Queenscliff’s BIG4 resort to changes hands after 51 years

What was a paddock 51 years ago turned into one of Victoria’s top caravan parks thanks to the Golightly family. Lorraine Golightly reveals why she’s sold the business.

After 51 years in business, Queenscliff’s family owned and operated BIG4 resort will be changing hands following a $37m off-market acquisition.

In the early 1970s Don and Judy Golightly had a vision to create Victoria’s top caravan park, which will soon become the much-loved BIG4 Beacon Resort and Mud Day Spa.

With the help of three generations, the family has grown the once small caravan park to a multi-award-winning holiday resort.

Current owner and operator Lorraine Golightly said after more than half a century the time had come to explore different opportunities.

BIG4 Beacon Resort Queenscliff owner Lorraine Golightly is selling after 51 years in business. Picture: Alan Barber

“We have built it from virtually nothing but a paddock over 51 years ago until now where it is at the pinnacle of its career,” she said.

“A year ago, I would have said no to selling it, but there has been a lot of opportunities to think about our next step and what life means for us going forward.”

It was revealed on Wednesday, from December 1 the resort will officially become Ingenia Holidays BIG4 Beacon Resort Queenscliff.

Ingenia Communities is a leading operator of lifestyle villages and holiday parks across Australia, which hopes to bring a fresh injection of resources and enthusiasm to the Bellarine Peninsula.

“If it hadn’t of been Ingenia, we probably wouldn’t have sold it,” she said.

“In considering a purchaser, our number one priority was to ensure their values and visions for the business align with those held by our family … which is ingrained in everything Beacon is about.”

The resort is currently the second largest private employer of the Borough of Queenscliff with a team of 40 local employees.

“They will continue with all the same team members we have on board, who have been with me for up to 25 years and are very much a part of the family now,” she said.

Lorraine Golightly with a major Australian tourism trophy awarded to BIG4 Beacon Resort Queenscliff in 2010. Picture: Glenn Ferguson

On what her next plans entail, Ms Golightly said she will be taking a short, much-needed break.

“Being in business for 51 years, there is no rests but I am too young to do nothing and I will certainly continue doing something with the industry and Ingenia as well,” she said.

Now in her final month of ownership, Ms Golightly said she is most grateful for the memories.

“We are very lucky to be in the hospitality and tourism industry where people come on holidays to have a good time,” she said.

“It’s always nice to be able to help other families create lifelong memories and that’s what we have done through Beacon.”

Originally published as Queenscliff’s BIG4 resort to changes hands after 51 years