By Jane Reddy
El Questro will open for the 2021 season.
The G'day Group, owner of regional holiday parks around Australia, has extended its reach by buying iconic properties El Questro in Western Australia and Kings Canyon Resort in the Northern Territory.
The purchase will see a combined $22 million upgrade of the properties with El Questro set to reopen next month while Kings Canyon continues to welcome guests.
Chief executive Grant Wilckens says opening El Questro for the 2021 season with its three properties, the high-end Homestead, Emma Gorge and The Station, is important to the Kimberley.
Discovery Rottnest Island has unveiled its new glamping accommodation.
"The property directly employs over 130 people, and other tourism operators in the area are reliant on us bringing guests into the region," Wilckens says.
"The opportunity to buy iconic Australian tourism assets doesn't come along every day, and I was determined to snap up these properties while I had the chance. We've been very fortunate in having such a strong rebound from COVID – we're the largest regional accommodation network in Australia, and right now regional tourism is generally booming."
The purchase adds to the group's outback portfolio which includes the Broome Discovery Park's $9 million upgrade with modern cabins and a resort pool overlooking the beach.
"We will be championing road trip itineraries through the Kimberley from Broome to El Questro, and then on to the Red Centre to stay with us in Kings Canyon."
While traditional holiday parks have been the group's mainstay it has also been investing in higher end tourism including a glamping resort on Rottnest Island.
Wilckens believes there will be cross-over from guests over all properties around Australia.
"What these first timers are discovering is that a caravan or holiday park is very different now to the perception they may have had previously. Our parks are located across some of the most sought-after real estate in Australia, and have modern luxurious cabins and glamping tents, resort pools, water parks and all the bells and whistles."
See gdaygroup.com.au
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