A heritage-listed igloo-style warehouse that forms part of the former RAAF Stores depot, a complex of 1940s military storage buildings in regional New South Wales, has hit the market with a $3.5 million to $4 million price guide.

Established during World War II as a major logistics and supply hub for the Royal Australian Air Force, 26 High Street, Dubbo is a 6850sqm warehouse that belongs to the former RAAF No. 7 Stores Depot.

The depot played a significant role in the war effort, serving as a storage and distribution centre for military supplies across the region, and its distinctive parabolic-arch “igloo” buildings constructed on the site are a hallmark of wartime military architecture.

Raine & Horne Commercial Dubbo director Joe Burgun said the listing was a genuinely rare offering.

“The former RAAF Stores Depot igloos are iconic wartime structures, and the opportunity to acquire one as a standalone allotment does not come along often,” he said.

“There are very few comparable buildings in regional NSW, and even fewer that are available for private purchase.”

The property is being sold by Maas Group Properties, which has been undertaking the progressive development and subdivision of the wider former RAAF Stores Depot estate.

The large-span timber-framed parabolic arch structure with corrugated metal cladding and concrete floor has a ridge height of about 15m and is currently utilised by the vendor for industrial storage but is being offered with vacant possession.

An example of an ‘Igloo’ in Woomera, SA, circa 1950. Picture: National Archives of Australia

Steeped in history

The former RAAF Stores Depot comprised of 30 buildings, including five huge Igloo stores buildings, three Bellman hangars, a Rabaul hangar, a Sidney Williams Hut and a large semi-underground PBX bunker, as well as a road system, railway spur lines and remnant state forest.

According to the NSW State Heritage Inventory, the complex of substantial military structures in their original configuration and landscaping is the only extant, relatively intact example of its kind in Australia.

“It is unusual and probably unique in Australia to find five different types of 1940s prefabricated buildings remaining on the one site,” it states.

“The Igloo stores, still in pristine condition, were adapted from an American design but using Australian hardwood and corrugated iron, and are five of the only six examples of this building type left standing in Australia.”

The RAAF used the Igloos up until 1992. Picture: realcommercial.com.au

The inventory also notes the igloo buildings were “an unusual, functional and attractive form of industrial structure that is evocative of war time design and construction practices.”

“The buildings were carefully oriented to minimise shadowing in order to resemble hills from an aerial perspective,” it stated.

“On completion the profiles of the openings and gables were also modified by the use of galvanised iron sheeting cut to resemble tree shapes.”

At the end of World War II the Dubbo Stores Depot was the largest stores depot of its kind in Australia in both size and stock.

NSW’s west served an important role during aviation’s golden era. Picture: National Archives of Australia

Keen buyer interest

Mr Burgun said the property has attracted strong enquiry from a diverse range of buyers, including local and regional investors, developers, and owner-occupiers looking at adaptive re-use opportunities.

“Interest has been both local and from outside the region, which reflects the unique nature of the offering,” he said.

The building’s large-format industrial structure, scale, clear-span layout and heritage character have attracted interest from a diverse range of buyers.

“That includes investors, owner-occupiers looking at storage, warehousing, or other large-format uses, and parties exploring adaptive re-use concepts that take advantage of the igloo’s distinctive architecture.”

The site is zoned R1 General Residential under the Dubbo Regional Local Environmental Plan 2022, which reflects the broader residential master-planning of the former RAAF estate.

“However, the building has a long-established history of industrial storage and warehousing use,” Mr Burgun said.

“By way of precedent, the neighbouring igloo on High Street, which carries the same R1 zoning, was granted development approval for conversion to self-storage units and is now occupied by National Storage.”

Future plans for the wider site part of a $74.4 million proposal

Maas Group has lodged a $74.4 million State Significant Development application for a master-planned residential community on a 9.29ha site, within the wider former RAAF Stores Depot estate.

Ahead of the application’s assessment, submissions from the public are now being answered.

Maas Group is seeking to develop this landholding next to the Igloos, dubbed Cypress Park. Picture: Maas Group

The proposal includes 211 manufactured home sites delivered in two, three and four-bedroom configurations, in addition to a community centre featuring a function room, gym, library, games room, outdoor terraces and meeting room.

