Gold Coast Hinterland’s Kooralbyn Resort reopens eight years after closing down

THE owner of Kooralbyn Resort, a one-time haunt of the rich and famous, is looking to a $10-million revamp to attract a new breed of visitor.

The Ramada Resort Kooralbyn Valley has reopened after an extensive refurbishment.

THE owner of Kooralbyn Resort, a one-time haunt of the rich and famous including the late media magnate Kerry Packer, is looking to a $10-million revamp to attract a new breed of visitor.

The hotel at the resort officially reopened yesterday under Wyndham Hotel Group’s Ramada brand after being closed since 2008.

The 18-hole championship golf course was reopened on June 1, and is famous as a training ground for golf superstar Jason Day, who attended the Kooralbyn International School.

A photo of one of the refurbished units at the Ramada Resort Kooralbyn Valley.

Adam Scott is another one of the school’s old scholars, as well as Olympic gold medallist Cathy Freeman.

Peter Huang, who bought the resort from liquidators in 2014, has undertaken a massive makeover to turn it into a family-friendly health and fitness eco-resort.

The revamp targets activities such as mountain biking, skydiving and adds facilities ranging from a health and wellness centre to a venue for soccer, basketball, tennis, cricket and other sports.

Mr Huang also has plans to establish an animal farm featuring koalas and kangaroos.

Kooralbyn resort before the $10 million refurbishment. Picture: Glenn Hampson

“It will be very popular. It used to be for wealthy, famous people. We have made it family-friendly with all these activities, particularly for women with the wellness centre which includes a day spa and relaxation baths,” he said.

Mr Huang said the revamp had cost $10 million with the relaunch delayed by three months due to renovations not being finished on time.

“It needed to be completely redone. It was very time consuming and costly.”

Jason Day, pictured third from left, with fellow students while he attended Kooralbyn International School. Picture: Jack Tran

Mr Huang is hoping to entice Gold Coasters to the resort with a $380 annual membership fee which includes access to the sporting facilities, as well as mountain biking, bush walking and the indoor and outdoor gyms.

“I think 70 per cent of customers will come from the Gold Coast and Brisbane,” he said.

“That is our main target, particularly for the weekend golfer.

“The course is very challenging.”

Visitors can travel to the resort on a charter bus from Gold Coast and Brisbane airports while the resort also has a private airport for charter flights.

The 18-hole Kooralbyn golf course where Jason Day played his first game. Picture: Jack Tran

As well as the school and animal farm, Mr Huang’s plans include 300 to 500 extra hotel rooms over the next five to 10 years, as well as retirement accommodation.

Kooralbyn Resort was opened more than 30 years ago on Kooralbyn Station.

New Zealander Ray Schofield paid $12 million for the resort in 1997 but receivers were appointed in 2008.