Land deal signals new dawn for world famous El Questro resort
The G’day Group is pleased to announce it has secured a 99-year lease in a landmark agreement between the Wilinggin Aboriginal Corporation (WAC) and the Western Australian Government.
The historic Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) covers the traditional lands of Wanjina Wungurr Wilinggin people at El Questro Wilderness Park in the Kimberley and sees approximately 165,000 hectares of El Questro stretching south of the Gibb River Road converted from a pastoral lease to freehold and reserve and returned to its Traditional Owners by the West Australian Government, nearly 120 years after El Questro was established as a cattle station.
Under the terms of the landmark ILUA, part of the land will be leased back to El Questro’s operator, the G’day Group, on a 99-year term and the company will retain the right to conduct tourism activities over the whole of the former pastoral lease area.
Founded by Grant Wilckens in 2004 with three properties in WA, the G’Day Group is now Australia’s largest regional accommodation provider with around 300 properties across Australia.
G’day reached $1bn company status in 2020, and is home to three brands; Discovery Parks (owned and managed parks), G’day Parks (independently owned licensed parks) and G’day Rewards (membership program).
G’day is majority owned by Australian Retirement Trust. Founder and CEO Grant Wilckens is also the Chair of the Caravan Industry Association of Australia and Board Director of the South Australian Tourism Commission.
