Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels and Trans Act Hotel and Motel Brokers have been appointed to market the 89 year lease of Jenolan Caves Resort on behalf of Jenolan Caves Resort Pty Ltd. The Resort is located on the doorstep of one of the natural wonders of the Blue Mountains - the Jenolan Caves which have been rated one of the finest cave systems in the world.

According to Mr Mark Durran, Vice President, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, “The Resort comprises several businesses located at the Jenolan Caves including all four different accommodation businesses, both food and beverage outlets, a retail shop, staff accommodation and two houses”.

The total accommodation, comprising 102 guestrooms, offers a range of styles to cater for different guest requirements. Caves House is a tourism icon - the 51 room Victorian Boutique Hotel has been restored to capture the elegant style of the 1920s whilst offering up-to-date facilities. Other accommodation facilities include two bushwalking lodges, totalling 22 rooms and the Mountain Lodge, comprising 29 serviced units. The Resort provides the only two food and beverage outlets in the Jenolan Caves area which is visited by 250, 000 people annually.

The Resort is located on leasehold land at Jenolan Caves, on the edge of the Kanangra-Boyd National Park. It is being offered for sale for the first time with a remaining 89 years of a 99 year lease. Up until 1996 the property consisted of a traditional guesthouse until an extensive refurbishment plan expanded the Resort`s facilities.

The facilities were extended to include a conference centre and art gallery, with seating for up to 150 guests. The unique location of the resort has allowed the conference market to capitalise on the comprehensive range of unique activity programs offered by the Jenolan Caves Reserve Trust. These programs incorporate a variety of teambuilding and leadership activities including adventure caving, abseiling and bush navigation that have proven attractive to national and multinational conference groups.

In 1999, the Resort inducted its first intake of hospitality students, becoming an operating campus of the Western Institute of TAFE. The newly opened Hotel School with full classroom facilities is offering one to three year full time courses in Hospitality Management.

“The sale is occurring concurrently with the State Government`s call for proposals from private sector to build and operate a public aerial cableway system,” continued Mr Durran. “The proposed cableway would service the Jenolan Caves area and allow a significant increase numbers of visitors to enjoy the site which was has been restricted by limited car parking”.

Colleague, Mr George Nicholas added, “The new owners of Jenolan Caves Resort will have the opportunity to further develop facilities in line with increased visitation”.

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