The development also proposes an outdoor pool, BBQ area, children’s playground, pickleball court, tennis court, bowling green, 54 visitor parking spaces, and several landscaped park areas for community use.

“The sale of 26 High Street (Igloo 3) is a separate offering and is not part of the SSD application site,” Mr Burgun said.

Expressions of Interest to buy the site close 30 September.

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From mountaintop pubs to an entire customs house, August proved a delightful deviation from the mean when it came to the most-viewed listings on realcommercial.com.au.

Lately, industrial and retail properties have dominated the rankings in terms of most-viewed and most-enquired, but last month’s top-10 was peppered with some iconic properties. Here’s a selection of the top-10.

Cosy Blue Mountains weekend escape

While 1 September means winter is officially over, the Spicers Sangoma Retreat at 70 Grandview Lane, Bowen Mountain would be perfect for a blanket, a good book and a red wine in front of the roaring fire. It was realcommercial.com.au’s most-viewed listing in August.

Offered by HTL Property Sydney, the Spicers Retreat sits on a sprawling 38,500 sqm of land – nearly four hectares – and features eight adults-only villas.

Boasting expansive views across the Nepean River Valley, the property is being offered by Salter Brothers, who acquired the Spicers portfolio in 2023.

Over the past 20 years, Spicers has built a reputation for boutique luxury, and was founded in 2002 by Jo Turner, wife of entrepreneur and CEO and founder of Flight Centre, Graham ‘Skroo’ Turner, and mother of Matt Turner, founder of 99 Bikes.

A true trophy asset in the heart of Townsville

When Townsville Customs House at 16 Wickham Street hit the market mid last month, it didn’t take long for property enthusiasts to catch on – it sits at realcommercial.com.au’s second-most viewed listing in August.

Constructed between 1899 and 1902, the property stands as one of North Queensland’s most iconic buildings, and presents a truly unique opportunity, offered by CBRE Brisbane.

You can’t miss this iconic asset as you head into the Strand. Picture: CBRE

The building looms large on the main strip of Townsville, the Strand – you can’t miss it – and has served many purposes in its 120-plus year life.

Aside from its eponymous job as a customs house storing property titles, the property served as a hospital during World War II, and famed US general Douglas MacArthur had an office there. It was constructed out of materials sourced from across the entire British Empire.

“More than simply a building, it is a landmark, a statement property and a truly irreplaceable piece of North Queensland history,” said Neville Smith, CBRE’s senior director.

A touch of royalty in the Riverina

The Royal Hotel at 45 Tumut Street, Adelong, is something of an institution in the region about an hour’s drive from Wagga Wagga.

Offered as a freehold going concern for $695,000 by McDonald Hospitality Brokers in Albury, the local pub was realcommercial.com.au’s sixth-most viewed property in August.

The Royal Hotel in Adelong, near Wagga Wagga, has hit the market. Picture: realcommercial.com.au

You can’t miss the pub when arriving into town, sitting at a T-intersection of the Snowy Mountains Highway that takes you to either Tumut or Wagga Wagga.

The hotel has undertaken a huge renovation, and publicans will hope to capture some of the economic windfall coming from Snowy Hydro 2.0.

The kingdom is yours with this mountaintop pub

Salter Brothers is offloading another Blue Mountains property, this time the iconic Hydro Majestic Hotel at 52-88 Great Western Highway, Medlow Bath. It was realcommercial.com.au’s tenth-most viewed property in August.

The Hydro Majestic, which sounds more like a Pokemon than a pub, opened in 1904 as Australia’s first hydropathic health retreat, and features 84 guest rooms, including nine luxury suites.

The Hydro Majestic Hotel in the Blue Mountains is for sale. Picture: realcommercial.com.au

Over its time it has welcomed esteemed guests such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Australia’s first Prime Minister, Sir Edmund Barton, according to its selling agents at HTL Property.

“It is one of those rare properties that transcends traditional hotel investment; it is a genuine Australian institution,” said HTL Property Director, Nic Simarro.

