- The listing includes three properties
- Comes as eco-tourism demand grows
- April also saw several resort listings
Over one hundred kilometres northward of the Cairns civilisation, you will find fifteen bayans nestled amidst the veritable lushness and verdant splendour of the Daintree Rainforest.
These treehouses, enveloped in the wonderment of nature, are one-third of an offering coming to market, fit for a little weekend mulling.
Queensland resort market gains momentum
Last month saw the listing of private islands, also in Far North Queensland. The assets all came to market amidst a rise in interest for hospitality assets.
The month of April kicked off with the listing of Pumpkin Island, the 6.07 hectare property is nestled amongst the Keppel group of islands in the Great Barrier Reef and offers seven villas.
Pumpkin Island also has a unique history, with the island previously part of a famous Australian beer campaign.
While not quite a resort, Spadely Station was an eye-catching listing from Far North Queensland, with the property also located within a short boat ride from the Keppel group of islands.
The property is unique, offering both pristine white sandy beaches, and a cattle station.
One of the agents managing the Spadely Station sale, Greg Roberts of Knight Frank, said in a release regarding the station: “We have seen the attraction of private islands continuing beyond COVID with the sales or contracted islands of Dunk, Hook, Long Island Resorts, Lindeman and others confirming the desire for security and privacy for those with vision and means.”
Much further afield, a Fijian resort also came to market last month, practically a private island as it occupies 29.9 hectares of the 30 hectare island.
The sale of Yasawa Island Resort & Spa is managed by Tom Gibson and Michael Simpson, with Simpson noting that: “The strength of the luxury resort sector globally has proved to be both resilient and highly sought-after.”
The properties
As part of a strategy shift by the Morris family’s Northern Escape Collection, the Daintree Ecolodge, Red Mill House Bed & Breakfast, and Daintree Village Hotel are being brought to market, sold individually or in one line through CBRE Hotels’ Wayne Bunz and Hayley Manvell.
“While Daintree Ecolodge has delivered countless memorable experiences to guests of the Collection, the strategy for the group has shifted towards super-elevated, luxury experiences such as those delivered at Orpheus Island Lodge, Mount Mulligan Lodge and an ultra-luxury experience that the group is set to launch toward the end of 2023 on Pelorus Island,” said Northern Escape Collection founder Chris Morris.
Morris said Northern Escape Collection and its parent company, Morris Group, would continue to reinvest in its luxury tourism portfolio, which includes superyacht business Morris Nautical, which features M.Y. Beluga and M.Y. Flying Fish operating out of Port Douglas, and M.Y. Northern Escape operating out of the Mediterranean.
Daintree Ecolodge
The property has been bestowed numerous awards, including several from the World Travel Awards: Oceania’s Leading Green Hotel 2022; World’s Leading Eco Resort & Spa 2012; World’s Leading Eco-Lodge 2009; Australasia’s Leading Green Hotel 2009, and World’s Leading Eco-Lodge 2007.
Situated on a 6.57-hectare freehold site, the property offers 15 freestanding villas; also included in the sale is a 5.39 hectare vacant parcel of land adjoining the Ecolodge with approvals in place for the development of an additional 10 units.
The property includes a range of facilities such as the Julaymba Restaurant & Bar, a wellness spa, pool, and sun deck.
Red Mill House Bed & Breakfast
Currently utilised as staff accommodation for the Daintree Ecolodge, the Red Mill House B&B is a 3.5 star asset comprising two double storey, 20th-century timber Queenslander buildings, providing eight accommodation rooms, outdoor and indoor living areas, a kitchen, and swimming pool, all situated on a 6,070 square metre freehold land parcel.
Daintree Village Hotel and General Store
Only operating for alcohol sales and post office services at present, the property comprises a full commercial licence, bar, restaurant and bottle shop, with the general store providing basic grocery sales and the store acting as the village’s Australia Post outlet and courier collection point.
The asset sits on a 2,023 square metre freehold landholding, and includes three-bedroom owner’s residence, three walk-in cold rooms, a walk-in freezer and further vacant land.
The assets will be sold via an Expressions of Interest campaign closing mid-June 2023 (unless sold prior).
