Keppel Haven officially changes hands

Keppel Haven on Great Keppel Island officially changes hands today, with a group of local businessmen keen to breathe some life back into the island.

Great Keppel Island. Picture: Lyndie Malan

KEPPEL Haven on Great Keppel Island officially changes hands today, with a group of local businessmen keen to breathe some life back into the island.   

Sean Appleton, Grantley Jack, Matthew Bredhauer and Peter Lowe have partnered to purchase the 300 bed property on the island after months of negotiation with former owner Brian Canty.   

Keppel Haven is the only property on the island offering a restaurant and bar for visitors.   T

he property has 22 cabins, a bunkhouse for groups of up to 50, and a number of permanent tents for budget travellers.   

Co-owner, and former Yeppoon backpacker owner operator Sean Appleton said "we can't wait to get stuck into renovating the property and bring it back to its former glory.

"It's fair to say the property has been neglected over the past decade, but we intend to ensure we provide a great product with excellent customer service which is appropriately marketed. We want to target families, school and special interest groups and budget travellers - everyone is welcome."  

"We (the partners) are all locals who are passionate about Great Keppel Island and we intend to make Keppel Haven a place that locals and visitors from Australia and overseas want to visit time and time again.  

"We will work closely with the regional tourist organisation as well as our neighbours at the GKI Holiday Village and all island residents," he said.   

"Locally respected restaurant manager, Leon Wetzel (formerly Beaches Bistro and Capricorn Tavern) will be managing the property for us and we encourage locals to book early for the spring/summer period, particularly the Christmas/New Year holidays," he said.   

Capricorn Enterprise CEO Mary Carroll said: "the new owners of Keppel Haven understand the local market and the importance of good product and service, have proven business experience and I commend them for their investment.  

"This is the most exciting news for Great Keppel Island and the region since the approval of the GKI resort, but we all acknowledge that the resort will not be constructed for some time yet.  

"We will help these guys tell the world that Keppel Haven is well and truly open for business under new management," Ms Carroll said.  

A new look, new name and new marketing material will be launched in the coming weeks.   

Originally published as Keppel Haven officially changes hands