The lavish Orpheus island resort on the world famous Great Barrier Reef which has hosted celebrities such as singer Elton John and actress Vivien Leigh has been on sale for just AU$10 million, some five million less than it was bought for five years ago.
Now it is reported that after some fierce bidding it has been bought by Computershare founder Chris Morris. The Melbourne based businessman, who started the investment services provider and now runs hotel chain Colonial Leisure Group, said the resort would reopen in July after minor refurbishments.
Morris said the resort would be part of his CLG group, which currently runs 15 hotels, including the well known Portsea Hotel in Victoria.
According to selling agent Paul Nyholt of CB Richard Ellis, there had been 150 inquiries regarding the island resort from Australia and overseas, most of them high net worth individuals and hotel resort owners. ‘The market for islands is limited and we don't often see them come on the market,’ he told The Australian.
The tropical island is 190 kilometres southeast of Cairns and 80 kilometres northwest of Townsville and is accessible by seaplane, boat and helicopter. It includes 21 waterfront guestrooms, a bar and restaurant, gymnasium, tennis court, two swimming pools and guest facilities.
As well as Elton John, singer-actor Phil Collins has been a guest, and it is understood Hollywood stars Mickey Rooney and Vivien Leigh, who starred in the 1939 Hollywood classic Gone With the Wind, have also stayed at the glamorous resort.
It was sold with a seven hectare elevated lot that has development potential. The rest of the 1,368 hectare island is mainly national park.
