16 Sep 2022
Words Staff Writers Australian Property Journal

Local snaps up Moreton Island’s Castaways

Castaways on Moreton, in Bulwer on Moreton Island – the world’s third largest sand island – is now in the hands of Bulwer residents Craig and Belinda Wilson, who own Moreton Island Wilderness camp.

ResortBrokers’ Alex Cook and Gold Coast broker Steve Campbell sold the property on behalf of Moreton Island Adventures.

“The store is the only seller of fuel and gas on the island and is the only reliable source of fresh groceries, milk, bread and other household essentials,” Cook said. It also has a café that is open for breakfast and lunch, seats up to 75 people, and is popular with visitors and guests. The new owners will be expanding the operational hours of the shop and café from the outset. They will now be open seven days a week, for longer hours, and provide dinners on the weekend.

The accommodation part of the business comprises eight self-contained units, 11 eco-cabins, and a large self-contained lodge. The majority of these sit on freehold land, with the exception of the eco-cabins which sit on government land on a leasehold basis.

“The self-contained lodge, popular with international backpacking groups, has been largely non-operational since the pandemic. Moreton Island Wilderness Camp specialises in school trips, so are poised to ramp up this part of the business very quickly,” Cook said.

Moreton Island Adventures, which own and operate the Moreton Island Ferry (MICAT), purchased the property in 2008 and brought the business back to life with a number of improvements, including the addition of the eco cabins.

“Castaways has benefited from the resurgence in domestic tourism since pandemic restrictions lifted and there exists myriad revenue streams ripe for growth and improvement,” Campbell said.

Bulwer is one of three townships on the island and is a 10-kilometre drive from the vehicle ferry landing point at the Tangalooma Wrecks.