G'Day Group buys four Northern Australia caravan parks for $75 million

G’Day Group buys four Northern Australia caravan parks for $75 million

October 4, 2021

With caravanning booming amid pandemic restrictions, the Adelaide-based G'Day Group has been revealed to have purchased three holiday parks in the Northern Territory and a further park in Western Australia over the last 12 months for a reported sum of $75 million.

While tourism to the Northern Territory is still impacted by Coronavirus restrictions, the G'Day Group purchases are a sign of confidence in the sector, with the move welcomed by Tourism Central Australia.

As reported by the ABC, the G'Day Group's purchases include Kings Canyon Resort, Glen Helen Resort and the MacDonnell Range Holiday Park in Alice Springs for a total of $60 million, as well as the El Questro resort just over the border in Western Australia for $15 million.

G'Day Group Chief Executive Grant Wilckens said the firm was happy with the acquisitions, advising “the reality was that the portfolio that we bought from Delaware North - which is our El Questro, Kings Canyon and a property in Sydney - was probably underinvested.”

However, Wilckens said he did not expect tourism in the Northern Territory to be back at full strength anytime soon, adding "I'd be quite concerned that the Territory is going to be probably constrained and closed for much longer than what we'd like.

"I'd love to see it opened around Christmas, but it looks like to me that you'll be closed for for much longer, which is not great … for our businesses, obviously — it's probably good for health and good for communities."

Tourism Central Australia Chief Executive Danial Rochford said investment in the region was long overdue, noteing "I think that bodes well for the future for the region - to have such a large player in our industry invest in Central Australia is great news.”

Rochford said that the caravan industry was booming because of the pandemic, going on to say "Jayco, the major caravan manufacturer in Australia, would make normally about 40,000 caravans in a year.

"In the last year they've made 70,000, so that gives you the understanding of how big this market is going."

Images: The MacDonnell Range Holiday Park in Alice Springs. Top image courtesy of Swimplex.

31st August 2021 - Caravanners and campers looking forward to hitting the road

30th April 2021 - Polin Waterparks offers Innovative Solutions for Holiday Parks

22nd February 2021 - G’day Group purchases El Questro and Kings Canyon Resort from Delaware North

22nd December 2020 - Regional Destination Management Plans released for Northern Territory

19th November 2020 - BelgraviaPRO to take on management of Coonamble Riverside Caravan Park

21st September 2020 - New management upgrades Lake Moogerah Caravan Park

25th June 2020 - Interest in domestic tourism results in increased caravan sales

5th May 2020 - Holiday parks provide safe travel options as lockdown eases

8th April 2020 - Caravan Industry promotes socially responsible initiative this Easter

25th March 2020 - Travellers look to stay on in Australia’s caravan parks

24th December 2019 - Caravan and camping visitor expenditure reaches $7.9 billion, exceeds 13 million trips

9th April 2019 - Delaware North to operate Lane Cove River Tourist Park for NSW National Parks

14th September 2018 - NRMA continues tourism portfolio expansion with six new holiday parks

2nd March 2018 - BIG4 Deniliquin recognised as Best Caravan Park in Australia

1st January 2018 - Caravan and camping sector positive about international visitor growth

10th December 2017 - New Federal caravan body chairman looks to unification to drive industry growth

21st April 2017 - Tourism NT supporting local operators to drive visitation in the Territory

26th December 2016 - BIG4 Holiday Parks gain tourism accolades across Australia

26th October 2016 - Caravan Industry Association highlights why holidays must be accessible for all

27th October 2015 - BIG4 Holiday Parks’ Best of the Best announced at Gala Awards

6th August 2014 - CIAA research explains Australia’s love of caravanning and camping

29th January 2014 - Funding backs reopening of MacDonnell Regional Council swimming pools

28th September 2012 - Staff object to Tourism Northern Territory relocation

5th August 2009 - Delaware North Acquires Australian Resorts

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