Summary
Wallis Island is a nature reserve near Forster, New South Wales, Australia. It was created in January 1983 and covers an area of 584ha (454.5 acres).[1] It sits within Wallis Lake, just south of the Coolongolook River. It is known for the Forster (Wallis Island) Airport and a $20 million Australian chateau [2] which was built on land reportedly bought for $290,000 in 1996.
Chateau Le Marais edit
The five-storey Chateau Le Marais, built by antique collectors Andre and Cecile Fink, is one of the most glamorous fishing retreats, considered to be self-sufficient with its own electricity generation system and solar panels. The property is also a private nature reserve, as it adjoins a 584ha national park on the Wallis Island.[3] The luxurious property was initially intended to serve as the Finks' home and as a showroom for their antiques. However, following the 2007 financial crisis, the Finks' antique business took a hit and, in 2010, the couple were forced to put up the incomplete mansion for sale in 2010, with a price tag of $20 million.[4]
In 2019, the mansion is valued at around $16 million.[5]
References edit
- ^ "Wallis Island Nature Reserve - NSW National Parks". NSW National Parks.
- ^ "Combine glamour and great fishing for $20 million".
- ^ "Glamour and great fishing for $20m". www.dailytelegraph.com.au. 5 July 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
- ^ "Fink sinks a fortune on Wallis Island: photos". Great Lakes Advocate. 19 May 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
- ^ Chesher, Isabelle (16 April 2019). "'Nothing similar': The Wallis Island chateau-style mansion accessible only by sea or air". Domain. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
External links edit
- Wallis Lake Nature Reserves Draft Plan of Management
32°12′50″S 152°28′48″E / 32.214°S 152.480°E