Iconic South Australian properties McCracken Country Club and Hahndorf Resort / Adelaide Hills Convention Centre have been acquired by the G’day Group, with the company diversifying its portfolio amid a strong COVID recovery.

The G’Day Group has also purchased Goolwa Camping and Tourist Park, taking the company’s South Australian footprint to 46 properties.

The acquisitions will see the G’day Group invest an additional $60 million in SA tourism assets and meet its target of becoming a $1 billion business by 2020.

Based in Adelaide, the G’day Group is Australia’s largest regional accommodation provider with 280+ properties under the Discovery Parks and G'day Parks brands. Famous for quality holiday and caravan parks, the company last year launched its first glamping resort and restaurant on Rottnest Island, WA.

The acquisition of McCracken Country Club, Hahndorf Resort and Adelaide Hills Convention Centre signals the company’s ambition to grow its higher end offering with diversification into golf courses, events and conferences.

CEO of G’day Group, Grant Wilckens, says that while COVID has heavily impacted the company, the future has never looked better for regional travel and the Group. 

“While we were heavily impacted during the height of COVID-19, we’re experiencing a rapid rebound across the country which has given us the confidence to accelerate our growth strategy. In SA, bookings are up 1.5 times compared to this time last year,” said Grant.

“Last year we launched our first greenfields resort in Discovery – Rottnest Island and it’s been a huge success, winning a WA Tourism Award and gaining recognition from the New York Times and Time Magazine.”

“From workforce camps to family holiday parks and glamping resorts, we want The G’day Group to be synonymous with regional Australia, and the best locations and experiences our country has to offer,” said Grant.

The company plans to upgrade McCracken Country Club, enhancing the accommodation offering and golf course while making the property more family-friendly.

“We see huge potential to take McCracken to the next level,” said Grant. “These plans are still under wraps, but we hope it will become a hero property for the Fleurieu,” said Grant.

McCracken Country Club boasts 65 rooms, two restaurants, and international championship standard 18-hole course and bottle shop. The resort is a popular conference and wedding venue, with panoramic valley views, just minutes from the beach.

Hahndorf Resort is a multi-award-winning property in the Adelaide Hills, with the adjoining (and also award-winning) Adelaide Hills Convention Centre a favorite for weddings and corporate events.

The G’day Group has purchased the Hahndorf properties from Brian & Lynn Schirripa.

“Brian and Lynn have built Hahndorf to be one of the best holiday parks in Australia. His passion for quality and customer service is second to none, and it’s an honor to take over the helm,” said Grant.

Goolwa Camping and Tourist Park was acquired from John and Joy Gray, and is a warm, family-friendly property near the mouth of the River Murray. The property has been re-named “Discovery Parks – Goolwa”.

“We’ve had a portfolio gap in the Fleurieu and it’s great to be adding not one, but two new properties to one of SA’s most popular regions,” said Grant.