Top dog of pet tourism in Australia is looking for a new owner
The top dog of Australia’s burgeoning pet tourism industry is looking for a new owner.
Best Friend Holiday Retreat is a multi-award winning homestay for holidaymakers and their pets, offering cottage, caravan and camping accommodation on four hectares of parkland in Victoria’s Gippsland region.
Best Friend Holiday Retreat has won awards for its pet-friendly facilities. Photo: Supplied
The property, between rainforest and the ocean east of Melbourne, has been named the best tourism business of its type nationally for several years in row and is on the market for $1.59 million.
The price includes the business and freehold that features seven holiday cabins, kennels complete with TV, armchair and heater, dog playgrounds and pampering facilities, and a two-bedroom house to accommodate the owner.
The retreat also includes a dog-minding service.
The retreat has pet-friendly cabins, plus kennels fitted with TVs and heaters. Photo: Supplied
Selling agent Michael Walstab, of King & Heath First National Bairnsdale, said the retreat would appeal to buyers looking for a busy and profitable business with established clientele in a regional area.
“The retreat is extremely successful with people coming from Sydney, Melbourne and further afield to stay on a regular basis. Potential buyers will be able to see that it’s very profitable when they do their due diligence,” Mr Walstab said.
“Part of the reason for its success is the ongoing growth in the pet pampering market and because Gippsland is such a dog-friendly region, and more people now want the convenience of being able to take their animals with them on holiday.”
More holidaymakers are on the lookout for accommodation where their pets are welcome. Photo: Supplied
Pet tourism has grown as Australia’s accommodation industry follows the lead of Europe and North America. The choices have widened to include holiday parks, B&Bs, boutique properties and luxury hotels.
At Best Friend Holiday Retreat, onsite attractions include croquet areas, aviaries, trout fishing, natural swimming holes and orchards.
The property is 17 kilometres from Yarram which has supermarkets, hotels, restaurants and a 24-hour veterinary service. It is a half-hour drive to off-leash beaches.
More pet-friendly property
Among similar pet tourism listings on Commercial Real Estate this week is a 31-hectare coastal resort near Coolangatta on the Queensland and New South Wales border.
Tailwaggers Rainforest Retreat & Coolangatta Pet Motel is for sale and listed on CommercialRealEstate. Photo: Supplied
The owners of Tailwaggers Rainforest Retreat & Coolangatta Pet Motel have recently reduced its price by $1 million and say it represents solid value at $2.95 million.
The high-end resort includes an eco tourism 100-person motel, conference centre, boarding kennels, dog training facility and owner and manager residences.
The property overlooks the Pacific Ocean and features 4km of walking tracks, a games room, BBQ area, undercover entertaining area and swimming dams.
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