Unique Port Stephens development opportunity

5 Koala Place, Boat Harbour

NEW PRICE

5 acres

Rarely does a property this unique come onto the market.

Five (5) acres of secluded cabins nestled amongst tropical gardens and melaleuca forest. Less than ten (10) minutes walk to iconic ‘One Mile Beach’, Port Stephens.

This amazing property has an established wellness centre, yoga studio, massive covered deck area and nine (9) freestanding cabins. Currently it provides accommodation, holistic health services and wellbeing retreats. Active approvals are in place for further construction.

Zoned RE2 (private recreation) the potential for expansion and diversification is enormous. What will you do with this property? Continue on the health and wellness path or pursue one of the many other possibilities permissible under this zone.

This is a unique property in a prime Port Stephens location!

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Address: 5 Koala Place, Boat Harbour, NSW 2316, Australia

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Site plan

Description

A rare opportunity in the heart of Port Stephens. Five (5) acres of eco cabins, waterways and rainforest gardens, just five minutes’ walk to One Mile Beach. Don’t miss this opportunity to be in the bush beside the beach.

Currently operating as a secluded eco resort, health retreat and wellness centre. Nine (9) wheelchair accessible cabins, with development application approval for another six (6). This popular accommodation provider offers the ideal opportunity for a buyer looking to tap into Port Stephen’s lucrative and expanding tourism market. Two million (2,000,000) visitors are attracted to this ‘Blue Water Wonderland’ each year.

Its prime location, RE2 (Private Recreation) zoning, unlimited height restrictions and the properties natural appeal open up a world of development opportunities. A range of possible options include expanding the existing resort accommodation, adding a conference centre, a wedding venue or high rise hotel & restaurant complex. Of course there is the option of completely redeveloping this amazing property in a myriad of ways currently permitted under this sought after zoning. All opportunities can make the most of the region’s array of recreational, culinary, and retail attractions.

This Boat Harbour property was originally part of a larger landholding that was once used as a market garden, growing vegetables for the area.

Subdivision creating the property occurred in the late 1990s. This specific lot was purchased by a local building designer, who conceived and created the development. Initial development consent for fifteen cabins, a manager’s residence and the main administration building was obtained from Council in 1999. A construction certificate was granted in January 2000 and immediately work began on the first two (2) cabins and the main building. The cabins were specifically designed for wheelchair accessibility and continue to be popular with ambulant challenged guests.

The resort initially opened with two (2) cabins and the main administration building in the later part of 2000. A further seven (7) cabins, the covered communal kitchen and dining area were added over the following years. Gardens and water features were established and the resort blossomed.

Current owners purchased the property in 2009 with the aim of evolving it into a health retreat and wellness centre. Further DA’s were obtained and new construction began soon after. Demand for weddings led to the construction of the huge covered open deck, behind the Yoga Studio. The impressive ‘Yoga Studio’ and the ‘Wellness Centre’, complete with therapy rooms, oxygen bar, sauna, floatation tank and additional amenities, were formally opened in 2017 by local dignitaries amidst much festivity and excitement.

Secluded cabins nestled amongst five (5) acres of melaleuca forest and subtropical gardens. A fern enclosed central billabong, running creeks along three boundaries and a large dam in the sooth-west corner of the site. This property is a tranquil paradise providing rest, relaxation and healing in a beautiful natural setting. It’s the perfect place to forget the pressures of work and busy lives.

The nine (9) cabins are privately located and well separated from each other. Plenty of distance to nearby neighbours makes it perfect for those looking for a secluded getaway. A large communal outdoor kitchen area with cooking facilities is great for mingling with other guests and casual group dining. Families and groups can dine together in an outdoor setting surrounded by the sound of a trickling stream and the other bush noises.

With double insulated metal roofs, thermal metal walls and reverse cycle air conditioning, each cabin is cool in summer and warm in the winter. Spacious ground floor has a King bedroom with dual access to the bathroom. Open plan living, dining and wheelchair accessible kitchen open onto front and rear verandahs on most of the cabins. Upstairs an open plan loft area has bedding for another six (6) people, depending on the individual cabin. Two of the cabins feature the added luxury of external spas in private rear courtyards.

Suitable for singles, couples, families and groups, a number of the cabins are also pet-friendly for guests who want to bring their furry friends.

The architecturally designed reception building, with its stunning floor-to-ceiling glass windows and exposed roof beams, creates a distinguished entrance at the end of the long asphalt driveway. Guests arriving are instantly aware they are somewhere very special. Many report feeling their burdens lifted as they ventured down the front driveway

Six (6) spacious therapy rooms with basins, dimmed led downlights and windows that open directly onto nature are located in the Wellness Centre main building. The rooms provide the space to offer a range of wellness and holistic treatments. A dedicated sauna room and another room housing a salt water floatation tank are located further down the curved hallway. A bathroom and staff area is located at the western end of the Wellness Centre.

