Island gem set for a stunning comeback
THE co-founder of one of Queensland’s largest privately-owned development groups has bought an island resort in the heart of The Great Barrier Reef, with plans to bring it back to its former glory.
Queensland developer and richlister Shaun Juniper and his wife Samantha bought the former Club Med Resort on Lindeman Island which has been locked up for a decade.
Mr Juniper said they were very conscious of delivering “something pretty special” backed by his experience de
livering dozens of tourism projects including the iconic Sea Temple resorts.
“I have a long history developing Queensland resorts from Port Douglas all the way down to the Gold Coast,” he said.
“So what I’m doing is delivering my expertise to the island and look at what's already been approved and the tourism market and the island market.”
They are currently working through the relevant State Government approvals and hopeful of completing of the deal in the first quarter of 2023. The deal was struck by CBRE Hotels’ national director Wayne Bunz and associate director Hayley Manvell.
The sale continue a string of Australian richlisters buying Queensland islands.
Other island sales over the past 12 months to Australians include Lizard Island, purchased by billionaire mining magnate Andrew Forrest. Long Island, acquired by Sydney hoteliers Bill and Mario Gravanis, owners of Oscars Hotels; Hook Island, purchased by Glenn Piper’s Meridian Australia; and Elysian Retreat on Long Island, sold to entrepreneur Shayne Smyth.
Mr Juniper said he saw tremendous up-side in Lindeman as the Queensland islands ride a wave of interest since the announcement of the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane.
“It’s a great time to be the owner of an Australia island resort because there’s been a massive tourism uplift. People re-rediscovering Australia and don’t have to go overseas,” he said.
“That’s the big difference nowadays. People used to search for paradise discovered that paradise in their backyard.”
Mr Juniper refused to comment on what he paid for the island resort which had price expectations of more than $20m. However, sources say it was “well bought”.
Lindeman Island, off Airlie Beach, was owned by Chinese media mogul William Han’s White Horse Group since 2012.