G’day Group to acquire Triple J Tours and Kununurra Cruises

Australia’s largest regional accommodation provider G’day Group, is expanding its portfolio of tourism experiences in Western Australia’s Kimberley Region following an agreement to purchase Kununurra-based Triple J Tours and Kununurra Cruises.

It marks G’day Group’s first acquisition of a dedicated touring operation as it looks to build on its offering in one of Australia’s most sought-after regional destinations. The Group is already one of the largest tourism operators in Australia’s north-west, with Discovery Parks properties in Kununurra and Broome, Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle and the world-famous El Questro.

The Group also runs the Kimberley Durack cruise out of Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle, providing immediate opportunities following the acquisition of Triple J Tours and Kununurra Cruises.

Founded more than 35 years ago, Triple J Tours runs daily cruises along the Ord River between Kununurra and Lake Argyle in the Kimberley. Complementing this, Kununurra Cruises, which was added to the Triple J portfolio in 2014, offers sunset cruises on Lake Kununurra.

Between them, the businesses operate five tour boats and six buses and offer a variety of half-day and full-day tours and sunset cruises out of Kununurra, with coach transfers from accommodation.

G’day Group Chief Executive Grant Wilckens said the acquisition offered synergies with existing operations and would enable an expanded river touring offering for visitors to the Kimberley.

Wilckens shared “Triple J Tours and Kununurra Cruises are an established and reputable operator in the Kimberley, and their strong relationships with local tourism bodies and trade operators bring a significant volume of tourists to the region.

“We think there’s a great opportunity to develop a more comprehensive cruising offering by leveraging our breadth of existing accommodation and hospitality offerings in the region.

“Practically, this could include stopping off at Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle for lunch or a swim in the incredible infinity pool or packaging up tours with overnight accommodation at our Discovery properties or El Questro.

“We’re also thrilled to be retaining key management in acquisition, which will help ensure a seamless transition and enable us to build on the businesses’ established relationships to grow our customer base.”

Triple J Tours Operations Manager Dylan Lodge said that the acquisition would provide more opportunities to enhance the visitor experience in the Kimberley.

Lodge enthused “we are excited to see the ongoing positive impact Triple J Tours and Kununurra Cruises will have on the Kimberley Region.

“It’s great to be joining G’day Group to embark on the next phase of growth and to unlock new opportunities in the region.”

As part of the acquisition, all Triple J and Kununurra Cruises staff will be offered ongoing employment, including Operations Manager Dylan Lodge, who will oversee day to day running of the business, and co-founder Jeff Hayley, who will continue to skipper boats on a contract basis.

The acquisition is expected to be finalised in the coming weeks.