NT tourism gems join G'day Group

Media Release

The new owners of iconic NT tourism properties Kings Canyon Resort and Glen Helen have just acquired the MacDonnell Range Holiday Park in Alice Springs and Shady Lane Tourist Park in Katherine, significantly increasing their Territory tourism holding.

The G’day Group is the largest regional tourism accommodation provider in Australia, with more than 300 properties located in all states and territories.

The company is focussed on strengthening its offering through the Red Centre and northern Australia. It also owns El Questro in WA, along with properties in Kununurra and Broome, which together create a strong self-drive offering in Northern Australia.

Chief Executive of the G’day Group, Grant Wilckens, said that he was thrilled to have such fantastic Territory properties joining the Group.

“For years we have been trying to grow our offering in the NT. Home to some of the best caravanning and camping country in Australia, and some of the best outdoor experiences to be found in the world, it’s a very special part of the country,” said Grant.

“It’s a huge honour to be the new owner of the MacDonnell Range Holiday Park – it’s the NT’s top awarded park, and one of the best parks in the whole of Australia. Brendan Heenan, with great support from his family, has done an incredible job with this park and is to be congratulated for building it into such an outstanding property.”

“The Katherine property is another great new feather in our cap. Katherine is becoming a more important NT town and with lots of tourism, government and defence activity. By bringing this property into the network we will be aiming to get more people to stay, and to stay longer, as they make their way between Alice Springs and Darwin and vice-versa,” said Grant.

The MacDonnell Range Holiday Park sits on more than 11ha and is home to 389 sites, 53 tourist cabins, 16 bunk rooms, 300 tourist sites and 20 long stay sites. It has a heated swimming pool, waterslide, gym, BMX track, basketball court and jumping pillow.

The MacDonnell Range Holiday Park was purchased from Brendan Heenan AM who says he is handing over the reins to capable new owners.

“Building the Alice Spring park up to be the best in the Territory and one of the best in Australia is something I’m very proud of. It’s taken a lot of work over the past 40 years, and I’m confident I’ve found the right buyer to take over my legacy and grow the property to the next level,” said Brendan.

“It’s been a wonderful industry to be a part of and I have met and worked with many amazing people, especially through BIG4 Holiday Parks of Australia, the Caravan Industry Association of Australia (CIAA) and the tourism industry in the Northern Territory. I will continue to be a passionate supporter of tourism in Central Australia and the NT,” he said.

Shady Lane Tourist Park in Katherine sits on 4.7ha and features 128 unpowered sites, 16 cabins and 99 powered sites.

It was purchased from Phil and Marianne Bates who say they are keen to see the park flourish with investment from the Group.

“Katherine is one of the best places to truly experience the Territory, it’s home to such incredible Territory attractions like Nitmiluk, the hot springs, Edith Falls and Cutta Cutta. I’d love to see the G’day Group grow this property and really market the destination, so people realise just how much there is to see here and why they need to stay longer,” said Phil.

The MacDonnell Range Holiday Park is due to settle in December. Shady Lane Tourist Park in Katherine will settle in early November.

For more information contact Jessica Playford
jplayford@discoveryparks.com.au on 0478 346 504

About G'day Group

Founded by Grant Wilckens in 2004 with three properties in WA, the G’Day Group is now Australia’s largest regional accommodation provider with around 300 properties across Australia.

G’day reached $1bn company status in 2020, and is home to three brands; Discovery Parks (owned and managed parks), G’day Parks (independently owned licensed parks) and G’day Rewards (membership program).

G’day is majority owned by Sunsuper. Founder and CEO Grant Wilckens is also the Chair of the Caravan Industry Association of Australia and Board Director of the South Australian Tourism Commission.