Journey Beyond snaps up Crocodile Hotel
Journey Beyond has bought what is believed to be the world’s only large-scale crocodile-shaped building, expanding its presence in the Northern Territory.
The Adelaide-based tourism operator backed by US private equity firm Crestview Partners – and owner of The Ghan and Indian Pacific rail businesses – acquired the Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel from Indigenous-owned Kakadu Tourism Group.
The deal includes the associated leasehold interest from Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation Jabiru Town.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission approved the purchase last week.
Journey Beyond was acquired by US tourism operator Hornblower Group in 2022 before ownership transferred to Crestview Partners following Hornblower’s restructuring two years later.
Kakadu Crocodile Hotel
Spanning 4.4 hectares in Jabiru, within the UNESCO listed Kakadu National Park about 250 kilometres east of Darwin, the 110-room Kakadu Crocodile Hotel was developed in 1988 by the Gagudju Association.
With 2671 square metres in the shape of a saltwater crocodile it is 250 metres long and 30m wide with a central outdoor swimming pool.
Mercure, an Accor brand, has run it over a decade.
Before that it was branded the Gagudju Crocodile Hotel (continues below).
With conference facilities for up to 250 guests, and 33 square metre rooms, it was marketed for its repositioning potential.
Colliers’ Karen Wales, Jackie Su and Sam Abel were the agents.
Journey Beyond expands into top end
The acquisition adds to Journey Beyond’s growing Northern Territory tourism portfolio linked to its national rail and experiential travel operations; one brand, Outback Spirit, uses accommodation there on certain tours.
Besides The Ghan, which runs between Adelaide and Darwin, the group controls Darwin Harbour Cruises.
It also holds a range of Northern Territory touring products tied to outback and remote tourism itineraries.
Earlier this year, it bought Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, with the Ayers Rock Resort in Yulura and Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre in far north Queensland.
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