DEVELOPER WANTED!!
The Sanctuary is a unique 16 kilometre square natural habitat located in Marrakai, which sits between Darwin and the entrance to Kakadu National Park. The site has been fully master planned into six development stages, consisting of seven commercial sites, the two largest have unobstructed Arnhem Highway road frontage, complemented with 247 generous-sized residential blocks.
Presently, it's around a 50 minute drive from Darwin, though this will be significantly improved later this year with the construction of the Stuart and Arnhem Highway duplication. The works will create new dual lanes in each direction for 12 kilometres along the Arnhem Highway, improve access, reduce congestion, and open up this road corridor to support the area's growing population and industry.
This unique greenfield site is well positioned to become the Territory's next lifestyle destination. Surrounded by protected areas of conservation, which will never be built out. Stage 1B has already been fully engineered for civil and electrical works, plans are available on request.
This provides a rare opportunity to turn-off large rural lifestyle blocks that are always in high demand, particularly affordable sites that are especially scarce in the current market.
For a quiet, discreet Top End location, the Marrakai area is punching above its weight economically. A number of burgeoning major projects, which include mining, agribusiness, infrastructure and tourism are poised for exponential growth. These projects will all require a new workforce and amenities to accommodate.
A LOCATION POISED FOR GROWTH
The region surrounding The Sanctuary is ripe with opportunity with a number of emerging projects coming to fruition. These include:
• $1.78 billion anticipated operating expenditure over 17 years at the Mt Bundy Gold Project with 400 new jobs created,
• $411 million (combined Federal and NT Government spend) to rejuvenate Kakadu National Park and transform nearby Jabiru from a mining town into a world-class tourism hub
• $1.45 billion Adelaide River Off-Stream Water Storage (AROWS), construction expected to start in 2028.
• Expansion of Australia's largest barramundi farm, with the potential to create over 200 permanent jobs
• $747million upgrades to four Territory Defence training facilities including nearby Mount Bundy
• The region's horticulture industry reached around $200million in 2024, building on its year-on-year growth. This is set to rise through the Government's enabling infrastructure and private investor attraction such as ASX-listed Duxton Farms recent acquisition of the neighbouring 26,000ha Wildman Agriculture Precinct
COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITIES
The location is ideally suited to mixed use commercial and tourism offerings that may include but not limited to:
• Fuel station
• Mini supermarket (IGA style)
• Caravan and cabin park
• Tavern
• Artificial lagoon with amenities such as cafés, bird hides as well as walking, biking and segway trails
• Boat storage and wash down area
• Retail offerings: tackle/bait shop, crafts, produce, souvenirs, pop-up misc
• Wellness centre/retreat
• Helipad
• Market stalls such as produce, culture, art
• Childcare centre
• Local tour operators
• Amphitheatre
RESIDENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES
The 247 residential blocks are a minimum size of two hectares up to 162 hectares, transforming the site into a tranquil rural subdivision nestled in natural bushland.
Market research intelligence indicated demand and interest from the following groups:
• Young, middle income families with children – affordable large blocks, school bus access to local schools, nearby employment opportunities such as emerging agribusiness and tourism
• Retirees escaping from established rural areas that have become built out – peace and seclusion
• Tour operators who work in the region – access to tourism hotspots including birding and iconic fishing locations
• Those seeking a 'tree-change' to their lifestyle – surrounded by a protected conservation habitat
• Current residents of the region and their adult children – access to onsite services and amenities, short drive to Humpty Doo
• Darwin and Palmerston residents – weekend retreat, hobby farmers (horticulture and pastoral), nature lovers and keen fishers
• Small business owners – who have the space to work from home such as contractors, tradesmen etc
WHERE PEOPLE AND NATURE MEET
The Sanctuary has a number of established attractions on its doorstep that entices both tourists and locals alike for short breaks out of the city. These include the lure of its surrounding barramundi country (further incentivised by the Million Dollar Fish competition) Jumping Crocodile cruises, Windows on the Wetland, Purple Mango Café, Fogg Dam, Bamurru Plains, Mary River House Boats, Pudakul Aboriginal Tours, Point Stuart Lodge, Bark Hut Inn and attractions within Kakadu National Park.
