‘Outback Hollywood’ Resort Oasis Up for Grabs in SA

A  family-owned resort has put up the for sale sign in a small former coal mining town dubbed—with tongue firmly in cheek—the outback Hollywood.

Leigh Creek Outback Resort sits on the edge of the desert about 540km north of the South Australian capital of Adelaide.

It is a well-established hospitality oasis in its namesake town, which these days provides the base for a steady stream of  travellers exploring the nearby Flinders Ranges.

Since the town’s mining operations were closed in 2015, Leigh Creek has been re-inventing itself with $43.6 million of investment allocated from the state government to the town. Major infrastructure developments are already under way.

Not only is Leigh Creek an adventure tourism gateway to rugged, weathered peaks and ancient rocky gorges forged over more than 540 million years, it is a key service centre for the pastoral industry, oil and gas industry and a handful of other smaller surrounding communities.

In 2020, it was suddenly thrust into the spotlight when Hollywood star Zac Efron and a film crew were based in the town for several weeks to shoot the movie Gold near the salt pan at Lake Frome.

▲ Leigh Creek Outback Resort sits on a 4.8ha freehold landholding at the gateway to the Flinders Ranges in South Australia.

Leigh Creek Outback Resort is being taken to market by it owners, the Ward family, via an expressions of interest campaign run by HTL Property’s Nic Simarro, Paul Nyholt and James Carrick.

“This is more than a resort, it is an experience,” owner Breyten Ward said. “Leigh Creek Outback Resort epitomises the spirit of adventure and relaxation, offering something for everyone whether you're seeking adrenaline-pumping activities or simply unwinding amidst nature's beauty.”.

Its accommodation offering comprises 104 keys in the form of both motel rooms, two-bedroom units and eco-friendly cabins. The asset also has 23 powered sites for caravans as well as a restaurant, tavern, bottle shop, cinema, basketball stadium, conference facilities and a service station.

The resort sits on a 4.8ha freehold landholding, offering potential scalability and expansion upside.