Buy your own nature reserve - COUNTRY MATTERS: [1 Edition]
Stapleton, John. The Australian; Canberra, A.C.T. [Canberra, A.C.T] 06 Apr 2001: 36.
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Abstract
The property covers sectioned rainforest and bushland with a 2.5 kilometre drive-through safari featuring more than 250 head of deer of four different species, fallow, red, rusa and chital, the latter originating from India and regarded as one of the most beautiful species in the world.
Other features include a koala habit, home to 15 koalas all bred at Forest Glen, as well as a koala cuddling photographic area particularly for Japanese and American tourists.
Forest Glen was carved out of native bushland more than 20 years ago by New Zealander Rick Diesal and changed hands several times in rapid succession before Buck Gibson and his family bought it in 1992.
THE deer, emus and kangaroos come right up to the car window. It's not every day someone inspecting a property gets so much attention from the locals.
But a rare opportunity has come up to buy your very own nature reserve, Forest Glen Sanctuary on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.
The 23-hectare wildlife sanctuary, set in the western foothills of Buderim township on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, is up for sale with price expectations of about $2.5 million.
Forest Glen won the 1998, 1999 and 2000 Sunshine Coast tourism awards for excellence and is pitched at the international and domestic markets.
The property covers sectioned rainforest and bushland with a 2.5 kilometre drive-through safari featuring more than 250 head of deer of four different species, fallow, red, rusa and chital, the latter originating from India and regarded as one of the most beautiful species in the world.
Emus, kangaroos and wallabies also roam the estate. Most of the animals are not penned.
Other features include a koala habit, home to 15 koalas all bred at Forest Glen, as well as a koala cuddling photographic area particularly for Japanese and American tourists.
Thanks to digital technology, high-quality photographs of tourists with the koalas can be e-mailed anywhere in the world within minutes.
There is also a southern hairy-nosed wombat habitat and a nocturnal house with possums, bandicoots and sugar gliders.
Forest Glen was carved out of native bushland more than 20 years ago by New Zealander Rick Diesal and changed hands several times in rapid succession before Buck Gibson and his family bought it in 1992.
"The business needed stability," Mr Gibson said. "We have rejuvenated the park and given it a new lease of life. We're selling for family reasons. I am sure when they're older my kids will say: `Why did you sell, Dad?'
"Forest Glen is a very good purchase for a family business. It would be a great opportunity for a family with several members and a wide range of interests. There is ample opportunity to enhance the financial performance without huge outlays."
Mr Gibson said much of their business came from being an integral part of package tours for the region. Entrance to the park is $37 for a family of five. The park has an annual turnover in the order of $1 million a year, with net profit of $230,000-$270,000 and gross trading profit in excess of $700,000.
A breakdown of revenue indicates that 52 per cent of revenue comes from park admissions, 20 per cent from the retail shop, 12 per cent from koala photographs and 15 per cent from cafe sales.
Facilities include Rainforest Lodge, with a fully licensed cafe and function area, barbecues and picnic grounds, amenities and children's play area, retail gift and souvenir shop, administration office and boardroom. Devonshire teas are served overlooking a rainforest bush garden.
There are two residences, the main homestead, a four-bedroom brick home, and a four-bedroom weatherboard cottage. Ten full- and part-time staff work at the sanctuary, including wildlife experts, tour guides and caterers. All can stay on as required.
Agent Peter Flaskas from Hayes and Co at Maroochydore said that despite the business being well established and profitable it still offered growth potential, with the low dollar creating opportunities.
Unused land along the Bruce Highway, if utilised imaginatively, could generate additional income, he said.
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