Island life up for grabs TEMPLE Island in Queensland is one hour south of Mackay. Picture: Private Islands Online. Want to grab a private island paradise for just $850,000 - no you are not dreaming! While Queensland's coastline is dotted with plenty of bluewater options, islands are usually tightly held pieces of real estate. Many started out as grazing properties and have been owned by the same family for decades. But right now there couldn't be a better time to buy with numerous options on the market - and taking hold of your own slice of heaven may not be as expensive as you think. Island marketing specialist Richard Vanhoff from Coldwell Banker has a "starter pack" priced at unbelievable $850,000. It's the only available private land on the rainforest island, with the rest held by the local council. Closer to Brisbane, the just-listed Kangaroo Island off Harvey Bay is another starter option with the price slashed by an owner keen to offload after a death in the family. The island was used by the military during World War II and a long runway cut into the land has now been mostly swallowed up by undergrowth. KANGAROO Island, off Harvey Bay for sale, $1.1 million. For a little more money you could also pick up the strangely named Avoid Island ($1.25m), Victor Island ($1.95m) or Quoin Island ($2m) - all located between Mackay and Gladstone. Mr Vanhoff said his phone always ran hot each time there was a large lotto win somewhere around the country. Working exclusively in the private island market for 11 years, he also spent 17 years as a Hamilton Island resident. While Mr Vanhoff said freehold island property was rarer, he advised buyers to not shy away from the leasing opportunities available - some on holdings of up to 75 years. "A lease shouldn't be a frightening prospect, it's still your property," he said. And what I find when most of the islands do come up for renewal is that the government is happy to continue. Owning an island is hard work and it's far better for an individual to take responsibility for it than for the government to spend money on upkeep. In the mid to high range of island paradises, buyers now have a chance to secure more than 9000sqm of freehold land on Great Keppel Island at an undisclosed price, 9.4ha of freehold on Turtle Island for $5 million-plus or an 800ha three-island holding, collectively named Marble Island, for $11 million-plus. The Marble Island package includes Tynmouth and Hunter islands, an airstrip, twin-engine aircraft, barge and boats. Professionals Emu Park marketing agent Kevin Doolan has just listed the Great Keppel property held by the well-known Svendsen family for more than 60 years. GREAT Keppel Island. Carl Svendsen has lived his entire life on the island. Second-generation fisherman Carl Svendsen, 56, has lived his entire life on the island paradise, later joined by his wife Lyndie Malan. Carl's parents Paul "Punch" and Daphne originally owned a 3ha grazing lease, managing to secure the current parcel as a freehold property in 1971. Lyndie has been operating a boutique eco-tourism business featuring luxury tent accommodation while Carl has carried on his father's work, supplying fish to the mainland markets. The property is now being reluctantly sold to finalise Punch and Daphne's estate for their three sons. "This is the most amazing place in the world," Carl said. I was conceived, raised and schooled on this island ... For me growing up and living my whole life here, one of the most rewarding things has been the wildlife. Just last week a turtle I have known for 31 years appeared again. She has been swimming up to me for 31 years! It's good to see that this one has survived for such a long time in the wild. The Svendsen property is being offered as one parcel through an expressions of interest campaign. Avoid Island, $1.25m, leasehold, 63.5ha, turtle nesting sanctuary, central Queensland coast between Mackay and Rockhampton. Marble Island, $11m, leasehold, 800ha, whale watching spot, central Queensland coast between Mackay and Rockhampton. MARBLE Island for sale for $11 million. Quoin Island, $2m, 4.8ha, freehold, wallabies and koalas in natural habitat, off Gladstone. Temple Island, $850,000, 8.68ha, leasehold, rainforest, orchids and exotic plants, central Queensland coast between Mackay and Rockhampton. Turtle Island, $5m plus, 9.4ha, freehold, private jetty, helipad, central Queensland coast between Mackay and Rockhampton. TURTLE Island for sale for $5 million. Victor Island, $1.95m, 3.13ha, leasehold, four-bedroom cyclone-rated home with bed and breakfast licence, off Mackay. VICTOR Island for sale $1.95 million. Picture; supplied. Great Keppel Island, expressions of interest, 9000sqm, freehold, house plus original caretaker's cottage, two safari-type luxury tents and studio, off Yeppoon. THE Great Keppel Island property owned by the Svendsen family.