AusLeisure

Plans have recently been released for the new $10 million wilderness retreat situated within Cleland Wildlife Park in the Adelaide Hills. The new retreat will be built within the existing footprint of the Cleland Wildlife Park in the heart of the newly created Cleland National Park.

The team behind award-winning Mount Lofty House and new luxury lodge Sequoia, Mount Lofty Properties, released the plans for the wilderness retreat after securing $1 million funding through the South Australian Government’s Nature-Based Tourism Co-Investment Fund.

Owner of Mount Lofty Properties David Horbelt said he was delighted to be able to partner with the South Australian Government in bringing an immersive and transcendental wildlife experience to one of the state’s most treasured assets, Cleland Wildlife Park.

Mount Lofty Properties are wholly South Australian owned and specialise in boutique tourism and are responsible for the extensive redevelopment of Mount Lofty House, along with their new lodge Sequoia.

Horbelt advised “the intimate experience will connect guests with some of Australia’s most iconic and treasured wildlife, along with opportunity to connect with the wildlife eco-system located in the state’s most coveted nature park setting.”

The project will include up to 19 low-impact one-bedroom private villas designed to blend in with the natural surrounds in a secluded section of Cleland Wildlife Park.

A guest area, that will include a restaurant and facilities for weddings and conferences, will also be built to accommodate both guests of the retreat and visitors to Cleland Wildlife Park.

The construction, design, and fitout will utilise predominantly local South Australian products and suppliers, with an expected 85 people being employed across all suppliers on the project. A further 65 staff are expected to be employed as part of the new development in ongoing roles.

South Australian Minister for Environment and Water David Speirs said the Nature-Based Tourism Co-Investment Fund is a key part of the State Government’s Parks 2025 strategy and record funding for the environment, helping businesses deliver sustainable, quality tourism experiences.

Minister Speirs notes “we are investing record amounts to revitalise our parks, improve conservation, boost nature-based tourism and create jobs across the state.

“This project is a perfect example of how nature-based tourism can exist without impacting the natural environment visitors seek to experience.

“Adelaide has been recognised as the most liveable city in Australia and third most in the world and projects such as this will only enhance this reputation.”

Minister Speirs compared the project to the Jamala Wildlife Lodge in Canberra and the Wildlife Retreat at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo.

“Both of these ventures demonstrate a high level of success and sustainability and are tourism icons in their own right,” Minister Speirs said.

“A conservation dividend is an important component of the Nature-based Tourism Co-investment Fund and as part of the funding agreement Mount Lofty Properties will provide support for koala research through the not-for-profit organisation Koala Life, which is based at Cleland Wildlife Park, and a contribution to the Cleland Wildlife Park volunteers program.”

Horbelt added “The creation of a boutique retreat will bring a new level of international and interstate interest and visitation to the region.

“A large part of the retreat’s mandate will be to support Koala Life, the organisation based at Cleland Wildlife Park and tasked with the conservation of Australia’s koala population.

“The retreat will offer guests an unparalleled journey of discovery focused on the abundant nature in the region including the conservation efforts at Cleland to preserve the future of the koala.

“Our suites will be sustainably designed to sit light on the land in harmony with the natural landscape.”

The State Government will partner with Mount Lofty Properties providing $1 million for the project through the Nature-Based Tourism Co-Investment Fund for infrastructure to support the construction of the retreat such as access improvements and wastewater management.

Nature-Based Tourism Co-Investment Fund applicants can seek grants from $20,000 to $1 million and are expected to contribute at least half of the total financial costs of their project.

The Fund will remain open until June 2022 or until the $5 million SA Government investment is exhausted.

In recognition of its importance to tourism as an international destination, the adjoining Cleland Conservation Park is also set to be upgraded to become a national park.

As part of this transition, consultation is now open on the Cleland National Park draft management plan until 25th January 2022 through the YourSAy website

Related Articles

9th June 2021 - South Australian team to lead significant upgrade on Cleland Wildlife Park

18th August 2020 - Cleland Wildlife Park announces environmental achievement

6th December 2018 - Butterfly Aviary opens at South Australia’s Cleland Wildlife Park

27th November 2017 - South Australian Government reveals $150 million Cleland Wildlife Park upgrade

26th May 2021 - New Wellness Tourism Unearthed event to be held in the Adelaide Hills

12th October 2019 - Wildlife Retreat opens at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo

28th August 2019 - Sydney’s Taronga Zoo prepares to open new luxury lodge

8th December 2015 - Taronga Zoo looks to develop Wildlife Retreat accommodation experience

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.