Oyster farm in Tassie offers boutique investment opportunity
A rare opportunity to acquire an oyster farm and restaurant has emerged on Tasmania’s east coast, with Melshell Sea Farms in Dolphin Sands offering buyers a turnkey aquaculture business in a high-growth tourism region.
The property comprises freehold land, multiple marine leases, an established oyster production business, and an on-site restaurant.
Selling agent Rob Dixon of Elders Real Estate Launceston said the property was initially launched under an expressions-of-interest campaign in November last year, generating strong inquiry before the Dolphin Sands bushfires in early December temporarily disrupted the sales process.
“We had very good inquiry on both the property and the business,” Dixon said. “While the fires weren’t directly impacting this operation, they came right up to the boundary. The owners made the decision to pause the campaign while they regrouped after what was a devastating event for the broader region.”
He confirmed the infrastructure and business operations remain fully functional, and the oysters themselves were not affected.
“The property has come through in good shape, and we’re now re-engaging with previous interested parties as well as new buyers,” he said.
Oyster farms are typically long-held assets, with few coming to market, and Dixon said this offering stands out for its scale, structure, and dual-lease capability. The operation includes both a Swan River marine lease and a deep-water lease in Great Oyster Bay, allowing oysters to be grown through every stage of production from spat to fully mature stock, with reduced supply risk.
“It’s a completely vertical operation. You’ve got the freehold land, marine leases and an established business all being sold together. That creates a very compelling, low-risk platform for continued production and growth,” said Dixon.
The business currently runs as a boutique, husband-and-wife enterprise with minimal staffing requirements, making it appealing to lifestyle buyers seeking manageable operations with reliable income. At the same time, there is scope to expand production or increase hospitality and tourism offerings.
“It’s a very hands-on, boutique business at present, but it has the profile and brand foundations to be taken to the next level if a buyer wants to grow volumes, expand distribution or elevate the tourism side of the operation.”
Established wholesale relationships with restaurants, combined with farm-gate sales and an on-site restaurant, provide diversified revenue streams and strong market positioning. The venue is well-recognised locally and benefits from the region’s seasonal tourism uplift.
The nearby township of Swansea experiences a significant population surge over summer, and the oyster farm has become part of the broader visitor trail along Tasmania’s east coast.
“It’s supported by locals, but it’s also very much part of the tourism experience. People visiting the area know it, seek it out, and come back,” said Dixon.
Buyer interest has been drawn from both within the aquaculture industry and beyond, including interstate purchasers seeking a sea-change opportunity that combines lifestyle, business ownership and coastal living.
“There’s strong appeal for industry buyers, but we’re also seeing inquiry from people looking for a turnkey lifestyle business – something that’s already operating, already profitable, and located in an incredible part of Tasmania,” said Dixon.
