The rapid expansion of the G’day Group is continuing apace, and it has just announced the acquisition of four more caravan parks, taking its Discovery Parks network to more than 100 parks.
The group, which has now cemented its position as Australia’s largest regional accommodation provider, is now setting its sights on doubling in size by 2031.
The four newly-acquired parks were previously operated by Breeze Holiday Parks and brings the total number of Discovery Parks and Resorts to 101 nationwide.
The recent acquisition of four Breeze Holiday Parks in regional Victoria, the Northern Territory and Western Australia are expected to contribute more than $50 million in annual economic benefit and support over 420 full-time jobs.
G’day Group Founder, Grant Wilckens, is proud of the 100-park milestone. PIC: G'Day Group
The properties that will be rebranded under the Discovery Parks brand are:
The group says there will be no interruptions to existing bookings, with upcoming slots available via the Discovery Parks website soon.
The acquisition represents a more than $40 million investment by Discovery Parks, spanning purchase and upgrade of assets.
G’Day Groups says up to $250 million is planned for investment each year in regional Australia through further acquisitions and significant investment in its other properties.
G’day Group Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Grant Wilckens said he was incredibly proud of the 100-park milestone which ‘reflects 22 years of commitment to regional Australia’.
“We are committed to continuing to grow investment in regional Australia, with more than 16,600 jobs supported nationwide, and $2 billion flowing into regional economies every year,” he said. “We are now setting our sights to double in size by 2031 with ambitions for G’day Group to become a $4.5 billion market leader.”
The G’day Group was founded by Mr Wilckens in 2004 with three caravan parks in WA.
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Having stayed in many discovery parks over the last 9 1/2 years as fulltime grey nomads I can’t speak highly enough of the quality of maintenance and cleanliness in discovery parks.
On the other hand one does wonder about the implications of allowing the brand that much control of caravan parks. If they control the amount we pay and that rises they will lose out.
Although we don’t need caravan parks we prefer to stay in them due to our age and they do offer a modicum of security, hmm although that is sometimes questionable depending on the area we are in.
There is a big market in the free camping,how do we fix it do a good deal for short stay in your caravan parks .
I have turned away from the corporate parks, they have lost touch with providing affordable caravan parks. Site fees are extremely high and will continue due these corporate operators buying everything up. Some parks that we regularly visited became poorly maintained with grounds and amenities for the sake of more and more high end cabin accommodation.
I recently visited one of your properties for the first time,and have since booked another, the reason I booked was because these two both accepted my poodle dog into the cabins,however I have also been rejected from others under your banner because I choose to travel with my dog.Statiistics show that around 85000 so called designer dogs are bred every year. How many would you guess are being rejected by so many of your properties simply because they travel with their pet.
As with a lot of large group caravan park establishments I would hate it be money driven and not customer freindly
I stayed in several parks before this mob took over. Greed has reared its head and no way will I ever consider staying in one of their parks again.
We experienced significant site increased costs, lack of discount for long term (eg 4-6 weeks) stays and huge fluctuation in friendliness at reception (abrupt and very business like). Paying the full 6 weeks fee before checking in meant we decline the stay. Hopefully there’s sufficient ‘independent’ parks that offer an alternative. Supermarkets have a duopoly, we don’t need that approach with the caravan parks.
Well I’ve also stayed at a number of these parks and to me their standards are very low. Not all but most the only thing they do correct is take your money. Most are old and lack major maintenance and upgrades. Really disappointing!
I just hope that G’day doesn’t over extend causing them to go broke…there would be a lot of parks closed if that happens.
G’Day/Discovery needs more consistency. Some are great but some are as horrible as they were 10 years ago. And everything in between. The company needs to step up on applying standards for maintenance and cleanliness, like the major hotel banners
I’ve recently stayed in several Discovery Parks in SA and been offered great accommodation deals and the staff have been exceptional. have now taken membership with Discovery parks.
I have to agree with Brian’s comment, when corporates take over, prices rise & services seem to go down. For those who can afford some of these ridiculous site cost, fine, I’m sure there are parks for them but in general, most travelers need reasonably low-budget prices or it’s better we look towards free camping. If Wilckens keeps his site fees reasonably priced, we’ll patronize his parks but if he gets greedy, we’ll be quick to look at more affordable parks or free camping. Many caravans around nowadays do not require a caravan park to stop overnight or longer, therefore the parks need to make their sites budget appealing to us travelers.
This consolidation of Park ownership amoungst a small group of Corporations is a major concern and in my experience – is impacting competion, driving up prices and reducing services and quality of Park accomodation. A recent experience highlighted this. We looked for a caravan site at Brunswick Heads NSW. All 3 Caravan Parks in the area are Reflections Parks. We paid $91 for 1 night in a run down site in a run down Caravan Park. Reflections have largely cornered the market at Brunswick Heads and are prepared to lever this to drive up pricing. Caravaners and Campers, in my opinion and experience, are in for pricing manipultation which the Corporations term ‘Dynamic Pricing’ and a reduced experience all in the name of Corporate profit.
I will avoid them due to ‘dynamic pricing’
Big Groups taking over more parks is a reduction in competition and a reduction in choice for campers. What we need in these days of more caravans is more NEW PARKS.