An award-winning lifestyle retreat on the Gold Coast that is part owned by Hollywood superstar and Aussie nice guy, Hugh Jackman, has hit the market.
Comprising 165.5ha, with more than 60 rooms and premium villa suites, Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat offers organic living, spa, movement and relaxation packages, with organic cuisine and wellness seminars in a “dedicated low-tech environment”.
Founded by wellness and fitness entrepreneur Tony de Leede in 2006, the retreat was recently named the Best Luxury Eco Spa Global Winner for 2021 at the World Luxury Spa Awards.
Jackman had a long connection with de Leede who told Business Spa the actor fell in love with Gwinganna when he visited in its early days and quickly bought into the business.
On the Gwinganna website Jackman writes: “The Spa Sanctuary at Gwinganna is quite simply world class”.
“One feels simultaneously immersed in nature and indulgent luxury. The staff at the sanctuary are extraordinary, their expertise and passion is unparalleled. Enjoy.”
The retreat, which has been eco-tourism certified for more than 12 years, is for sale via expression of interest, closing on Thursday, 3 March at 2pm AEST.
It is listed with the Colliers team of Karen Wales, Gus Moors, Steven King and Guy Wells.
“Gwinganna is ideally poised to capitalise on the continued growth in global wellness trends, offering an incoming owner substantial upside,” Ms Wales said.
“We expect interest to be widespread including domestic and international hotel investors, private equity funds and high net worth individuals, as well as groups active in the wellness space.”
There are an abundance of facilities on offer at the retreat with two infinity pools, a gymnasium, wellness education complex and yoga studio.
The 33-room spa sanctuary is surrounded by nature in the Gold Coast hinterland and has a further 18 treatment rooms across the property, making it the largest destination spa retreat in the Southern Hemisphere.
“The retreat is a pioneer project in health and well-being,” Mr Moors said.
“Hugh Jackman’s first visit to Gwinganna was so transformative that the actor bought a stake in it.
“That status transcends the ownership and incorporates a long list of celebrities and high net-worth individuals who regularly patronise Gwinganna.”
Gwinganna’s wellness packages are fully inclusive of organic meals, accommodation, scheduled activities and some spa treatments, accounting for two-thirds of annual revenue. Programs are run back-to-back on set dates which results in high occupancy and overall profitability.
“Investor appetite for regional properties and resorts that can cater to wellness tourism is significant in Australia,” Ms Wales said.
“This was reflected in the overwhelming response to the recent Gaia Retreat and Spa sale.”
More than $5 million has been invested in the retreat over the past five years on capital upgrades and there is still scope to expand and develop, with zoning for low density rural and residential uses, including tourism.
Other facilities include a three-bedroom owner’s residence, tennis courts, an amphitheatre, equine facility, organic vegetable gardens and multiple walking tracks.
