This tiny Aussie town (population:two) is up for sale

Ever thought of buying a whole town? If you’re having a nosy in Western Australia, you might just be in luck.

On a remote stretch of land in the north-west of the enormous state, the town of Cossack has been lying deserted for the better part of 70 years.

The minuscule town sits on the banks of the Harding River and beautiful beaches are just a short walk away, but with only two residents, its substantial offerings have been invisible to travellers and neighbours alike for years.

Now, the WA government, in conjunction with real estate agent, LJ Hooker, are looking to sell, taking on on Registrations of Interest (ROI) in the hopes of revamping the derelict township.

The first time the town has ever been put on the market, Cossack is home to 12 heritage-listed buildings and as a bonus, nearby Jarman Island is thrown in.

No price has been publically listed. LJ Hooker has been contacted for comment.

The government is hoping to attract interest from low-impact tourism development, to help draw social and economic benefits to the area - such as high-quality eco-tourism accommodation, camping or cafes.

LJ Hooker’s Vincent Siciliano told The Real Estate Conversation: “Cossack was a pivotal part of WA’s pearling industry, with a history dating back to the 19th century.”

“Over time, nearby townships including Port Samson and the employment hub of Karratha assumed the local population base.

“But Cossack sits in an amazing pocket of the Pilbara. The townsite is bordered by the azure water of the Harding River. This campaign presents a developer or entity with a rare chance to deliver a vision and ongoing commitment for a low-impact activation of a piece of WA’s history.”

Cossack’s history

Cossack was a large base for the pearling industry, with over 57 pearling vessels employing more than 1,000 people there in 1895.

However, residents began to move to larger towns and Cossack was abandoned 70 years ago.

These days only the town’s caretaker Rhys Osterlund lives there with his partner Shannon Ervin, who runs the cafe for tourists and visitors.

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