Leslie Massey
Wilderness Island, an island off the coast of Exmouth in Western Australia, was put up for sale in 2020. The island was bought by Jim Alston in 2005, who was later joined by his partner Kim Nguyen in 2010. Together, they built an eco-tourism business called Wilderness Island Safari Holidays, which offers guests a unique holiday experience in the Australian wilderness. Despite the business's success, the couple decided to sell the island due to the financial strain and time-consuming nature of the project.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Exmouth Gulf, North West Australia |
| Size | 1km long, 0.5km wide, 2 hectares |
| Features | Sandy beaches, limestone cliffs, sand dunes, mangroves, dirt airstrip |
| Marine Life | Whales, dugongs, manta rays, turtles, dolphins |
| Activities | Fishing, whale watching, snorkelling, kayaking, bird watching, stargazing |
| Accommodation | Glamping tents, main lodge, 6 standalone cabins with en-suites |
| Food | Freshly caught seafood, oysters |
| Cost | $635-$700 per person per day, $3000 to rent the whole island |
| Status | For sale as of 2020, closed from May 2023-2024 |
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What You'll Learn
Wilderness Island Safari Holidays
The island is described as a "fishing and ecological paradise" and offers guests a range of activities, including fishing, whale watching, snorkelling, kayaking, bird watching, and exploring. It is also known for its stunning natural scenery and peaceful atmosphere, making it an ideal destination for relaxation and stargazing.
The island is accessible by boat or plane, with a 10-minute flight or one-hour boat ride from Exmouth. It is located adjacent to the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area and spans two hectares, featuring a main lodge, standalone cabins, and a 700-metre dirt airstrip.
Overall, Wilderness Island Safari Holidays offers a unique and unforgettable holiday experience in a secluded and pristine natural environment. It is highly regarded by guests for its combination of adventure, relaxation, and immersion in the beauty of Western Australia's nature.
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Owners Jim Alston and Kim Nguyen
In 2020, Wilderness Island, Australia, was put up for sale by its owners, Jim Alston and Kim Nguyen. The couple had appeared on the Channel 5 show New Lives in the Wild three years earlier, in which Alston, then 48, told presenter Ben Fogle that he had bought the island in 2005 after a paragliding accident that left him wheelchair-bound for two years. Inspired by the story of Robinson Crusoe, he built a house and several huts that could be rented by tourists. Nguyen, then 31, joined him five years later, and the couple spent a decade working on the island together.
Despite turning over around $50,000 AUD a year, Nguyen and Alston were struggling to break even. They told Fogle that their vision had become a "money pit" and a "time-consuming and draining project". They explained that they were tired of constantly working and not being able to enjoy the island, and wanted more quality time together. During the episode, the couple also revealed that they had recently gotten engaged.
Alston and Nguyen met while Nguyen was backpacking across Australia with a friend after graduating from college. Nguyen, who is from Denmark, had initially thought of their romance as a "summer fling". However, she was drawn to the island after a life-altering car accident that left her with a broken neck. She felt that Alston, who had been through a similar experience, understood her.
Wilderness Island, located near Exmouth in Western Australia, is described as a "fishing and ecological paradise". It offers visitors a unique and exclusive experience, with activities such as fishing, whale watching, snorkelling, kayaking, bird watching, and stargazing. The island spans two hectares and includes a main lodge, six standalone cabins with en-suites, a workshop, a desalination plant, moorings for three vessels, and a 700-metre dirt airstrip. It is accessible by boat or plane.
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The island's unique selling points
Wilderness Island, an island off the coast of Exmouth in Western Australia, is a fishing and ecological paradise. The island is around 1.6 km long and 800 meters wide and features sandy beaches, limestone cliffs, sand dunes, and mangroves. The pristine waters host an incredible variety of marine life, including whales, dugongs, manta rays, turtles, and dolphins, making it one of Australia's premier fishing destinations.
The island is also a great location for spending alone time with a loved one or for a group of friends to catch up. Visitors can enjoy a range of activities such as fishing, whale watching, snorkelling, kayaking, bird watching, exploring, and stargazing. The accommodation is rustic yet comfortable, with glamping tents and open-air ensuites that provide modern conveniences while allowing guests to feel at one with nature.