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There’s usually a moment that tends to hook people on the idea of buying property abroad. You’re sitting on a balcony somewhere you don’t live, coffee in hand, watching a street come to life at a slower pace than you’re used to. Maybe it’s coastal Spain, maybe it’s a condo in London, perhaps it’s somewhere you hadn’t even heard of a year ago.

And at some point, the thought bubbles up: I could live here.

That’s where things start. But buying a home abroad isn’t the same as visiting one. A place that feels effortless for a week can become complicated when you try to own a piece of it.

Homes come with systems—legal, financial, and cultural. And when you’re operating inside a system that isn’t your own, small misunderstandings have a way of turning into expensive ones.

Here’s what experts say buyers should understand before purchasing a home overseas.

Don’t buy the vacation version of a place

The biggest trap in buying property abroad is confusing a short stay with real life.

A home isn’t just the view from the terrace or how close it is to the water. It’s what the neighborhood feels like in February. It’s how loud it gets at night, how far the nearest hospital is, how easy it is to get basic services handled when you’re not a local.

Timothy Scott, Editor at Luxury Latin America, puts it this way:

“Swooping in on vacation and making a quick purchase is very risky because you don’t have a handle on real market prices, the pros and cons of different neighborhoods, or what pitfalls are common there. If you rent for a year before buying and spend plenty of time learning the market characteristics as well as what others before you have experienced, you have a much better chance of avoiding any downside and paying a fair market rate for what you’re purchasing.” 

If you’re serious about buying a home abroad, spend time living there first. Not as a visitor, but as someone running errands, dealing with utilities, and experiencing what daily life actually looks like. That’s the version of the place you’ll own.

A house is only as clean as its paperwork

A home can look perfect and still carry problems you can’t see—especially in another country.

Title issues, unpaid taxes, shared building debts, missing permits—these aren’t rare problems. And when you’re buying property abroad, they don’t stay attached to the previous owner. They follow the property.

Mikkel Thorup, Founder and CEO of Expat Money®, puts it plainly:

“When it comes to buying real estate abroad, the first thing I’d tell you is this: do not fall in love with or become overly attached to any property before a trusted local lawyer confirms the property is actually clean and ready for sale. They should also check for ownership disputes, liens, unpaid taxes, or other hidden problems that could become your problem after closing.” 

This is where a good local lawyer earns their keep. Not someone recommended by the seller, not someone cutting corners—someone who works for you and understands the local system well enough to catch what you can’t.

Every country handles homes differently

Buying a home abroad means stepping into a process that may not resemble what you’re used to.

In some places, verbal agreements carry weight. In others, everything hinges on notaries and government registries. Even something as basic as who holds funds during a transaction can differ.

Spain is a common destination for buyers, and it offers a good example of how specific the process can get.

Heidi Wagoner, a Move to Spain Consultant for Wagoners Abroad and Almuñécar Info explains:

“If you’re buying property in Spain, always hire an independent Spanish Lawyer to check the legal status of the property, debts, and licenses before signing anything, as you will inherit the debts. It’s important to obtain an NIE number (foreign identification number) early, as you’ll need it for the purchase process and utilities and the lawyer can help with this. Finally, take time to research the area year-round, especially in coastal towns where summer and winter lifestyles can feel very different.” 

That last part matters for homes in particular. A house isn’t just a structure—it’s tied to a community, and that community can change dramatically depending on the time of year.

The real cost of buying a home abroad

The listing price of a home abroad is rarely the full story.

There are always additional costs—some obvious, some less so. Taxes, legal fees, notary costs, registration fees, and ongoing community expenses can add up quickly.

Louize Christaens, Marketing Director at Globexs, breaks it down:

“When purchasing property in a foreign country, you must look beyond the initial purchase price and factor in the localized ‘acquisition overhead,’ which can add an unexpected 12% to 13% to your costs. Additionally, because international buyer dynamics change rapidly, it is vital to secure a local, independent legal partner who can navigate regional administrative hurdles like acquiring tax IDs and vetting properties for hidden community debts.”

If you’re buying an apartment or a home in a shared development, those “hidden community debts” matter. You’re not just buying walls—you’re buying into a system of shared responsibility.

Know what you’re solving for before you buy a property abroad

Most bad decisions around buying property abroad don’t come from picking the wrong house. They come from not being clear on why you’re buying in the first place.

