Hugh Jackman’s Gwinganna resort sale to cash in on wellness tide
The Hollywood star is part of the consortium offering the country’s most famous lifestyle retreat for sale in a move likely to draw celebrities and billionaires.
Film star Hugh Jackman is set to become the latest big name to ride the tide of wellness as his partially-owned Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat in the Gold Coast hinterland goes on the block.
The actor fell in love with the property - opened in 2006 by Fitness First entrepreneur Tony de Leede - and became an investor in the 200-hectare retreat well before it built a global reputation as a leader in wellness for locals and celebrities.
“The Spa Sanctuary at Gwinganna is quite simply world-class,” Jackman says on the Gwinganna website.
“One feels simultaneously immersed in nature and indulgent luxury. The staff at the sanctuary is extraordinary, their expertise and passion is unparalleled. Enjoy.”
Mr de Leede surprised the fitness industry when he shelled out close to $30m buying and developing the site over three years.
But he was breaking even in his third year and has been profitable since that time.
He had planned on spending more time at the property, but has since relaunched Club W, a world-first wellness concept that combines wellness lounges, a collective and co-working.
But he and his partners kept Gwinganna as a smaller and more intimate property to preserve the privacy of well-heeled guests, which has made it one of the country’s most sought-after wellness retreats.
The opening of the Queensland borders has prompted agents Colliers to take the property to market, with a campaign that will close in early March next year.
Interest is expected to come from around the world as celebrities have taken to lifestyle investing.
Actor Leonardo DiCaprio bought a parcel of wild land off the coast of Belize and developed an eco-resort called Blackadore Caye, where guests stay in the latest eco-friendly and self-sustained bungalows and villas.
But local billionaires, who have been on the acquisition trail for lifestyle retreats and even island properties, are expected to feature among the prospective buyers.
Just this week, multi-billionaire miner Andrew Forrest added to his growing portfolio of luxury lodges in North Queensland and NSW, making his first acquisition in WA with the purchase of the Cape Lodge Hotel near Margaret River.
His acquisition of the 22-room hotel on 40 acres, including an 8-acre private vineyard producing sauvignon blanc and shiraz, adds to his recent buys on the east coast, including the Gaia Retreat near Byron Bay which was purchased from Olivia Newton John for $30m and North Queensland’s Lizard Island, which cost him $42m last month.
Australia’s richest person Gina Rinehart is also working towards the purchase of one Queensland’s tarnished island resorts with plans to make it “world class“.
Her Hancock Prospecting has struck an agreement to acquire the Great Keppel Island development project from Tower Holdings at a price believed to be around $50m.
The island holds approvals for a 250-room beach front hotel, 300 luxury apartments, 285 luxury villas, 9000sq m of retail shops and a 250-berth marina.
The big switch towards regional tourism and a desire to get away from city life prompted by the pandemic has transformed what was once a niche market into one of the most lucrative segments of the tourism market.
The glamorous clientele are staying longer in retreats where they can keep a low-profile and are also willing to fork out premiums in order to stay for extended periods.
The Gwinganna property is nestled in Tallebudgera Valley, just 15 minutes from the beach, and is billed as a place where A-list celebrities can indulge in an organic lunch.
About 10 per cent of the guests hail from overseas, another 60 per cent travel from the southern states.
The resort also has built up a strong local following in recent times.
Jackman remains a frequent visitor to the retreat and dons a name tag as do other guests who come in search of an escape.
The retreat’s 64 spots are usually at capacity, but aside from the optional fitness and health classes, the only times they have to come together are for shared meals.
Cigarettes are banned and alcohol is also generally out, although a glass of organic wine a night is allowed.
The unique atmosphere is also reinforced by the communal dining and following a nutritional regime with no gluten or dairy.
The property is the country‘s largest health and wellness retreat and was recently named the Best Luxury Eco Spa Global Winner for 2021 at the World Luxury Spa Awards.
Facilities on the 165.5-hectare site include more than 60 rooms and premium villa suites, two infinity pools, a gymnasium, wellness education complex and yoga studio.
It has been eco-tourism certified for over 12 years, is exclusively listed with the Colliers team of Karen Wales, Gus Moors, Steven King and Guy Wells.
They will formally launch the sale in January, but are currently seeking registrations of interest.
“Gwinganna is ideally poised to capitalise on the continued growth in global wellness trends, offering an incoming owner substantial upside,” Ms Wales said.
“We expect interest to be widespread including domestic and international hotel investors, private equity funds and high net worth individuals, as well as groups active in the wellness space.”
Jackman‘s conversion to the retreat is also expected to help draw interest.
“That status transcends the ownership and incorporates a long list of celebrities and high net-worth individuals who regularly patronise Gwinganna,” Mr Moors said.
There are also other income streams. The retreat‘s 33-room spa sanctuary is surrounded by nature in the Gold Coast hinterland and has a further 18 treatment rooms throughout the property.
Gwinganna’s wellness packages are fully inclusive of organic meals, accommodation, scheduled activities and some spa treatments, accounting for two-thirds of annual revenue.
There is also an opportunity for medium-term development for an incoming owner as the site is zoned for low density rural and residential uses.
Other facilities include a three-bedroom owner’s residence, tennis courts, an amphitheatre, equine facility, organic vegetable gardens and walking tracks.
Originally published as Hugh Jackman’s Gwinganna resort sale to cash in on wellness tide
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