Australian developer, Greaton, has just received planning consent for its highly-anticipated Wirra Wirra Wellness Resort project from the City of Onkaparinga.
Developed in partnership with Wirra Wirra winery, the resort will be built amongst their thriving vineyards at 255 Strout Road, in the renowned winery destination, McLaren Vale.
Nicho Teng, Managing Director, Greaton, says he is pleased the City of Onkaparinga supports the development of a high-end luxury resort, to supplement the existing accommodation currently available in the region.
“As a proud South Australian, I am pleased to work with Wirra Wirra to attract more well-heeled tourists to the area. Whilst the appeal of this outstanding wine region so close to Adelaide is well known, the lack of luxury accommodation has presented somewhat of a barrier to attracting more affluent international travellers,” he detailed.
“According to the South Australian Tourism Commission, the value of tourism expenditure in the Fleurieu Peninsula during 2018/2019 equated to $476M, however international tourists made up only 3 per cent of overnight visitors, with the vast majority being from intrastate.”
“This year, expenditure is forecast to increase to $509M, so while growth in this market is expected, we are confident this resort will go some way to further increasing international visitation once completed[1],” Mr Teng said.
“In addition, to further increase the appeal to overseas visitors, we are currently negotiating with an international wellness-oriented resort operator that runs some of the most renowned resorts and hotels around the world – we hope to be in a position to announce this partnership soon.”
Andrew Kay, Managing Director, Wirra Wirra, said that while the tourism expenditure generated in the Fleurieu Peninsula far outweighed the other wine regions closest to Adelaide – Barossa Valley and Adelaide Hills – they both attracted more international overnight visitors.
“We hear regularly from inbound tourism operators that the lack of premium accommodation in our region is a barrier to international visitation. We presented our hotel concept to potential suppliers at the 2019 Australian Tourism Exchange in Adelaide and the response was overwhelmingly positive,” he said.
“It gives us confidence that the 5-star development at Wirra Wirra will add real value to the Fleurieu Peninsula by offering an accommodation destination that will help drive international visitation, expenditure and awareness of the region.”
Designed by international architects, Blink Design Group, the concept for the Wirra Wirra Wellness Resort includes a 33-key resort spread across 10 separate buildings, with nine double-storey buildings, known as casitas, to be built.
A heritage property on the site that once belonged to the winery’s founder, Robert Wigley, will also be repurposed into a bridal suite.
“The building is quite derelict, and the development provides the opportunity to give it a purposeful role into the future,” said Mr Kay.
Aside from a wellness centre, guest facilities will also include a swimming pool and function hall.
Construction of the resort is expected to commence in November this year, with practical completion slated for 2022.