The Suburban Land Agency met with agents for the sale of Ginninderra Falls just a day after the Chief Minister said the site had not been on the government's radar.
Andrew Barr said on October 16 the 55-hectare site was "not on our radar in any way".
He would see how the selling process of the falls went, noting the government was in caretaker mode until after the October 19 election.
"I'm not announcing any acquisition of anything today," Mr Barr said at the time.
But selling agent George Southwell told The Canberra Times he met with representatives for the Suburban Land Agency, the ACT government department primarily responsible for land acquisition, on October 17.
"It is definitely [on the ACT government's] radar," Mr Southwell said.
A spokesperson for the Suburban Land Agency said the meeting was merely introductory as the agency had not met Mr Southwell before.
The property was listed for sale during caretaker mode, which began in September.
Mr Barr then said on October 18: "given we are in caretaker, it's not something [I] have been briefed on or that we would action at any point until a new assembly is confirmed and elected.
"We'd then seek advice," he said. "I understand there would be a degree of interest."
The site is on privately owned NSW land in the Yass Valley Council area, but can only be accessed via the territory.
Mr Barr said a "formal process" would have to be undertaken for the ACT government to acquire the land.
"That is a matter for government in the future," he said.
The falls were closed to the public in 2004 because of public liability and safety concerns. A number of Aboriginal artefacts are also at the site.
They have remained closed and have been enjoyed as part of a family property by current owners Anna and John Hyles ever since.
But following the listing of the property, calls from the public for the land to become government-owned have grown.
Mr Southwell said he had spoken to "all levels of government" in both the ACT and NSW since the listing went live.
He said he was given a warm reception by independent ACT senator David Pocock on Thursday, who is known for this environmental activism across Canberra and surrounding areas.
When contacted by The Canberra Times, Senator Pocock said he was at an event and therefore unable to comment.
Mr Southwell said he had also been in discussion with several international investors who were interested in developing a wellness retreat at the falls.
He said companies from Canada and Singapore and locally wanted to create a place akin to the luxury retreats of Saffire in Tasmania or Qualia in Queensland.
"They are interested in what an Australian wellness retreat looks like when it is 20 minutes from the centre of Canberra," Mr Southwell said.
"That's huge. Most of these retreats have to be in remote area to get the ecological benefit."
The property is zoned for resort and tourism development.
Mr Barr said the government would be open to considering working with a future owner to get the site reopened.
The Chief Minister said there would need to be some public benefit for a government purchase.
"I suspect the NSW government might be a more likely buyer," Mr Barr said.
Expressions of interest close on November 28.
