NT tourism destinations unveil $40m upgrade

Red Centre tourist attractions, Kings Canyon Resort and Glen Helen Lodge, revealed fresh looks after the completion of their combined $40m refurbishments.

Both properties were acquired by the G’Day Group in 2021 with plans to upgrade these tourism icons of the Red Centre.

Kings Canyon’s two-stage upgrade saw the property come back to life as the renamed Discovery Kings Canyon (the resort) and Discovery Parks – Kings Canyon (the holiday park).

Stage one of the upgrade comprised of 100 newly refurbished standard resort rooms, 58 new powered sites for caravanning and camping, and a modernised reception area.

Stage two of the re-development will include refurbishments to the deluxe and lodge rooms and is expected to be completed in 2023.

The ‘Under a Desert Moon’ dining experience, which sees guests dining under a canopy of stars, has been refreshed with a menu that celebrates the Outback. Seasonal food from the region also continues through the menus at Kings Canyon Bar & Grill and Carmichael’s Restaurant.

Discovery Kings Canyon relaunched its guest experiences including sunset drinks at the Luritja Lookout, the Tjina Ngaku-Pavi ‘Looking at the Track’ walk to take in the views of Kings Canyon, helicopter tours and the Sunrise Rim Walk.

CEO of the G’day Group, Grant Wilckens said Kings Canyon will be re-established as one of the most exciting resorts in Australia.

“Kings Canyon, owned by the Luritja people of Central Australia, is such a special part of the world,” Wilckens said.

“For a decade, the property was under foreign management, and it has been even longer since significant investment was made in the facilities.”

Glen Helen, owned by the Western Aranda Aboriginal people, reopened late 2021 after the G’Day Group became its custodian renaming the property Discovery Parks – Glen Helen.

Located a 1.5-hour drive from Alice Springs Airport, the property has completed stage one of a two-stage renovation. This includes 25 refurbished lodge rooms, a new restaurant deck overlooking the Glen Helen cliffs, and 36 new powered sites, a new amenities block with laundry as well as updated BBQ facilities.

Stage two of the development, subject to approval and slated for completion in 2023, will include the remaining 46 powered sites, 35 new cabins, a solar farm and new reception.

The property will also look to restore its heritage-listed, Indigenous smokehouse for guests to taste traditional charcoaled bush tucker.

Halfway between Alice Springs and Kings Canyon, Glen Helen is an icon for true outback hospitality and is renowned for its striking landscapes and natural wonders such as Glen Helen Gorge.

“G’day Group is a proud Australian company. The opportunity to reinstate Kings Canyon and Glen Helen at the helm of Australian tourism was one we couldn’t pass up,” Grant said.

“They sit within one of the most ancient landscapes of the world. A place that people from across the world dream to visit, yet accommodation options are limited.

“Through this significant investment, we hope to open the Red Centre to more visitors at a time when we have never needed tourism more.”

Featured Image: Glen Helen new restaurant