Historic Southern Tablelands Holiday Destination, Good Hope Resort, Is For Sale

Historic Southern Tablelands holiday destination, Good Hope Resort, is for sale for the first time since 1909 

For the first time since its establishment more than 116 years ago, the iconic Good Hope Resort on the shores of Lake Burrinjuck near Yass has been listed for sale.

Exclusively marketed by Anthony Vatalis and Cody Edwards of Raine & Horne Commercial Canberra, in conjunction with Rosie Horak of Taplin Real Estate (SA), this remarkable 56.64-hectare holding that last sold in 1909 combines sweeping water frontage, local tourism history, and significant development upside.

Positioned within one of regional NSW’s most picturesque recreational settings, Good Hope Resort has been tightly held by the same family.

“It presents an increasingly rare opportunity to acquire a multi-faceted tourism resort and camping asset of genuine scale that is generating annual income from a range of caravan sites, holiday cottages, cabins, and powered and unpowered campsites.”

For investors seeking growth, an existing Development Approval allows for 28 additional short-term income-generating dwellings and offers flexibility for operators looking to expand, develop, or rebrand.

“We’re seeing bigger resort companies purchase sites like this, clean-slate them and rebuild,” Mr Edwards said.

“Typically, they’ll construct a larger single-level structure like a motel, with connected rooms, and then layer in smaller rooms and additional facilities such as spas and pools in separate buildings around it.” 

Resort groups and local owners show immediate interest in rare tourism offering

Mr Edwards said a healthy, early enquiry level has already demonstrated the strength of demand for large-format tourism assets such as Good Hope Resort.

“It’s incredibly rare to bring a property of this scale, history and natural amenity to the market, let alone one that has not sold since 1909,” Mr Edwards said.

“We previewed the listing on social media a few weeks ago with very little detail, and we immediately fielded interest from resort groups and even private owners with cabins located at Good Hope Resort who recognise just how special this opportunity is.

“A buyer with a vision for a multi-layered holiday experience that offers a broad range of accommodation options and recreation choices from boating, fishing, to water sports such as skiing and jet boating, will see enormous potential here.” 

Summer real estate scrolling season drives strategic launch of Good Hope Resort

Mr Vatalis said the timing of the launch was deliberate, aligning with the period when Australians traditionally have more time to research holiday destinations and lifestyle investments.

“Across the commercial real estate portals, holiday season enquiry always surges. People are relaxing, scrolling, and considering their possible next venture, so we decided this is the perfect time to showcase a unique tourism asset such as Good Hope Resort.”

Mr Vatalis highlighted the holding's versatility. “The DA approval creates significant scope for growth, and the scale of the site means operators can cater for everything from traditional camping and caravanning through to the development of higher-end resort-style accommodation,” Mr Vatalis said.

“Very few properties in regional NSW offer this combination of expansive water frontage, existing income, development flexibility, and a story stretching back more than a century. It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

A historic tourism landmark

The current vendor’s connection to the land began when his great-grandfather ferried clay and sand up the Murrumbidgee River to help build the mighty Burrinjuck Dam.

Mr Edwards noted, "After the dam's completion, the family pivoted and began transporting sightseers visiting Yass upriver to view it, and in the process, he established tourism in the Yass district."

“Over generations, Good Hope Resort has since grown to include cabins, licensed private sites, caravan sites, and camping facilities that have been enjoyed by thousands of families, and we are honoured to bring this remarkable and historic lakeside holding to market.”