Idyllic wilderness lodge in pristine Queenstown location
With a total land area of 4350 square metres in two titles opposite the lake reserve, the property comprises a multi-purpose 13 room YHA backpacker hostel plus original 6-bedroom heritage residence with adjoining bar and restaurant facilities. In addition, there is a separate 4-bedroom dwelling on its own title currently utilised as staff housing.
Colliers broker Barry Robertson, who is handling the sale with colleague Steve McIsaac, says the strong mix of accommodation types mitigates business risk, which will add to its appeal.
“The Lodge includes 13 hostel rooms in a variety of configurations to suit traveller needs. There are an additional six rooms as part of a category 2 listed historic villa which have been sympathetically renovated to maintain the heritage charm whilst incorporating modern comforts for a higher tier of accommodation.”
Bar and restaurant facilities adjoin the accommodation complex and compliment the total offering. Guests can enjoy the quaint colonial-themed facility which is packed with old world charm. A large timber deck with permanent marquee fronts the restaurant allowing sheltered outdoor dining with stunning lake views.
The Lodge also includes a small standalone shop used as a booking office for the lodge, a storeroom and external spa pool where guests can enjoy the majestic mountain scenery. An additional 4-bedroom dwelling, situated on its own 1012 square metre freehold title and currently utilised as staff accommodation, adds to the package offering, says McIsaac. “This is a unique lifestyle opportunity for tourism providers and owner/ operators alike. The inclusion of the house opens up an avenue for owners or managers to run the business on-site as the current vendor’s have done with great success for many years. Concepts are available for partial redevelopment of the site to improve the accommodation mix, which the existing vendors can make available to qualified purchasers. This provides the opportunity to significantly grow revenue and the scale of the complex.” Located in Kinloch, at the head of Lake Wakatipu the true beauty of the opportunity lies in the enviable location, says Robertson. “Kinloch is some 20 minutes by car from Glenorchy and 48km from the heart of Queenstown. The Lodge is situated by the mouth of the Dart river and enjoys majestic lake and mountain views, truly postcard worthy. In addition, you are smack bang at the entrance to some of the country’s most iconic great walks including the Routeburn, Greenstone and Caples tracks.”
Nearby Glenorchy is a developing tourist town providing a range of activities including jet boating, four wheel drive guided tours, canyoning, funyaking, horse riding, kayaking, scenic flights, guided walking tours, ziplining, fishing & cycling. The area has also enjoyed a level of publicity off the back of the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies.
“With visitor numbers at approximately 2.9m per year to the Queenstown Lakes District and airport passenger movements forecast to reach 3.2m in 2025, the area is becoming increasingly popular with accommodation providers,” says Robertson.
Options exist to purchase the Lodge, House and Business either separately or as a combined Freehold Going Concern. Interested parties are encouraged to contact the Brokers for a detailed Information Memorandum on the opportunity.