Mistere Kangaroo Island plans $10 million luxury eco-tourism venture, including ‘world-class’ caravans
A SINGAPORE-based casino executive has lodged plans for a luxury eco-tourism venture at Kangaroo Island — complete with villas, vintage caravans, farm animals and a function area.
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A SINGAPORE-based casino executive has lodged plans for a luxury eco-tourism venture at Kangaroo Island, featuring villas, vintage caravans, farm animals and a function area.
Mistere Kangaroo Island director Andrew MacDonald — based at the landmark Marina Bay Sands casino — plans to convert farm-stay accommodation at Nepean Bay into an up-market tourism venture delivering “the exotic and the unexpected”.
The accommodation, to cost more than $10 million, would be the latest in a string of eco-tourism developments under Mistere’s Regal Retreats brand, which also features sites in Kingscliff and Urliup, in New South Wales.
Mr MacDonald, who works for Las Vegas Sands Global Gaming Operations as senior vice president and chief casino officer, began his career as a dealer at the Wrest Point Hotel and Casino in Tasmania — Australia’s first casino.
He chose to invest in Kangaroo Island because it had “the most amazing flora and fauna” and was “truly a zoo without fences”.
“It presents virtually all aspects of Australia in an easily accessible environment,” Mr MacDonald said.
The company has imported luxury American Airstream caravans for the accommodation at 900 Min-Oil Rd, which span each decade from the 1940s to present day.
Mr MacDonald labelled it a “world-class collection” and the biggest in Australia.
There would also be glamping tents and eco-capsules — described as self-sustainable micro-homes — at the site, about 25km from Kingscote.
Guests would be exposed to a range of farm animals including cows, horses, donkeys, goats and sheep at the accommodation, which would cost between $150 and $800 per night.
Australian-owned company Regal Retreats was set up “with environmentally-conscious principles in mind and a desire to link people with the natural world”.
“By creating a real connection with nature, it is a core belief that a sustainable future is created — as only when someone appreciates something and understands it, do they truly want to protect it for everyone’s future,” Mr MacDonald said.
“The serenity of seclusion is available in each location close to the comforts of civilisation.”
The company has already renovated an existing homestead at the Kangaroo Island property, which is open for short-term holiday lets.
The site would be overhauled in stages, featuring 12 self-contained villas, 14 eco-tents, two eco-capsules and seven caravans with outdoor decks.
A maintenance shed would be upgraded to include a deck and function space — to attract weddings and conventions — and the development would include tennis courts and stables.
The plans are being assessed by the State Planning Commission.
Mistere Kangaroo Island bought the 100ha site in June last year for $1.5 million.
Kangaroo Island Mayor Peter Clements said he had spoken to Mr MacDonald about his plans for Nepean Bay, which he labelled “a great idea”.
He expected that his connections were likely to mean the accommodation would draw tourists from Singapore and China.
Kangaroo Island lacked high-end accommodation, he said, and the Nepean Bay development was likely to attract people looking for “a little bit more luxury, and something with a bit of an edge to it”.
“It certainly fits the gap that we have in the market currently,” Mr Clements said.
“We’re not looking at mass tourism on Kangaroo Island — we’re looking at people who are sensitive to the environment.
The State Planning Commission was seeking more details on the proposal, before deciding whether or not to approve it.
Mr MacDonald has previously worked as deputy chief executive of Adelaide Casino.
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