and squabbles of modern life.
“It has the best view of any island,” Yong Real Estate agent Peter Huang stated. “You have a 360-degree view from anywhere. It’s a breathtaking view.”
Whilst the island’s shoreline has been designated Tidal Crown Land, managed by the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service, it does contain a large parcel of land that can be developed. Previous owners have floated the idea of constructing an ecotourism facility, and whilst such a plan hasn’t been activated to date, Huang hasn’t discarded the option entirely.
“It can be just a private person buying it [as] a private island... Or if you want to have a bigger plan, you could develop it into an ecotourism [facility].”
With very few comparable options currently on the commercial property market in Australia, Ninth Island has capital appreciation value based just on its rarity. For those interested in securing a property that has no peer, this one might be the one for you.
The sale of Ninth Island is being facilitated by Yong Real Estate agents Harvey Huang and Peter Huang. You can view Ninth Island’s listing on Development Ready here.