Adelaide-based G’day Group has acquired Habitat Noosa Everglades EcoCamp from its founders and private owners, expanding the company’s presence in Queensland’s tourism and outdoor accommodation sector as demand for nature-based travel experiences continues to grow ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.
The off-market acquisition includes the business and leasehold at Elanda Point Road in Elanda Point, located about 25 minutes from Noosa. While the purchase price was not disclosed, the deal is believed to be worth about $50 million. According to the company, the acquisition brings G’day Group’s total investment in Queensland during the past three years to about $110 million.
Founded by Grant Wilckens in 2004 with three caravan parks in Western Australia, G’day Group has grown into a national tourism and accommodation operator with more than 330 properties across its Discovery Parks and Resorts, G’day Parks, and WikiCamps businesses.
“We acquired the property off-market, working with the former owners since mid-last year through a considered, collaborative process to completion,” Wilckens told Commercial Real Estate.
“While the purchase price is commercially sensitive, we can confirm this acquisition accounts for close to half of the $110 million G’day Group has invested to date in Queensland, with the state continuing to be an important part of our future investment plans.”
Located within Great Sandy National Park, the 26-hectare eco-tourism property includes more than 300 glamping and camping sites, backpacker cabins, eco-safari operations, a beachfront bar and bistro overlooking Lake Cootharaba, and an on-site microbrewery.
The acquisition also includes Everglades Eco Safaris, the sole commercial boat tour operator in the Noosa Everglades, as well as a new 60-year lease from the Queensland government and approximately five hectares of undeveloped land for potential future expansion.
Habitat Noosa officially opened in 2018 after redevelopment work carried out by brothers Wade Batty and Paul Batty, who secured the lease in 2016.
The property expanded during the pandemic-era domestic tourism boom, adding glamping accommodations, upgraded hospitality facilities, and the microbrewery as travelers increasingly sought regional and outdoor-focused experiences.
During an appearance on My Way on Channel 9 last year, Wade Batty described the region as “an Australian marvel.”
“The Everglades, one of only two in the world. It really is a natural wilderness area,” Batty says in the episode.
“A little unknown. Cooloola National Park – 60,000 hectares, and the Noosa River running right through the middle of it up into the sand dunes of the Cooloola Sandmass.
“When I first came to Habitat Noosa, I camped down here amongst the paperbark trees and fell in love with the place there and then.
“It’s a peaceful place that brings a lot of harmony to your heart.”
The property received industry recognition during the pandemic recovery period, winning gold in the New Tourism Business category at the 2020 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards. It was also included in Tourism and Events Queensland’s Best of Queensland Experiences Program for 2026.
According to figures cited from the Caravan Industry Association of Australia and BDO’s 2026 Global Economic Contribution Report, Habitat Noosa attracts more than 65,000 visitors annually and is forecast to contribute nearly $40 million in economic activity while supporting more than 150 full-time jobs in the region.
For operators in the outdoor hospitality and glamping sectors, the transaction highlights the growing investor interest in diversified tourism assets that combine accommodations with food and beverage offerings, guided experiences, and sustainability initiatives.
Industry operators are increasingly looking to properties that can generate multiple revenue streams while appealing to a broad range of travelers, including families, backpackers, RV travelers, and premium glamping guests.
Wilckens says traveler preferences have evolved beyond traditional caravan park offerings.
“As travellers seek more value and experiences as part of their journey, the type of acquisition opportunities we seek today has evolved significantly toward more diversified tourism offerings,” says.
“The mix of accommodation at Habitat Noosa – spanning glamping tents, powered and unpowered sites, and backpacker-style cabins – captures the interest of everyone from families, backpackers to grey nomads.”
“Guests staying at Habitat Noosa can really do it all in one location, which is what sets our Discovery properties apart.”
The company said there are no immediate development plans for the property, although future expansion remains possible. G’day Group is also investing more than $50 million into upgrades and expansions across other Queensland assets, including projects at Discovery Parks properties in Hervey Bay, Yeppoon, and Townsville.
Habitat Noosa has also promoted sustainability measures, including solar-generated energy, on-site water harvesting and treatment systems, and biodegradable hospitality packaging. According to the property’s website, the business currently operates at approximately 80 percent power sustainability and 100 percent water sustainability.
The acquisition comes as Noosa prepares for increased international tourism exposure ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympics. Recent data published by Visit Noosa showed international visitor spending in Noosa reached a record $131 million, exceeding pre-pandemic levels by 35 percent.
Wilckens says the region remains resilient despite global economic uncertainty.
“With favorable year-round weather, a strong domestic tourism profile, and an accessible drive market located less than two hours from Brisbane, we see significant opportunity to further invest in and enhance the property’s existing assets,” he says.
“The property delivers an elevated blend of accommodation, hospitality, and touring experiences in one of Australia’s most iconic regional destinations, exactly the type of premium asset we seek for our Discovery Resorts portfolio.”