SA’s almost-complete Monarto Safari Park on the market for $50m
![SA’s almost-complete Monarto Safari Park on the market for $50m](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
The nearly finished luxury hotel and glamping resort inside Monarto Safari Park in South Australia has been put up for sale Jayco caravan founder Gerry Ryan with an asking price of $50 million-plus.
The Australian Financial Review reports Ryan acquired the 65.66ha site, in the Murraylands region 70km from Adelaide, from Zoos South Australia in 2019 and began to develop the five-star resort.
The safari park itself, which is spread across 1500ha of undulating mallee country, is one of the largest in the world outside of Africa. It opened in 1983 as a special-purpose breeding area but became a zoo in 1990.
“I believe Monarto is a jewel in South Australia’s crown and the aim of this development is to create a truly memorable safari experience second only to a safari in Africa,” Ryan said at the time of his purchase.
The Intro Architecture resort occupies just under 18ha of the 66ha freehold site and features 78 guestrooms and 20 glamping tents with views overlooking the park’s African-inspired landscape and animals. It also offers conference facilities, a restaurant, bar, swimming pools, spa and cafe.
However, construction was delayed due to the pandemic and the closure of the safari park, with it now due to open in the latter part of the year, three years after its original due date. Ryan is also an investor, alongside carsales.com.au founder Wal Pisciotta, in Gumbuya World, a wildlife and amusement park about an hour from Melbourne.
The Financial Review ranked Ryan 199th in its 2023 Rich List with a fortune of $693 million. Apart from Jayco, he also owns Hubert Estate in the Yarra Valley and Mitchelton Winery in Nagambie.
“Our aim [at Monarto] has always been to offer guests an unparalleled experience, allowing them to immerse themselves in the natural wonder of the land while raising awareness about the crucial conservation initiatives taking place,” Ryan said.
Feature image: The concept image unveiled by Monarto Zoo when it announced the hotel and glamping plans.
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