The sale of a multimillion-dollar lakeside getaway in the Sunshine Coast hinterland has attracted interest from as far away as Europe and South Africa.
Offers to purchase Secrets on the Lake, Montville, closed on July 24 after an international marketing campaign.
Marketing agent Nathan Beasley said there had been offers from interested parties in France and South Africa, as well as locally.
He said an online advertisement had reached more than 100,000 people, more than 20,000 had viewed a video, and 50 inquiries had been received for the “world-class” accommodation and wedding venue.
Secrets on the Lake is said to be worth $20 million just in infrastructure, putting the prestige property well out of reach of most buyers.
Mr Beasley said a number of offers had been received, which would be put to owners George and Aldy Johnston for their consideration.
He said the offers included cash offers, Bitcoin offers and offers subject to conditions.
He said it would be up to the Johnstons to decided which, if any, offers best suited them and the property.
Mr Beasley expected the Johnstons would look for a buyer who would respect the work they’ve put in, as well as the value of the offer put forward.
Secrets on the Lake has been a labour of love for the Johnstons, who had a dream of creating a resort when their farm on the banks of Obi Obi Creek was resumed for Baroon Pocket Dam in the 1980s.
Related story: End of an era: exclusive hinterland retreat hits market for $20m
A good friend and neighbour, Steve Weiss, offered to sell them land on Narrows Road and they opened Secrets on the Lake in 1997, adding to it as time went on.
The 15ha property, which has 800m of lake frontage, includes assorted treehouse-style accommodation, an old railway station building, a wedding chapel, restaurant lounge, gallery and owners’ villa.
Mr Beasley said it was “humbling” to be able to offer the property for sale for the Johnstons given its standard and the work that had gone into it.
“It’s the 13th wonder of the world – that’s what I call it,” he said.
Mr Beasley’s relationship with the Johnstons began when Mr Johnston came into the electrical store where he worked 15 years ago to buy a kettle.
“I was married on the property. I love them. They’re like grandparents to my kids,” he said.
Mr Beasley said he appreciated the Johnstons’ trust in him and wanted to see that they properly benefitted from their years of hard work.
“I’ll never be able to work as hard as what they’ve done. I’m not the person that’s invested my entire life’s work and it’s their entire life’s work that needs to be realised here,” he said.
Auction results
73 Palm Drive, Mooloolaba
- Passed in for $1.8m, contact agent
- 3 Bed, 3 Bath, 2 Car, Pool
- Ray White, Brent Higgins and Jacob Hussey
33/101 Birtinya Boulevard, Birtinya
- Sold prior for $595,000
- 2 Bed, 1 Bath, 1 Car
- Ray White, Dan McNamara
12 Red Ash Court, Beerwah
- Sold prior for $775,000
- 3 Bed, 2 Bath, 2 Car
- Ray White (Mooloolaba), Michael Chapman
1 Colsak Close, Palmwoods
- Passed in for $800,000, contact agent
- 3 Bed, 1 Bath, 2 Car
- Ray White (Mooloolaba), Michael Chapman
1015/9 Market Lane, Maroochydore
- Sold under the hammer for $1.265m
- 3 Bed, 2 Bath, 2 Car
- Ray White, Niall Molloy and Ari Whisson
58 Parkway Drive, Mooloolaba
- Passed in for $1.3m, contact agent
- 3 Bed, 1 Bath, 1 Car
- Ray White, James Goldsworthy
