Idyllic retreat ripe for tourism

Kokowhai Bay. Photo / Supplied

St Kilda estate, also known as Kokowhai Bay, within Admiralty Bay at the top of the South Island, is being marketed for sale as a property with significant tourism potential - especially for visitors interested in eco-tourism attractions.

The beautiful lifestyle property is adjacent to a privately owned wildlife sanctuary at the centre of one of the most important conservation archipelagos in New Zealand.

The St Kilda property comprises a 1930s-style 4-bedroom and 2-bathroom bungalow home with rear porch, a large 185sq m workshop with garaging, second detached garage, a magnificent stone wharf, shed, and numerous out-buildings. The homestead is serviced by mains power and telephone lines, and is surrounded by established trees and gardens, landscaped stream, paths, and lawns.

The islands surrounding St Kilda are home to many endangered native wildlife species, including takahe, kaka, weka, king shags and tuatara. The outer Pelorus Sound around St Kilda is famous for its marine wildlife including a large variety of seabirds, several species of dolphin, stingrays, fur seals, and the occasional orca.

St Kilda features 2km of scenic coastline within Admiralty Bay, a huge body of water separating the outer Pelorus Peninsula from D'Urville Island at the top of the South Island. The 150ha reserve was established by Pelorus Wildlife Sanctuaries Limited and offers access to walking trails, mountain biking, excellent fishing, and the hunting of game such as wild pigs and deer which are all classified as environmental pests.

Next door to St Kilda is the Te Kopi Wildlife Sanctuary, which is also owned by Pelorus Wildlife Sanctuaries Limited. The company's aim is eventually sell an additional 12 Te Kopi sanctuary estates ranging in size from 1.2ha to 150ha and mostly around 30ha, starting from a sales price of only $500,000. However, only 20 per cent of the total land owned by Pelorus is being taken to market with the remaining 80 per cent staying in native forest for perpetuity. Both St Kilda and Te Kopi lifestyle block sites are being marketed for sale by Michael Pleciak of Bayleys Auckland.

"St Kilda and Te Kopi are located in one of the most remote outreaches of New Zealand," Pleciak says. "In fact, the township of Bulwer which was established in 1859, was one of the last settlements in the country to be made accessible by road when that was finally completed in the 1990s. Before then, the only way in was by boat."

St Kilda has two deepwater moorings and a large stone wharf. Nelson and Blenheim are about two-and-a-half-hour drives from the property with the journey through French Pass to St Kilda being described as "one of New Zealand's most scenic drives".

Pleciak says much of the land at St Kilda is northwest facing - with several kilometres of outstanding walking trails through native bush, including a trail to Kokowhai (Turner's) Peak - a 680m mountain that crowns the property on its eastern boundary.

The four-hour return trail offers views to Mt Taranaki, D'Urville Island and French Pass, beyond to Farewell Spit and the mountains of the Nelson region. An additional 100km of walking and mountain biking tracks wind their way through the neighbouring Te Kopi wildlife sanctuary.

"The greater peninsula on which St Kilda is located is some 20km long, and with its 150km of coastline, is one of the most ecologically-rich areas in New Zealand," says Pleciak.

"Most of the peninsula is very difficult to access and enjoy apart from by boat. What makes St Kilda different is that it is accessible which from a tourism and business perspective is very important. The natural attributes on the property combine to provide a very special property that could lend itself to a lodge, backpacker or hotel use.

"The property is attractive as a tourism venture as it offers existing accommodation and ability to expand and create more accommodation. It would suit overnight travellers or day trippers and offers privacy, wildlife and sealife with outstanding views."

Some of the business ventures Pleciak envisages include guided walks, fishing trips and kayaking and possibly some food outlets for day trippers with council approval.

Pleciak says refurbishment is ongoing at the Bulwer Hotel, about a 40-minute drive from St Kilda, where the Recovery Bar and Restaurant has been in operation for several years.

"Plans are already well under way to develop the area's tourism potential, but by the same token, St Kilda and the other sanctuary estates could easily be retained 'as is' and kept as large lifestyle retreats."

Pleciak says that despite its remote location, St Kilda is accessible by seaplane or helicopter from Wellington in about 25 minutes.