Regional boom continues as G’day Group acquires Western Kangaroo Island Caravan Park

Media release

G’day Group has reaffirmed its confidence in Australia’s regional tourism sector with its acquisition of Western Kangaroo Island Caravan Park.

Located at the entry to the acclaimed Flinders Chase National Park on Kangaroo Island, the Park provides G’day Group significant strategic opportunities as the only accommodation of its type in the Island’s west and is the largest holiday park on KI.

The 17-hectare property, which features 71 tourist sites, 13 cabins and a 48-person bunkhouse, will be renamed Discovery Parks – Kangaroo Island and joins G’day Group’s network of more than 87 owned and operated holiday parks around Australia.

G’day Group Chief Investment Officer Amanda Baldwin said the acquisition was a key strategic addition to the company’s national footprint and offered significant development upside.

“Kangaroo Island is one of Australia’s most loved tourism destinations and a location we have been eyeing for some time as a valuable addition to our portfolio,” Ms Baldwin said.

“There’s a significant amount of tourism development planned for the Island, including the new Flinders Chase Visitor Centre and The Cliffs golf course. With access better than ever thanks to the new SeaLink ferry contract and more direct Qantas flight coming this summer, we’re expecting continued growth in visitation to the Island.

“This acquisition offers us a significant strategic advantage to capitalise on this growth as the only accommodation of its type in Western Kangaroo Island.”

G’day Group will invest an initial $1 million into the property before commencing a master planning process to determine future development options. The park already underwent a major renovation and expansion in 2022, featuring a new reception, deluxe cabins, bunkhouse, camp kitchens and fuel bay.

“We’re eager to explore the Park’s development potential to further broaden its appeal as a high-quality affordable accommodation option, while ensuring we maintain the connection to nature that makes Kangaroo Island such a sought-after tourist destination,” Amanda said.

“This will enable us to attract more visitors to the Island and increase length of stay, which will in turn deliver great benefits for other local tourism operators and the wider community.”

About G’day Group

Founded by Grant Wilckens in 2004 with three caravan parks in WA, G’day Group is now Australia’s leader in regional accommodation experiences with more than 300 properties across the country.

G’day Group is home to Discovery, a network of more than 85 owned and operated holiday parks and resorts, with properties in iconic regional destinations, including Kings Canyon, Rottnest Island and the world famous El Questro. The company also owns G’day Parks, a network of 220+ independently owned licensed parks and more than 200,000 G’day Rewards members, and Australia’s number one regional travel community, Wikicamps.

G’day Group reached $1 billion status in 2020 and has ambitions to double in size in the next five years. The company is majority owned by Australian Retirement Trust and founder and CEO Grant Wilckens is the Chair of the Caravan Industry Association of Australia and a Board Director of the South Australian Tourism Commission.