The island is also home to an eco-tourism business, Wilderness Island Safari Holidays, which has been operating for over a decade. The business includes a main lodge, six standalone cabins with en-suites, a workshop, a desalination plant, moorings for three vessels, and a 700-meter dirt airstrip. The current owners, Jim Alston and Kim Nguyen, provide fantastic meals daily, with most of the ingredients sourced fresh from the island.
Wilderness Island is a unique and exclusive holiday destination that offers an unforgettable experience in a pristine and untouched environment. It is the perfect place for those seeking a wilderness experience with a touch of luxury.
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The financial burden of owning the island
The financial burden of owning an island was too much for the owners of Wilderness Island, Australia. Jim Alston and Kim Nguyen bought the island in 2005, and it became a passion project for the couple. They built a house and several huts for tourists, and ran an eco-tourism business, Wilderness Island Safari Holidays, for 14 years. However, despite turning over around $50,000 AUD a year, they struggled to break even.
The island is located off the coast of Exmouth in Western Australia, and spans two hectares. It includes a main lodge, six standalone cabins with en-suites, a workshop, a desalination plant, moorings for three vessels, and a 700-metre dirt airstrip. The cost of maintaining these facilities, as well as the general upkeep of the island, proved to be a significant financial burden for the owners.
Running an island as a business comes with unique challenges and expenses. The remote location of Wilderness Island means that accessing supplies and services is difficult and costly. Basic necessities such as food, water, and fuel must be brought in, and any construction or maintenance work requires specialised labour and materials. The owners also had to invest in infrastructure such as the desalination plant and the airstrip, which would have been costly to build and maintain.
In addition to the operational costs, there are also the financial risks associated with running a small, niche business. The success of Wilderness Island Safari Holidays relies on a constant stream of bookings and low cancellation rates. As the business is dependent on occupancy, cancellations can result in significant losses, especially if they occur within a short period before the booking date. The owners also have to consider the impact of unforeseen circumstances, such as inclement weather, which may force them to cancel or postpone trips, further affecting their income.
The financial burden of owning and operating Wilderness Island took a toll on the owners, who found themselves working constantly without enjoying their project or having time for each other. Despite the unique and amazing experiences the island offered, the financial realities became too much to bear, and the owners ultimately made the difficult decision to sell their beloved island.
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The island's location and accessibility
Wilderness Island is located in the Exmouth Gulf in North West Australia, on the eastern side of the gulf. It is described as a "speck on a map of Australia", about one kilometre long and half a kilometre wide. The island is accessible by boat or plane, with travel times of about an hour and 10 minutes, respectively. It is positioned near the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area, which is known for its pristine wilderness and marine life.
The island is described as a fishing and ecological paradise, offering an exclusive and unforgettable experience to small groups. It boasts a range of natural features, including sandy beaches, limestone cliffs, sand dunes, and mangroves. The surrounding waters are home to an incredible variety of marine life, including whales, dugongs, manta rays, turtles, and dolphins, making it one of Australia's premier fishing destinations.
The island is also known for its unique glamping experience, providing comfortable tents with open-air en-suites, allowing guests to feel at one with nature while enjoying modern conveniences. The hosts, Jim and Kim, are praised for their hospitality and fantastic meals, with fresh seafood being a highlight for many visitors.
Wilderness Island is accessible for private hire, with prices ranging from $635 to $700 per day for an individual, and $3,000 per day to rent out the entire island. It offers a range of activities, such as fishing, whale watching, snorkelling, kayaking, bird watching, exploring, and stargazing, making it a versatile and appealing destination for nature lovers and those seeking relaxation.
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Frequently asked questions
It is unclear if Wilderness Island sold, but it was on the market for $1 million in 2021.
The island was owned by Jim Alston and Kim Nguyen, who lived on the island and ran an eco-tourism business.
The owners decided to sell because the project was time-consuming and draining, and they were struggling financially.
Activities included fishing, whale watching, snorkelling, kayaking, bird watching, and stargazing.
Wilderness Island is located off the coast of Exmouth in Western Australia.
