Chinese property investor acquires Wirrina Cove resort, with plans to lure Chinese golfers to the region

Luring Chinese golfers to the Fleurieu Peninsula and hosting art and music festivals at its expansive grounds form part of the latest plans to revive the Wirrina Cove resort.

• Rediscover SA tourism and hospitality
• Multi-million dollar facelift for Wirrina Cove resort
• Wirrina marina boaties frustrated by delays in class action

LURING Chinese golfers to the Fleurieu Peninsula and hosting art and music festivals at its expansive grounds form part of the latest plans to revive the Wirrina Cove resort.

Chinese property developer and investor Ben Tsui has acquired Wirrina Resort, near Yankalilla, from New Zealand operator VR Group, with plans to rebrand it to New Terry Hotel & Golf Resort.

Map showing Wirrina Resort, near Yankalilla on the Fleurieu Peninsula.

Mr Tsui’s son Andie Xu will oversee the day-to-day operations, comprising the 85-room hotel, 18-hole golf course, convention centre and 75ha of development land.

He said the first group of Chinese golfers arrived at the resort on the weekend, with plans to partner with other golf courses including nearby Links Lady Bay, to attract more in the future.

Chinese property developer Ben Tsui (right) has acquired the Wirrina Cove resort. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

“In China so many people want to play golf because they want to get into the higher level of society — to play golf it is very expensive in China,” he said.

“My father, his club and his friends already travel to Japan and Thailand to play golf. He saw this hotel last year — he loves to play golf and he loves this hotel and golf course.”

Wirrina Cove Resort will be rebranded the New Terry Hotel & Golf Resort.

Mr Xu said his company was planning to partner with Chinese travel group Nanhu Travel, to attract Chinese visitors to the resort.

He said investment in upgrades to the resort facilities were planned in the coming months, including the re-introduction of 24 gaming machines, while there were longer term plans to develop a tourism precinct based on art and music.

“First of all the hotel itself — we will do some renovations, put in some new facilities — new gym, gaming machines, new beds, we will put in Chinese cuisine and a new kids playground,” Mr Xu said.

“We have plans to insert an art theme into the hotel. And for the outside area of the hotel, we will make a few art buildings, which will show arts from different countries.”

The Wirrina Cove Resort golf course.

Mr Xu has returned to Australia to manage the day-to-day operations at Wirrina Cove, following more than 10 years in Sydney, where the family developed residential projects and built up a portfolio of industrial and commercial property.

After completing an MBA in 2015, he returned to Guangzhou where he was involved with the family’s property development business.

He said the family was interested in expanding its property portfolio in South Australia following its maiden acquisition at Wirrina Cove.

Wirrina Cove on the Fleurieu Peninsula.

“My father’s also looking at some other properties and a chance to invest,” he said.

“This city has lots of potential — it’s like Sydney 15 years ago. Lots of people are coming to Adelaide — not only tourists, but also migrants and students.”

Wirrina has had a chequered history since its heyday in the 1980s, falling into receivership in 2012 before VR Group’s acquisition in 2013. This is now the sixth time it has changed hands since first falling into receivership in 1992.