Have you ever dreamed of living on your own tropical island?
Commuter traffic, the queue at the check-out and call centre muzak would all be terrors of the past on your own island of swaying palms and sun-kissed beaches!
Most that come on to the market are around Queensland’s Whitsunday Islands and off the Tasmanian coast.
These islands can be bought freehold or, more often, on 99-year leases.
There’s a steady, if small, flow of islands coming onto the market, and while some have megabucks price tags, occasionally there’s an opportunity for the price of a family home.
Worthington Island in Queensland, for example, was snapped up for $385,000 a couple of years ago.
So, for those of you who’d trade hustle and bustle for solitude and sand between your toes, we’ve made a quick guide for buying an island.
And even if you can’t tear yourself away, it’s fun to dream once in a while.
Location
Don’t go too far from the mainland as you want an easy boat ride to get supplies, such as mangoes for your daiquiris! An ideal location will also be influenced by local weather patterns. Will the island be vulnerable to cyclones and high tides?
Your intentions
The type of island you select should depend on whether you’re going to be a permanent resident, a frequent visitor or someone who’d like to develop a resort down the track.
Can you build?
It’s essential to be able to build on the island. Make sure there are no state government regulations to prevent you from constructing a new home. Queensland is more open to construction than Tasmania.
Position
You need a suitable site to build a home. Storms and high tides will be a real threat if you’re too close to the sea.
Logistics
Planning permission is only the first step in a challenging building process as you’ll need to get building materials across the water and be able to secure labour: another reason to stay relatively close to the mainland.
Check-out the vibe
Stay on the island, or near it, for an extended period. Familiarise yourself with the local landscape and conditions.
Finance
As a rule, banks are not big supporters of island-buying. If you need a loan, discuss your ambition with a lender or mortgage broker before going too far down the track.
Communications
There’s no need to be cut off from the world, or even Netflix! You have a choice of satellite internet providers, such as Starlink and Sky Muster.