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Regional tourism company G’day Group has doubled down on one of Tasmania’s prime visitor destinations with the acquisition of Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village.
The property, which is being positioned under the group’s Discovery Resorts brand, is located adjacent to its existing tourist park, Discovery Parks – Cradle Mountain.
G’day Group, owner of Australia’s largest network of holiday parks, says Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village will complement the Discovery Parks property, which recently underwent a $20 million refurbishment including the addition of new family-friendly cabins and premium cabins.
The company has not disclosed the purchase price, but G’day Group founder and CEO Grant Wilckens says the deal allows the group to capitalise on tourism demand in the region.
“Cradle Mountain is one of the most spectacular and iconic natural destinations in Australia and it continues to be a drawcard destination for both domestic and international travellers,” says Wilckens.
“With recent major investment in Discovery Parks – Cradle Mountain and now the acquisition of the Wilderness Village, we aim to position ourselves as the accommodation provider of choice in the region.”
Founded by Wilckens in 2004 with just three caravan parks in Western Australia, G’day Group is predominantly a tourist park operator with more than 300 locations across Australia operating under the G’day Parks and Discovery Parks brands. The Cradle Mountain deal boosts the group's premium resorts portfolio to eight properties nationally.
“We now offer options to cater to every budget and type of traveller – from overnight campsites for hikers and caravaners, to premium accommodation and dining for luxury travellers – enabling us to showcase this incredible destination to a diverse cohort of visitors,” says Wilckens of the Cradle Mountain acquisition.
“Importantly, we recognise the appeal of this destination is in its natural beauty and we are committed to operating with care and working in conjunction with Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service to enhance this appeal.”
Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village is a premium tourism offering that G’day Group says will be gradually integrated with Discovery Parks – Cradle Mountain so as to minimise disruptions to the guest experience.
The property is already listed on the G’day Group website under its new name, Discovery Resorts – Cradle Mountain Village, and joins the group’s existing premium hospitality portfolio which also includes El Questro, Lake Argyle and Rottnest Island in Western Australia, Wilpena Pound Resort and McCracken Resort in South Australia, Kings Canyon in the Northern Territory and Undara in Queensland.
The G’day Group, which is majority owned by Australian Retirement Trust, has a property portfolio of more than $1.5 billion and last year revealed it was on track to hit its target of $2 billion by 2026.
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