Mothballed Hawkesbury River camp owned by entrepreneur Ian Gowrie-Smith hits the market
An old 1950s Outward Bound property set on a stunning peninsular jutting into the Hawkesbury River, which was bought by its wealthy next-door neighbour 17 years ago and mothballed to ensure peace and quiet, has hit the market again.
The 3.2-hectare block at Fishermans Point on Berowra Creek, with uninterrupted water views, has about a dozen building in what the agent listing says is “original condition”, including a 26-bedroom boarding house capable of sleeping 120 people, and a commercial kitchen and recreational facilities. It has a price guide of between $4.4 million and $4.8 million.
“It’s a truly unique slice of paradise,” said LJ Hooker Terrigal agent Tim Andrews. “It would be perfect for developing into a resort or health retreat, or even a beautiful wedding venue.
“It’s so quiet, with its own peninsular, and it even has its own desalination plant and has mains town electricity. It’s on four separate titles, but we’re selling them, at this stage, in one line.”
The property was run as a school camp before it was bought by its current owner. Photo: Supplied
The bushland site was originally owned by Outward Bound Australia, which started its camping and adventure activities there in 1956. In 1974 the camp and land was bought by Knox Grammar School for its own camps for boys to learn outside the classroom and develop skills in teamwork, leadership and overcoming challenges.
When a new principal took over Knox and the chief financial officer felt funds could be better used elsewhere, Fishermans Point was again sold in 2000 – and this time bought by its neighbour, Australian-born, London-based entrepreneur Ian Gowrie-Smith.
He visits his nearby estate about once a month from his home in England, his African game park and the islands he owns in PNG, said Mr Andrews, and wanted to make sure he could enjoy both the solitude and the silence.
The property can sleep up to 120 and comes with a desalination plant and helipad, among other things. Photo: Supplied
“Now he’s decided he has other things he wants to do around the world and it’s time to let go of the site.
“He loves the area, but feels it’s time to sell the camp as he’ll be spending less time here in future.”
Mr Gowrie-Smith, originally from Griffith, in NSW, made his fortune in pharmaceutical and mining investments, and his friends include Prince Charles, with whom he studied at Geelong Grammar, and Prince Andrew – the pair abseiled Europe’s tallest building, The Shard in London, in 2012 to raise funds for charity.
Huts on the property, sometime between 1956 and 1974, when it was owned by Outward Bound. Photo: Outward Bound
His property portfolio includes a wide variety of commercial and residential real estate. Among them, he owns a castle in Lithuania, the Conflict Islands in PNG, a game reserve with trout fishing in South Africa, at least one home in London and his home on the Hawkesbury River.
Fishermans Point is accessible only by water, seaplane or helicopter, and has an inclinator up from the water. It also has reliable mobile phone and internet coverage, a boat shed and natural spring water.
It’s a 45-minute drive from Sydney, followed by a short boat ride, or 40 minutes from Pittwater by boat. The site is for sale via expressions of interest.
