Charlie's Place, Hollyford Track, Fiordland, New Zealand, Access details

“Frequently Asked Questions”
Wilderness Retreat, Fiordland National Park

Q 1.	Being freehold (deeded) land in a World Heritage Park, are these titles transferable?
Ans.	Yes ... These title are transferable - refer to the letter in "Documents" from Cruickshank Pryde (Barristers & Solicitors) confirming that the ownership of these titles are transferable "without impediment".
Q 2.	Because of the sensitive location of such titles, inside a New Zealand National Park, can the owner develop?
Ans.	Yes ... Refer to the letter in "Documents" from the Minister of Conservation, confirming the right of the owner to develop subject to NZ bureaucracy such as R.M.A. (Resource Management Act) and S.P.O. (Scenic Protection Order). Note: All land in New Zealand is subject to the R.M.A.
Q 3.	Can an Overseas person buy this property?
Ans.	*Yes they can,* but first they have to make an application to the OIC (Overseas Investment Commission) to prove that they are of appropriate character. This involves a application fee of approximately 3,500 NZ Dollars. Note. Charlie can sell the individual 1000 square metre title (Title with Lodge on) to an overseas person without an application to the OIC as it is under the 0.4 hectare restriction. But to sell both titles shown in this package to the same overseas person requires an application by that person to the OIC as the total land area for both titles is over O.4 hectare restriction set by the Overseas Investmant Commission. (Charlie would prefer to sell both titles together)
Q 4.	Why are there freehold titles inside the Fiordland National Park?
Ans.	Back in 1870 the New Zealand government tried to settle this remote, mountainous area by surveying off a town (Jamestown Bay) in the rainforest on the shores of Lake McKerrow. However the location was too remote and tough and the the few families that were settled in Jamestown Bay were all gone by 1877. However the titles (Deeded land) remained, most of which were "abandoned" by the owners with the land reverting back to the crown (Government) and subsequently absorbed into the National Park when it was formed in 1902. Some owners however, retained ownership by paying rates on the titles and passing them down through their families over the years. Today only 25 or 26 titles remain in 3 million acres of Fiordland National Park. Jamestown has 5 of them, 2 of which are in this package.
Q 5.	What was the last land sale in Jamestown Bay?
Ans.	Back in 1995 Charlie sold an undeveloped 1/4 acre (1000 sq. m.) for $NZ80,000 + conditions (additional value $5 - 10,000). At the same time he was offered $NZ277,000 for the land only that is now offered in this package. Bear in Mind that since 1995 daily visitor numbers to Milford Sound have gone from 2000 to 4000 and increasing. And property values in Queentowntown and Wanaka have more than doubled in the same same timescale, mainly due to overseas interest in our untouch, scenic and safe environment.
Q 6.	How much does it cost to get supplies and materials into this location?
Ans.	The most reliable way of getting supplies, materials and people into Jamestown Bay is by helicopter from Milford Sound (refer to "Access"). A 500D helicopter is aprox. NZ$600 (Milford - Jamestown - Milford) and lifts 500kg which translates to aprox. $1.20 per kg. There are less expensive ways but these can involve a lot of time, present a challenge and are very reliant on nature and the weather. As Charlie never had adequate capital, he has had a constant battle over the years, getting materials onto site and has tried every method - from floating materials down the Hollyford River & Lake McKerrow to boating them around the coast from Milford Sound. Even at times, carrying materials in on his own back. A rough "rule of thumb" for any capital expenditure programme in this remote wilderness location is to double what it would cost to develop a site with road access. For example, if a 150 square metre dwelling was to cost $NZ180,000 to build (excluding land) in say Queenstown, then the same building would cost $NZ360,000 to build in Jamestown Bay ( 2002 Average Queenstown building costs @ $1200 per square meter). Any prospective purchaser should realise that this situation actually adds further to the exclusitivity of land in this very special bay.
Q 7.	What about the sandflies?
Ans.	Fiordland is famous for it's natural beauty, it's rainforest and it's sandflies. But the presence of sandflies does not stop over 4,000 tourists a day (peak of season) from visiting the equally famous Milford Sound. In certain weather conditions and certain times of the year sandflies can be challenging to anybody not used to them (mainly females) but at other times they are virtually non-existent. In general, if you have a genuine interest in fishing, hunting and nature they become very much a side issue. The lodge is fully insect and sandfly proof.
Q 8.	What about communication?
Ans.	There is no telephone service or cellphone coverage due to the mountainous nature of the Southern Alps cutting this location off from civilization. 2 way VHF radio does not work for the same reason. At present the only communication to the outside world is by HF (SSB) radio - the lodge has a licensed Codan HF radio. There is however no reason why satellite communication services could not be used.
Q 9.	Does the price include boats, generators, furnishing, chattels etc.?
Ans.	Yes, with the exception of some personal items (rifles, sideboard etc.) of Charlies, all boats, generators, furnishing, bedding and chattels are included in the price.
Q 10.	What is this unique property best suited for ?
Ans.	This property is best suited for either a) Exclusive Private Wilderness Retreat or b) for a genuine smallscale upmarket Eco-tourism venture. The location speaks for itself.