Whole town for sale: Tone River village on the market in WA

A whole WA village suspended in time is for sale — and with a price that could be lower than $1 million, prospective buyers are queuing for the chance to nominate themselves as mayor.

On the wall in the office at the former Tone River wilderness retreat, about four hours’ south of Perth in the state’s south-west, is a calendar dated 2008.

It’s the only clue that no one has been at the once-popular campsite for about nine years, says agent Colin Wallbank. Otherwise, it’s as though the well-maintained premises are still occupied.

Mr Wallbank, of LJ Hooker Pemberton, is selling the Lake Muir property, 42 kilometres south-east of Manjimup, on behalf of the WA government in an expressions-of-interest campaign.

The Tone River settlement was originally established around a timber mill, one of several in the area supporting the forestry industry.

Construction of the village started in 1949, according to State Heritage Office records. The site was a camp destination for schools, community and sporting groups until it was closed in January 2004. 

After the closure, the site was leased to a private company and, apart from maintenance, it has since remained untouched.

“If you are looking to purchase your very own small town for tourism purposes then this project is likely to tick a few boxes,” Mr Wallbank says in the LJ Hooker Pemberton Domain listing. 

If a whole town isn’t your style, the property could become the ultimate wilderness getaway for you and a hundred or so friends — even better if they bring their power tools.

There are 20 self-contained cottages in varying states of repair. Each can accommodate groups of six, eight or 10 people and three have been modified for access by people with disabilities.

Other facilities include the office, a​ town hall, a workshop, tennis and volleyball courts and an undercover barbecue area. A vintage log sign points out a swimming hole and local walking trails.

There’s even an old phone box although the area has reliable mobile phone coverage. 

Before it closed, Tone River hosted thousands of guests a year. These days, only regular visitors are the local wildlife.

Local wildlife are the neighbours at the former Tone River wilderness cottages. Photo: Supplied

Two of the cottages are privately owned and not part of the sale. But because the property is zoned for tourism enterprise under the Manjimup Shire Town Planning Scheme, only a caretaker can live at the site permanently. 

Officially, the site is in Lake Muir, about 390 kilometres south of Perth. It’s also known as Strachan or even as part of Manjimup. 

Mr Wallbank says the lack of certainty around the location might even give a new owner the chance to rename the property.

The population of Manjimup, an estimated 5500 in 2012, is expected to double by 2032, according to the Shire of Manjimup. 

The Tone River listing in late December 2016 sparked immediate interest, with Mr Wallbank receiving 50 inquiries by the new year and many groups inspecting the site.

Church groups, not-for-profit organisations and rehabilitation services were among the interested parties, with most inquiry coming from Perth.

“We’re getting very close to a few people being ready to make an offer,” Mr Wallbank says.

Even though it has stood empty for so many years the property is tidy, he says, and services such as electricity are in good order. However, the cottages are in varying states of repair.

“You’re definitely going to need your tool box here,” he says.

The cottages are on 40 hectares of C-class reserve and surrounded by state forest. According to the Department of Sport and Recreation, the campsite was popular for activities with an emphasis on the wilderness experience.