HTL Property has witnessed a vast increase in the sale of regional accommodation assets, especially in regions experiencing tourism booms – with investors actively snapping up properties spanning the aweinspiring Flinders Ranges of South Australia, the ever-popular Shepparton region and picturesque Latrobe Valley in Victoria; and Queensland’s highly sought-after Sunshine Coast and Hervey Bay.
"Driven by factors like domestic tourism growth and the potential for higher yields when compared to metropolitan areas, the demand for quality accommodation assets in regional areas has resulted in enquiries and offers emanating from all types of buyer profile” advised HTL Property National Accommodation Director, Andrew Jackson.
“Including purchasers who have traditionally not looked outside of major CBD locations” Jackson added.
One such example is Leigh Creek Outback Resort, where HTL Property acted as exclusive agency for the sale. The family-operated resort, at one point in time the film set for the movie ‘Gold’ featuring Zac Efron in 2020, has now officially changed hands – successfully sold to a private investor via an on-market campaign steered by HTL Property Director, Paul Nyholt.
Located 538km north of Adelaide in South Australia, Leigh Creek Outback Resort was converted from mining accommodation. The multi-dimensional property comprises 104 rooms, a restaurant, tavern, bottle shop, cinema, basketball stadium, conference facilities and a service station. Surrounding the resort is a long list of sites and attractions, one being the Flinders Ranges, the largest mountain ranges in South Australia and which stretch over 430km.
“Leigh Creek Outback Resort represents an exciting opportunity for transformation and growth. With the potential to update and refurbish rooms and cabins, along with the introduction of a robust food and beverage operation, the business is poised to enhance the guest experience and in doing so, maximise the resort’s full potential” commented HTL Property Director, Paul Nyholt.
“Additionally, there exists significant upside in leveraging amenities such as the basketball court and cinema, in order to drive additional revenue streams. This is just the beginning of a new chapter for the resort, one that promises both growth and a revitalised future” added Nyholt.
“We are proud to have introduced the successful investor to the Leigh Creek Outback Resort, ensuring the continuation of its rich legacy. Enjoying deep historical significance, Leigh Creek has long been a cornerstone of the Outback, and we are thrilled that this new chapter will preserve and build upon the unique character and story of the region” concluded Nyholt.
The demonstrable increase in transactional activity in regional Australia is further complemented by the recent sale of a premier accommodation business in Victoria’s highly regarded Shepparton region food bowl. HTL Property’s Victorian Director Scott Callow, recently negotiated the sale of the business, being three properties operating in-one-line under ‘Wyndhamere Motel’.
Comprising 46 keys in a central CBD location and operated by 1834 Hotels, amenities include a fully-equipped restaurant, 3-bedroom manager's residence, conference room, swimming pool and guest laundry.
“The popularity of this region as a stopover for commercial drivers, interstate travellers and tourists alike was strongly evident in the 140+ enquiries from private operators from around Australia and New Zealand we generated throughout the formal campaign period” commented Callow.
HTL Property separately acted as the exclusive agency regarding the successful sale of the three assets inone-line portfolio sold on behalf of Lifestyle Villages. The campaign, led by National Accommodation Director of HTL Property, Andrew Jackson, consisted of Cooroy Village on the Sunshine Coast, Sugar Coast Village in Harvey Bay; and Traralgon Lifestyle Village in the Latrobe Valley – with a combined sale price just under $31m and all settling in February 2025.
Both the Cooroy and Hervey Bay assets are established Over 50’s Lifestyle Villages, together comprising 148 well-presented homes and complemented by high quality facilities; while Traralgon is a strong performing modern mixed-use park, catering predominantly to permanent and long-term residents offering 137 mixed-use sites plus premium facilities.
HTL Property is currently marketing two other properties in the Gippsland region, Riverside Village in Swan Reach and the Lucknow Land Lease Community Development Site just outside of Bairnsdale. Proximately located to Gippsland Lakes, the assets offer an exciting opportunity to enter into a thriving coastal region with significant development upside.
According to Tourism Research Australia, regional areas account for nearly 46% of the country’s total tourism spending, amounting to $107bn.
“The surge in domestic tourism in Australia has driven investor appetite and strategy insofar as acquiring income-producing regional accommodation-driven assets with operational and property upside. Regional locations are increasingly becoming top tourist destinations and popular retiree lifestyle hubs to further cement their appeal; so the ever-growing investor interest and robust demand for these assets is not at all surprising to HTL” concluded Jackson.
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