Top tourist spot for sale

A SEASIDE Otago tourist complex is on the market for $7 million.

Moeraki Boulders Estate, which overlooks the well-known rock formation between Oamaru and Dunedin, includes two homes, a cafe and gift shop.

After serving up coffees and afternoon teas to thousands of tourists over the past 10 years, owners Barry and Patsy Johnston want to move on.

When they bought the site, there was only a house and the business. They have since built two luxury homes – one for them and one for their son, Scotty, wife Sarah and their two children – and renovated the cafe and gift shop.

Scotty and Sarah Johnston own and run the business.

‘‘We’ve got a couple of kids so we just need a bit more time really,’’ Scotty Johnston said.

‘‘There’s still plenty to capitalise on. Heaps of room for expansion.’’

The couple have run the business for nearly nine years. Tourist numbers were strong, Johnston said.

The eight-hectare estate includes the most direct access to the beach and the boulders.

The Moeraki boulders attract about 300,000 people a year.

The Johnstons would prefer selling to a New Zealand buyer, Re/Max licensed luxury sales associate Nick Gregory said, but he expected strong overseas interest.