Boutique Eco-Retreat for Sale by HTL Property

Specialist national firm HTL Property has been exclusively engaged to sell Wanderers Retreat, a boutique eco-retreat located in Port Stephens; one of the most popular coastal tourist destinations on the mid-coast of NSW.

Wanderers Retreat is nestled in a lush rainforest setting comprising a mix of 13 eco-friendly cabins and treehouses; and includes a family friendly Beach Spa House. Together with a large manager’s residence, free-form pool and adorning a substantial 1.2 ha freehold landholding, the property provides ultimate privacy and tranquillity for guests.

The freehold going concern is a strong performing business, boasting a profit margin in excess of 70%, and a strong +80% occupancy rate despite travel restrictions and recent weather events. Currently only offering accommodation, the retreat provides a number of value-add opportunities to the incoming purchaser.

A DA approval for an additional 8 cabins could see a substantial increase in the revenue, particularly noting the resurgent demand for tourism experiences and minimal additional infrastructure works to support the feasibilities. Wanderers Retreat also offers a prime opportunity to introduce a food and beverage operation and/or liquor license, as well as to reposition the asset as a luxury offering.

Port Stephens is conveniently located within a 2.5 hour drive from Sydney and an hour from Newcastle, making it a top tourist destination and an ideal weekend getaway. The peninsula is abundant with pristine beaches, native parklands and wildlife sanctuaries. The great year-round climate attracts tourists for swimming, beach quad biking, fishing, sailing, sand boarding, bush walking and much more.

Wanderers Retreat is positioned within 500 metres of the famous One Mile Beach and is situated within close proximity to Stockton Beach, NSW’s longest beach. It is separately located within close proximity to essential shops and services, whilst also benefitting from its quiet cul-de-sac location and dense surrounding vegetation. This idyllic setting delivers in unique wildlife experiences, direct to guest cabins.

HTL Property’s Directors James Carrick and Nic Simarro will drive the sales campaign, supported by National Director Andrew Jackson, on behalf of the retiring owners. Since their acquisition in 2017, the owners have made ongoing improvements to the property and have run the operation.

The sellers, Barry and Vivienne have reluctantly decided the timing was right to put the asset on the market.

“We’ve had a great time working together to build this business in this beautiful little piece of paradise” said Barry.

“But we think the timing is now right; as we’ve  got kids spread from Sydney, Brisbane and up to Rockhampton, with two grandkids and two more arriving shortly” Barry said.

“I’m turning 65 later this year, and we’d like to be spending more time with the family” Barry concluded.

“Once the dust settles we will probably still base ourselves here in Port Stephens. You can’t spend your life following the kids and they love visiting here anyway”. “It’s got everything you could ask for, the climate, the beaches and waterways, the restaurants, and only 20 minutes from the airport” added Vivienne.

In the year ending June 2020, Port Stephens recorded 1.71 million visitors, who spent approximately 2.73 million nights in the area. Although total visitor numbers are still below pre-Covid years, they have recovered to above the 5 year average. As of late 2021, Tourism Research Australia forecasted that by the end of 2023, in less than two years, domestic tourism will have returned to average pre-pandemic levels and even go on to surpass them in 2024.

Mr Carrick said the pristine natural environment, offered a great deal of space which would appeal to health retreat operators, or an eco-tourist style operation.

“There are many possibilities that can be explored, and the site itself is fantastic and very well suited for such an operation” advised HTL Property Director, James Carrick.

“As experienced recently with a range of experiential accommodation sales, we anticipate strong buyer interest from owner operators and domestic syndicates given the property’s coastal location and proximity to major population centres” added Carrick.

“Strategically positioned within 500m of One Mile Beach, Wanderers Retreat caters for a range of clientele including couples retreats, family events and additionally corporate events given the surrounding team-bonding activities on the doorstep of the property” concluded HTL Property Director, Nic Simarro.

Wanderers Retreat is being sold via an Expression of Interest campaign, closing 24 August 2022.

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