Lee Bay at Dancing Star Eco Reserve. Picture: Sothebys

The Dancing Star Reserve, is a 172-hectare property which was established 15 years ago by California-based, not-for-profit Dancing Star Foundation.

In that time it was transformed into a private, protected ecological refuge for native flora and fauna.

The land itself includes mountain terrain, beaches and some of the oldest native forest in New Zealand.

THINGS BUYERS WILL PAY MORE FOR

One of the basic buildings at the Dancing Star Reserve, 402 Horseshoe Bay Rd, Stewart Island. Picture: Sothebys.Source:Supplied

It is now home to more than 126 native species and has one of the highest concentrations of kiwi in New Zealand.

The owners installed fences to exclude predators and state-of-the-art electronic and video surveillance.

Marketing agent Matt Finnigan of Sotheby’s International Realty said the group was moving on to other projects now.

He said the property was one of the largest pieces of privately-owned land on Stewart Island.

Interest so far had come from a variety of potential buyers, from a business keen to use it as an “environmental’’ offset to an individual conservationist.

Regenerating native forest and ancient Rimu at Dancing Star Reserve. Picture: SothebysSource:Supplied

He said there was also the opportunity for an operator to investigate turning it into a tourism resort.

There are only a few buildings on the site, which Mr Finnigan said was only basic shed-type accommodation.

These include a 230-square-metre historic barn and an environmental education centre with a shower block and kitchen.

Dancing Star Reserve, 402 Horseshoe Bay Rd, Stewart Island. Picture: Sothebys.Source:Supplied

A fulltime conservation manager currently lives on site to maintain the property and its inhabitants.

“It would appeal to someone who would like to appreciate and preserve what the land was several hundred years ago,’’ Mr Finnigan said.

The Xcluder predator fence on Dancing Star Reserve. Picture: SothebysSource:Supplied