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A world-renowned outback volcanic tourism experience south-west of Cairns has been sold by the family which founded it.
Undara Experience sits adjacent to the Undara Volcanic National Park, which is most famous for its network of lava tubes, once described by naturalist David Attenborough as the eighth natural wonder of the world.
The Collins family, the first white settlers in the area since the 1860s, established the tourist attraction in 1990.
They have now sold to the Sunsuper majority-owned The G’Day Group, whose portfolio also includes El Questro and the Rottnest Island glamping experience in Western Australia, as well as Kings Canyon in the Northern Territory.
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Bram Collins said a combination of changing border lockdowns and doubts over family succession of the business led to the decision.
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“After a record year, there’s no better partner to hand over the reins to than the G’day Group who have so many other iconic properties in their portfolio,” he said.
“I am extremely proud of what we have built over the last three decades, including the incredible experiences we have created to connect people with nature.
“I would also like to acknowledge this has only been possible through the relationships we have held with the Traditional Owners, the Ewamian Aboriginal People, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and our long association with Savannah Guides.”
The Collins family still graze cattle in the area and will have an ongoing relationship with the property.
The tourist park includes a mix of accommodation, including huts, cabins, homestead rooms and railway carriage rooms, as well as swag camping and powered and unpowered sites.
It also has open-air dining and a bar, pool, petrol pumps, communal campfires, a shop, an open-air stage, an airfield, bush walking trails, a conference room and bike tracks.
G’Dday Group CEO Grant Wilckens said the purchase is part of an investment of more than $100 million in park acquisitions and developments this financial year, following a similar investment in 2020-21.
“The Undara Experience is a fantastic addition to our portfolio – very much aligned with our desire to be synonymous with the great Aussie holiday,” he said.
“It’s an internationally significant geological treasure and a wonderful attraction along the Savannah Way.
“For generations, the Collins family have done a great job in caring for this natural wonder and sharing it sustainably with tourists – we’re very proud to be taking on the job.
“The Undara Experience is also part of our vision to expand our tourism experiences into high quality food and beverage, golf tourism and conferences."
The G’Day Group has plans to boost visitation and length of stay by investing in digital marketing and additional tourist experiences.
It also intends to improve facilities, including a shady pool and improved WiFi, and to introduce wayfinding systems.
Main points
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Undara Experience has been sold by the Collins family to The G'Day Group
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The tourism park sits adjacent to the world-renowned Undara Volcanic National Park
- Family succession concerns and border closures contributed to the decision to sell