Upstairs from reception a large open plan room with windows along the entire southern wall provides space for staff to retreat to. Internet stations are lined along the southern wall, for staff to use. Adjoining is another separate room with walk-in storage, bathroom facilities, kitchenette and an area for relaxing. Access through this room brings you to another resting room with plenty of additional storage and access onto a private balcony overlooking the large dam in the south-western corner of the property.

The reverse cycle air conditioned yoga studio complements the wellness activities. With its rosewood timber flooring, separate WC, lofted storage area and glass sliding doors opening under the rainforest canopy, it is the quintessential utility room. Equipped with TV and media outlets, the room is used for many other activities, including workshops and environmental conferences.

Behind the Yoga studio is the large covered entertaining area, built to retain existing trees within the floor space and directly open to the surrounding vegetation. With its natural setting and open floor area it is the perfect space for functions and conferences.

On-site facilities include a laundry, inground swimming pool, circular bicycle and walking path around the central area, fire pit and relaxing places within the tranquil gardens. The timber bridge and viewing platform crosses over the billabong and is a popular spot to view the turtles and water life. Relaxing on the bridge, hearing the water trickling down the cascading feature forms, provides a unique feeling of bliss. At night the whole lagoon springs to life with the sounds of the resident frogs and night life.

The property is perfect for nature lovers with a diverse population of local wildlife including koalas, possums, birds, lizards and several families of ducks freely wandering around the grounds.

Boat Harbour is central to the vast and varied attractions of Port Stephens, making this property an ideal location for accommodation or many redevelopment opportunities. With twenty-six (26) stunning beaches, a bay that is four (4) times the size of Sydney Harbour and the largest moving coastal sand dunes in the southern hemisphere, what a destination this is. A vast selection of recreational activities, renowned restaurants, championship golf courses, amazing cafes and a variety of shopping precincts are all at your doorstep.

The property is easily able to cater for visitors from further afield, with a short 25-minute drive to Newcastle Airport. This opens up direct flight access to Australia’s major metropolitan centres including Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and the Gold Coast. International flights are also available to a growing list of selected destinations. The local delights of Newcastle’s bars, beaches and boutiques are easily reached within 50 minutes. The famous wineries and attractions of the Hunter Valley are about 1 hour away and Sydney CBD is less than 2.5 hours drive.

Inclusions

The Property

  • Five acres of tranquil land, walking distance to One Mile Beach, Boat Harbour and Anna Bay
  • Wraparound driveway with pedestrian footpath and a bush track shortcut to One Mile Beach
  • Nine cabins in total, eight being fully wheelchair accessible, have been completed to date
  • Six more cabins are D.A. approved. One cabin has an existing Construction Certificate and can be be constructed at any time. The DA is activated and remains current
  • Each cabin has a main bedroom, bathroom, accessible kitchen and lounge room downstairs, the lofted bedroom upstairs can sleep another six people
  • Ample off-street parking, manicured lawns and established gardens over the property
  • Yoga studio provides classes for guests and the public
  • Huge covered deck, infused with nature, suitable for a plethora of uses
  • In-ground swimming pool, covered communal kitchen area, barbeques, picnic areas and little quiet places to sit and reflect
  • Bridge over the central lagoon with covered viewing platform to experience the Byron Bay made natural stream water feature
  • Property raised above flood levels when established in 2000. Current ownership commenced in April, 2009

Reception & Wellness Centre

  • Architecturally featured front reception room with stunning floor to ceiling windows. Stylish waiting room with tea station and oxygen bar
  • Six therapy rooms, each with basins, led down lights and windows opening to the outside
  • Sauna room and another room containing the floatation tank, separate shower and WC for the use of centre patrons
  • Split-system reverse recycled air conditioner and quality tiled flooring throughout

Staff Facilities Studio

  • Located above the Wellness centre with access from Reception is an open plan staff room with computer work stations and lots of storage
  • Staff facilities with kitchenette, bathroom, shower and wc, leading to a generous recreational area and additional storage
  • Private balcony looking out over the peaceful landscape
  • Split-system air conditioning unit servicing upstairs staff meal and recreational area


The Cabins

  • Nine cabins constructed so far, with activated D.A approval for a total of fifteen. Cabins specifically designed for wheelchair accessibility
  • All cabins have double insulated metal roofs and thermal metal walls
  • Open plan living, dining and kitchen downstairs with the main bedroom having ensuite access to the bathroom
  • Accessible shower, basin and WC with recessed shelving in the bathroom
  • Covered verandas at the front of all cabins and another at the back of five cabins
  • Two cabins feature luxury spas in a private outdoor courtyard located at the rear of the cabin
  • Internal timber staircase leads upstairs to additional guest bedding in a lofted setting
  • Recessed storage to the living room contains the television and media station
  • Split-system reversed cycle air conditioning units to all cabins


