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Always wanted to own a luxury ecotourism site? Now could be your chance

Ownership of the NSW South Coast site has fallen through.

The Surfside site. Picture supplied
The Surfside site. Picture supplied
Lucinda Garbutt-Young
Updated July 30, 2025, first published July 29, 2025

If you're looking for an opportunity to develop a property in the ecotourism space this could be the chance you've been waiting for.

A property planned for luxury ecotourism on the NSW south coast is now available following the liquidation of the current owner.

The property at 2A Myamba Parade, Surfside, just north-east of Batemans Bay, is being sold via expressions of interest.

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The site, which is just over one hectare in size, sits between the quiet Surfside and Cullendulla beaches, surrounded by bushland.

The land is zoned for environmental living and low-density residential. An approved development application means the site could be used for up to 17 glamping tents, 23 two or three-bedroom units, a pool, dining and communal spaces.

The Canberra Times understands the site was sold to The Whale Hotel Pty Ltd in January 2022 for the development of accommodation, to be known as The Sapphire Batemans. It transcated for $3.6 million at the time, official records show.

The Whale Hotel, along with four related companies, including Core Asset Development Pty Ltd, was placed into liquidation earlier this year.

A notice for winding up was released by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission on February 25, 2025.

But for the right new buyer, the suburb has strong tourism demand, with annual capital growth of 12 per cent and 74 per cent short-term accommodation occupancy, according to AirRoi.

"With strong tourism demand, low vacancy rates in short-term rentals and accommodation, and ongoing infrastructure investment in Batemans Bay, the timing couldn't be better," Colliers NSW residential director Nathan Berlyn, who is selling the property with Colliers' Matthew Winter, said.

The property borders Cullendulla Creek Nature Reserve and is just three minutes from the centre of Batemans Bay. Regular flights to Sydney are available out of Moruya Airport.

It is also within the Batemans Bay masterplan growth area, which is expected to increase the area's density by tenfold over the next 80 years.

Expressions of interest are open for the property until August 28.

Lucinda Garbutt-Young

Lucinda Garbutt-Young is a public sector and federal politics reporter. She was previously The Canberra Times' property reporter and national video lead, after coming to the capital via the Newcastle Herald. Got a tip? Email her at l.garbutt-young@austcommunitymedia.com.au