Jamala Wildlife Lodge and National Zoo & Aquarium offered to market and investors for first time in 25 years

Luxury lodge, Jamala Wildlife Lodge, and one of the country’s largest privately owned zoos, the National Zoo & Aquarium in Canberra has come onto the market for the first time in over two decades.

Listed by leading agents, Savills in conjunction with Colliers, the owners of the multi-award-winning property offer the property (with 92 years remaining on the 99 year Crown Lease) and business for sale.  They are open to other sales options including partnership investment.

Nick Lower, State Director – Hotels (NSW & VIC) at Savills said, “This is an incredibly rare opportunity for a buyer looking to penetrate the luxury high-end accommodation market.”

Jamala Wildlife Lodge consists of individually designed five-star accommodation options across three precincts – uShaka Lodge, Giraffe Treehouse and Jungle Bungalows – and has been recognised locally, nationally and internationally with extensive awards wins including:

• Signature Travel (4^th Top Conservation Experience in the World, 1^st in Australia)
• The Australian (Best Holiday Hideaways across Australia)
• Australian Traveller Magazine (People’s Choice Award)
• Australian Hotel Association (Best Deluxe Accommodation in Australia)
• Australian Hotels Association ACT Awards for Excellence (Best Deluxe Accommodation)
• TripAdvisor (Traveller’s Choice)

The main building, covering approximately 2,200 sqm, contains the 1,130sqm aquarium with 46 tanks and exhibits as well as guest rooms, a lounge, two dining and kitchen areas, terraces, a swimming pool and spa.  The facility also has a number of accommodation options for staff and owners.

Speaking on the luxury lodge’s impressively high occupancy rates, Leon Alaban, National Director Hotels at Savills said, “Yielding room rates in excess of $2,000 per night, a stay at Jamala Wildlife Lodge with its 18 luxuriously appointed rooms overlooking the Molonglo River and private enclosure views of the zoo is truly a once in a lifetime experience.”

The Crown Lease allows for up to 32 further accommodation units to be constructed.

The trophy asset, sitting over 25,493 ha, is just 10 minutes’ drive from the capital’s CBD and started with humble beginnings when owner Richard Tindale first purchased the property in 1998. 

The zoo has since undergone significant development and now includes nearly 70 animal habitats, most of which are moated, housing a vast array of native and exotic animals including tigers, giraffes, rhinos, hyenas, and red pandas.  The aquarium features ocean and freshwater fish, along with sharks, reptiles and amphibians.

With a stellar reputation for being one of the leading facilities in Australia known for its extensive contribution to national, regional and international breeding and conservation programs, the zoo offers a family-orientated experience including day passes, tours / encounters, night tours and stays as well as local community memberships.