scorecard
  1. Home
  2. life
  3. news
  4. You can buy an entire Wild West replica town nestled in a remote New Zealand valley for $7.5 million

You can buy an entire Wild West replica town nestled in a remote New Zealand valley for $7.5 million

Melissa Wiley   

You can buy an entire Wild West replica town nestled in a remote New Zealand valley for $7.5 million
Mellonsfollly Ranch is an American West-themed town selling for $7.5 million in New Zealand.The Way Studios
  • A 900-acre ranch in a remote New Zealand Valley is home to a replica Wyoming frontier town.
  • Mellonsfolly Ranch is currently listed for sale at $7.5 million.
  • The whimsical town comes with a double-door saloon and robbable bank.

A replica Wyoming frontier town in a remote New Zealand Valley is selling for $7.5 million American dollars.

A replica Wyoming frontier town in a remote New Zealand Valley is selling for $7.5 million American dollars.
The Way Studios

Known as Mellonsfolly Ranch, it's situated on 900 acres in the Ruatiti Valley of New Zealand's North Island, about seven hours south of Auckland by car.

Known as Mellonsfolly Ranch, it
Google Maps

The ranch was built in 2006 and consists of a main residence, two rental houses, and 10 buildings inspired by the American West of the 1860s.

The ranch was built in 2006 and consists of a main residence, two rental houses, and 10 buildings inspired by the American West of the 1860s.
The Way Studios

"Building a Western town in such an isolated place was nothing but 'utter folly,' hence the name," the original owner told True West Magazine in 2007.

"Building a Western town in such an isolated place was nothing but
The Way Studios

The 10 period buildings can be rented out for weddings, conferences, and small-group getaways.

The 10 period buildings can be rented out for weddings, conferences, and small-group getaways.
The Way Studios

The town includes a fully licensed saloon with swinging wood doors ...

The town includes a fully licensed saloon with swinging wood doors ...
The Way Studios

... and a courthouse that doubles as a movie theater.

... and a courthouse that doubles as a movie theater.
The Way Studios

There is even a bank where guests can stage hold-ups.

There is even a bank where guests can stage hold-ups.
The Way Studios

Inside, wood-burning stoves and wood paneling nod to a bygone era.

Inside, wood-burning stoves and wood paneling nod to a bygone era.
The Way Studios

Rocking chairs outside storefronts hearken back to the days of watching visitors ride in on horseback ...

Rocking chairs outside storefronts hearken back to the days of watching visitors ride in on horseback ...
The Way Studios

... and Victorian decor fills the hotel parlor.

... and Victorian decor fills the hotel parlor.
The Way Studios

Each hotel room is themed and named after a historical figure from the Old West.

Each hotel room is themed and named after a historical figure from the Old West.
The Way Studios

Due to the pandemic, the ranch is no longer accepting bookings. But in the past, it has offered buyouts starting at $7,900 per night for up to 22 guests.

Due to the pandemic, the ranch is no longer accepting bookings. But in the past, it has offered buyouts starting at $7,900 per night for up to 22 guests.
The Way Studios

The 'Rent the Ranch' package includes complimentary gun-slinging, canon firing, horseback rides, and access to cowboy and cowgirl getups.

The
The Way Studios

Outside of the town, guests can explore the property's network of trails on foot or horseback.

Outside of the town, guests can explore the property
The Way Studios

Mellonsfolly is "deliberately remote" and has no cell or radio service, according to the ranch's reservations page.

Mellonsfolly is "deliberately remote" and has no cell or radio service, according to the ranch
The Way Studios

At its current price tag, well-heeled foreign buyers could make a bid for Mellonsfolly. According to New Zealand law, anyone who invests $6.4 million in the country over the course of three years is eligible for an Investor 1 Resident Visa.

At its current price tag, well-heeled foreign buyers could make a bid for Mellonsfolly. According to New Zealand law, anyone who invests $6.4 million in the country over the course of three years is eligible for an Investor 1 Resident Visa.
The Way Studios

Source: New Zealand Sotheby's International Realty, New Zealand Immigration

Editor's note: This is an updated version of a story that originally published on Business Insider on June 30, 2020.

Read more: How to move to New Zealand

READ MORE ARTICLES ON


Popular Right Now




Advertisement