Yoga Studio

  • Quality rosewood timber floor boards throughout the studio
  • Tiled accessible WC and storage off the main entrance
  • Timber glass sliding doors open on the gardens and bring the natural light in
  • Split-system reverse cycle air conditioning unit controls the temperature to the studio when required

The Approved Development and Potential

  • Active development approval for an additional six cabins – no expiry on the approval
  • RE2 zoning - private recreational
  • Potential for further expansion for a conference centre and wedding venue
  • No height limit for future development potential

Location

  • Newcastle airport is located just 25 minutes drive away
  • The “Blue Water Wonderland” of Port Stephens offers a huge selection of recreational and tourist activities within minutes of this location.
  • Eight minutes drive to the Nelson Bay Marina, twelve minutes to Soldiers Point Marina and only 2 minutes to Anna Bay.
  • Access to Newcastle CBD in less than 50 minutes drive

Port Stephens Map

Around Port Stephens

One of the leading regional tourism destinations in NSW attracting around two million visitors per year, Port Stephens is a postcard perfect mix of native bushland, golden sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, set on the edge of a bay four (4) times the size of Sydney Harbour.

Scattered with charming seaside villages that line the rugged coastline of the peninsula, this blue water wonderland offers a diverse range of environments and an even wider array of both natural and manmade attractions to delight locals and tourists alike.

Heading north-east from Newcastle, passing through the sand hills and Williamtown suburb, Port Stephens’s true appeal unfolds as it moves from the typical inland suburban hubs to the cool coastal villages that capture families, retirees and weekend residents with their charms, and attract beach-seeking holidaymakers in their droves.

Located around half an hour from the coast, the bustling Newcastle Airport at Williamtown provides the perfect gateway to this region, welcoming flights from a growing number of domestic destinations including the major metropolitan centres of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Adelaide, as well as a seasonal international service to New Zealand.

Travel further towards the sea and you’ll discover rural and semi-rural villages such as Medowie, Salt Ash and Bob’s Farm, which are renowned for their flourishing agricultural industries including macadamia nuts and stone fruits, championship golf course and much-loved wildlife attractions.

A branch in the road offers the chance to explore the charms of the Tilligerry Peninsula, where you’ll find dense tracts of native bushland, scattered residential areas and an abundant population of koalas, with the end of the line bringing you out at historic Tanilba Bay, Mallabula and Lemon Tree Passage.

Back on the main road and you’ll skirt along the edge of the dense bushland of Worimi Regional Park before turning off to take the scenic route along the coastline through some of the Port’s most popular tourist spots.

Birubi Beach at Anna Bay is the entry point to the awe-inspiring Stockton Bight sand dunes in the Worimi Conservation Lands, which are the largest moving coastal dunes in the southern hemisphere. Covering 32 kilometres and reaching heights of 40 metres, the monumental dunes offer an adrenaline-packed adventure with local tour operators running 4WD tours, quad bikes, camel rides and horseback experiences.

Boat Harbour is the next key settlement and is one of the picturesque places along this stretch of coastline where the bush meets the sea. The Oasis sits in the middle of secluded coves, golden sand beaches, tranquil coastal walks and stunning rainforest backdrops which provide natural appeal, with the headland offering the perfect spot to watch the annual whale migration from May to November.

Just next door lies One Mile Beach, one of Port Stephens most popular patrolled surf beaches, catering for novices right through to the more experiences surfers seeking the ultimate clean ride, while the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary takes you amongst the treetops for an educational and entertaining look at one of our most-loved, but sadly endangered, native icons.

Stretching from here through to the very tip of the peninsula at Shoal Bay with a detour around the popular seaside hamlet of Fingal Bay, Tomaree National Park is a nature-lover’s paradise with numerous walking trails and tracks winding their way through the 2310-hectare area of dense bushland. Not to be missed is the 2.2km return trek to the Tomaree Head Summit, which delivers panoramic views of Yacaaba Head, Cabbage Tree, Boondelbah and Broughton Islands from the north platform and Zenith, Wreck and Box Beaches, Fingal Island and Point Stephens Lighthouse to the south. Being the most easterly point on the Port Stephens peninsula, providing fantastic views and in close proximity to Newcastle airport, Newcastle city and the Hunter Valley, Tomaree Headland is a popular tourist destination.