Nasos Fousias, Head of Astons in Greece, frames it this way:

“Before buying property abroad, clients should first define the purpose of the purchase: investment, lifestyle, relocation, or long-term optionality. An investment-led decision requires market data, rental demand, local regulation, and proper legal due diligence. A lifestyle or relocation purchase should start with understanding how the area works beyond the holiday season. For international buyers, it is also important to consider whether property ownership can support wider objectives, like capital diversification or alternative residency planning. The strongest outcomes usually come when the property decision is assessed not in isolation, but alongside legal, tax, mobility, and family considerations.”

If you’re chasing yield, you need data, demand, and a clear understanding of local rules. If you’re chasing a lifestyle, you need to know what a Tuesday feels like in that place when nothing special is happening.

Clear intent makes the rest of the process simpler. It tells you what matters, what doesn’t, and where you’re willing to compromise.

Don’t confuse a home with an investment thesis

It’s easy to start treating a home abroad like a line item instead of a place you’ll actually live. Numbers take over—projected appreciation, rental yield, and resale timelines. It feels practical, but it leans on the shaky assumption that you understand a foreign market well enough to predict how it behaves.

Most of the time, you don’t.

Andrew Motiwalla, Founder and CEO of The Good Life Abroad, puts it in plain terms:

“Foreign property markets are notoriously difficult to predict, and you won’t have the local knowledge edge. The buyers who never regret it are the ones who bought because they genuinely wanted to live there — not because they were chasing appreciation. If the rental income and resale value disappeared tomorrow, would you still want it? If yes, buy. If not, just rent a home.”

That question cuts through a lot of the noise. If you’d still want to live there without the promise of appreciation or rental income, you’re probably making the decision for the right reasons.

Understand residency and visa rules before buying

Owning a home abroad doesn’t automatically mean you can live there full-time.

Residency rules, visa limits, and administrative requirements all shape what your life will actually look like once you own the property.

Tracey Roberts, Senior Advisor at U.K.ABROAD explains how often this gets missed:

“One of the most overlooked parts of buying property abroad is ensuring your residency, visa, and passport situation is properly organized before making a major financial commitment. Many expats only realize later that visa renewals, residency permits, or even an expired passport can create unexpected complications when purchasing property, opening bank accounts, or finalizing legal paperwork overseas. Buying property abroad can be an exciting long-term investment, but preparation and understanding the local legal system are essential to avoiding costly delays and unnecessary stress.”

Before you buy, make sure you understand how often you can stay, what’s required to extend that stay, and whether ownership gives you any additional rights. In many cases, it doesn’t.

A home includes everything around it

A house isn’t just what’s inside the walls. It’s access to healthcare, infrastructure, and basic services—things that are easy to take for granted until they’re different.

David Tompkins of TFG Global Insurance Solutions Ltd. explains:

“Buying a home abroad can be an exciting lifestyle investment, but it is important to understand local property laws, tax implications, residency rules, and access to healthcare before making the move. Many expats are surprised to learn that local healthcare systems may be limited or unavailable to foreigners, making comprehensive international health insurance essential when living overseas.”

If you’re planning to spend real time in your home abroad, you need to know how the surrounding systems work. Not just when everything is going smoothly, but when something goes wrong.

A practical way to approach buying property abroad

There’s a steady way to go about this—one that favors patience over impulse.

• Live in the area before buying, even if only for a few months.
• Learn how neighborhoods function outside peak seasons.
• Hire an independent local lawyer to review every detail.
• Confirm the home’s legal status, debts, and permits.
• Budget beyond the purchase price for all associated costs.
• Secure required identification numbers and documentation.
• Understand residency, visa limits, and tax exposure.
• Plan for healthcare, insurance, and long-term logistics.

Buying a home abroad isn’t just a transaction—it’s an entry point into a different way of living.

The difference between visiting and owning

A good trip is easy. Everything is temporary, flexible, and designed to be enjoyed.

Owning a home abroad is different. It ties you to local rules, systems, and the realities of daily life. But if you take the time to understand those systems before buying, you give yourself a much better chance of ending up somewhere you can truly live — not just vacation.