Thistle Island: The dream Aussie island you’ve never heard of

Thistle Island is one of South Australia’s best kept secrets. 

This remote island has escaped the development seen over recent decades in neighbouring hotspots like Kangaroo Island. 

Today, the 41-square-kilometre island remains largely untouched. 

There is nothing to see for miles around but wild scrubland, azure water and white sand beaches.

With next to zero permanent inhabitants, property listings on Thistle Island are rare. 

But an architect-designed, off-grid house is currently up for grabs. 

The three-bedroom, two-bathroom clifftop house is crammed with luxury features, from blackbutt floors to bespoke joinery. 

Vast windows and a wraparound deck offer tantalising views over the lapping waters of the Spencer Gulf. 

The home is designed to be a cosy bolthole in winter as well as summer, thanks to a cast-iron French fireplace.

$1,490,000 - $1,600,000

Lot 30 Whalers Drive, Port Lincoln SA 5606

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There is no mains electricity or plumbing on the island, so the home is run entirely off a private generator. 

Several large rainwater tanks store water, while residents can try their hand at self-sufficiency with a chicken coop, vegetable garden and smokehouse. 

For groceries, residents will need to hop in a boat or private plane and head to Port Lincoln, which is about 28 nautical miles to the north. 

A handy airstrip sits behind the property, perfect for landing light aircraft.

Outside, there is an abundance of wildlife, from dolphins and sea lions to bilbies and rock wallabies. 

Octopus and rare Paper Nautilus shells can be spotted in the jewel-coloured rockpools. 

The house is on the market with Rachel Hawkins from Harris Real Estate for $1.49 million to $1.6 million. 

“Start the tinny or the luxury cruiser, fish amongst frolicking dolphin pods, explore the hidden gems of the isle or simply sink your toes into the whitest sand of your well-protected beach – yours might be the only footprints for days,” the listing reads. 

“From Sardinia to Santorini, next to nothing in the world compares to this.”