McCracken Country Club ‘Florida-style’ family golf resort at Victor Harbor delayed by construction costs
Work on a planned ‘Florida-style’ family golf resort and waterpark at a Victor Harbor country club hasn’t started yet, with the owners explaining why.
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A $22m Florida-style family golf resort, splash park and tourist accommodation plan for near Victor Harbor has been delayed for at least a year.
Originally set to be completed by the end of 2023, a $20m revamp of McCracken Country Club by owners G’Day Group has now been postponed, with the group blaming supply chain issues and price rises.
It is now working on detailed designs and has lodged a 12-month planning extension with Victor Harbor Council.
Additionally, construction challenges were identified with the amount of rock across the site.
G’Day Group’s $22m Discovery Park at Goolwa was finished and opened in March 2022. The group plans to spend about $20m on McCracken after unveiling a $40m master plan for the two sites.
McCracken Country Club, South Australia’s 12th highest-rated course, was acquired by the country’s biggest regional accommodation group in 2020 with a dream to turn it into a family-friendly resort.
The “Florida-style” golf resort is set to include a splash park, flying fox, playground, jumping pillow, mini golf, and 60 revamped two-bedroom units.
It would also feature 100 powered caravan sites and a camp kitchen.
Construction has been delayed, a spokesperson for G’Day Group confirmed.
“Our original development timeline was impacted by supply chain issues and price rises, which were experienced across the construction industry post Covid-19,” the spokesperson said.
“As a result, we made the decision to delay planning and development works.”
Detailed design works have started, with some “potential construction challenges” since been identified.
“G’day Group remains committed to investing more than $20m to deliver an exciting masterplan tourism development at McCracken,” a spokesperson said.
“During this process, some potential construction challenges have been identified, including the extent of rock across the site. This may require G’day Group to submit a variation to its application to amend the site levels to work in greater sympathy with the existing topography.
“G’Day Group is also reviewing the design of the tourist accommodation buildings accordingly.”
The highly popular golf course will remain a full 18-hole course, however there will be a minor reduction in the 1st, 10th, and 18th holes with netting protecting the 3rd and 1st holes.
Part of the McCracken Masterplan also involved a $22m investment into the new Discovery Parks – Goolwa, which was officially unveiled in March 2022.
The development included the installation of a splash park, new swimming pool, outdoor cinema, coastal natural playground, and modern new accommodation.
In 2022, Chief Executive of G’Day Group, Grant Wilckens, said the park would become a key attraction on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
“We’re thrilled with how the property has taken shape. We’ve near doubled the amount of accommodation available, and this will bring more tourists into Goolwa who will spend locally,” Mr Wilckens said.
“With a splash park and pool, nature play and an outdoor cinema, there’s a lot to keep the kids entertained so the adults can sit back and relax.
“The beach is a stone’s throw away and for those wanting to explore the region, our nearby McCracken property will soon offer experiences like minigolf.”
The McCracken Country Club development has started detailed design works, with an eye for a 2025 completion.
“With current planning approval expiring on June 20, we have lodged a 12-month planning extension with council,” a spokesperson said.
Guests at Goolwa and McCracken will have reciprocal access to the waterparks at both properties free of charge and day passes will be available for locals when there is capacity.
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