Shoal Bay itself offers a calm coastal village atmosphere, with a range of dining, shopping and accommodation options overlooking the soft white sand and turquoise waters of the bay for which it is named, while an easy walk to the northern end of the beach brings you to a road which accesses a lighthouse, marine museum and delicious tea rooms.

Further west around the peninsula delivers you to the beating heart of this region, with Nelson Bay home to the bustling d’Albora Marinas and its myriad of tourism and boating activities including the suburb’s famed dolphin and whale watching cruises, scuba diving operators and deep sea fishing charter boats, as well as 200 wet berths and jet ski storage.

The marina is surrounded by a range of retail outlets, restaurants and cafes, ensuring the waterfront precinct remains busy all year round while the suburb is also home to full mix of amenities you’d expect to find in a major urban area, including hospital and medical services, sporting and recreational facilities, quality schooling, supermarkets and retail outlets.

Continue tracing your way west along the coastline and you’ll pass through the region’s remaining popular getaways of Corlette, Salamander Bay and Soldiers Point, which offer spectacular seaside walks and vistas alongside more densely populated residential escapes.

While Port Stephens has more than enough of its own attractions for endless adventures along the coast, the region is also within easy reach of bigger city attractions, with Newcastle and its vibrant city centre, renowned cultural and dining destinations and spectacular natural landscapes of its own less than 60 minutes away, while new experiences are around every corner in the cosmopolitan capital of Sydney, which is less than three hours down the M1 motorway. Many key tourist attractions including the vineyards of Pokolbin are only an hour’s drive away in the popular Hunter Valley.

Location Travel Time From Location
One Mile 1 mins driving, 5 mins walking
Boat Harbour 2 mins driving, 15 mins walking
Anna Bay 3 mins driving, 25 mins walking
Nelson Bay 8 mins driving, 2hrs walking
Fingal Beach 18 mins driving, 3 hrs walking along coastal trail
Tomaree Head 18 mins driving, 4 hrs walking along coastal trail
Newcastle Airport 25 mins driving
Medowie 27 mins driving
Raymond Terrace 35 mins driving
Stockton 35 mins driving
Newcastle 53 mins driving
Maitland 51 mins driving
Pokolbin 1 hour 18 mins driving
Sydney 2 hours 29 mins driving
  • Michael's Primary School, Nelson Bay (K - 6)
  • Anna Bay Public School (K - 6)
  • Phillips Christian College (K - 12)
  • Tomaree High School (7 - 12)
  • Hunter TAFE - Tomaree Campus (10 +)
  • Catherine McAuley College, Medowie (7-12, opening 2020)
  • Middle Rock Café and Bar
  • Rubi Blue Cafe-Restaurant
  • One Mile Café
  • Anna Bay Tavern
  • Crest Birubi Beach
  • D'Albora Marina restaurants & cafés
  • The Point Restaurant, Nelson Bay
  • Little Beach Boat House
  • Shoal Bay Country Club
  • Seabreeze Hotel & Restaurant, Nelson Bay
  • Salamander Shopping Centre (Woolworths, Coles, Aldi)
  • Coles Nelson Bay
  • Nelson Bay Town Centre
  • IGA Plus Nelson Bay
  • Boat Harbour North Headland Playground
  • Boat Harbour Off-leash Dog Exercise Area
  • Boat Harbour Whale Watch Lookout
  • Stockton sand dunes
  • Nelson Bay Golf Club
  • Tomaree National Park
  • Horizons Championship Golf Course
  • Gan Gan Lookout
  • Tomaree Headland Walking Trail and Lookout

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About us

Agent Details

Chris Henry

Managing Director / Licensee

Whether he’s providing guidance and direction to the River team or working one-on-one with his clients to achieve the best outcome, Chris leads from the front with a hands-on passion for the industry and deep commitment to personal and professional development.

Working with transformative Australian and international mentors, Chris combines his on-the-ground experience with expertise gleaned from the global business coaching community to offer a trusted source of advice for clients as he guides them through some of the most emotionally and financially important moments of their lives.

Surrounded by a highly skilled leadership team, Chris provides a steady hand to steer the business in the right direction as it evolves into a full-service real estate agency, which goes beyond buying, selling and property management to encapsulate innovation, technology, property maintenance and marketing.  

Agent Details

Tom Cohen

Property Sales Representative

After carving out a successful career in the mining industry, Tom was ready to invest his drive and commitment to hard work in a new direction.

Drawn to the possibilities offered by the real estate industry, Tom completed his certificate of registration before joining the Property Management team at River in late 2018.

Motivated to gain a foothold in the sales side of the business as well, Tom powered through every professional development and training course he could get his hands on and was rewarded with a position on Chris Henry’s team less than 12 months after joining the business.

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