A German man who won a private island in Canada through a Haribo prize draw in 2005 has put the property up for sale, saying the costs of keeping it have become too much to bear.
Matthias Ross, now 44 and from Bavaria in southern Germany, won the island on Black Lake in the Shelburne region of Nova Scotia, along with a two-bedroom wooden house, a flight to the island, a canoe, fishing equipment, and gummy bears. The prize covered about 16 acres.
Why He Is Selling
Ross has listed the island for £184,000. He told German newspaper Bild that travel expenses and maintenance have proved costly, and he also pays €2,500 (approximately £2,000) in property tax every year.
He said the prices of flights from Germany to Canada, followed by car and boat transportation, on top of maintenance costs, were too much to justify keeping it any longer. His parents used to maintain the house and island for years, but travelling there has become harder as they have grown older.
What the Island Offers
The official listing describes the property as a private island paradise, only 30 minutes from the amenities of Shelburne. It says a quick boat ride from shore leads to an island retreat where buyers can enjoy at least three seasons each year of lakeside living, with adjacent marshland inviting extensive nature explorations.
The property includes a meticulously maintained two-bedroom, one-bathroom log cabin, along with two small boats, one shed, one generator, and a small dock. Recreation opportunities include swimming, canoeing, fishing, and hiking.
Living Conditions and Future Plans
Electricity is provided by solar panels, and water is pumped from the lake, but the only way in and out of the island is by boat. Ross has enjoyed many holidays on the island over the past two decades but reportedly now wants to explore other places the world has to offer, hoping to sell it once and for all.
