Eight years after receivers moved in, Kooralbyn Resort has been given a new lease on life as Ramada Resort Kooralbyn Valley. The new-look venue has been transformed into a family-friendly integrated health and wellness eco-resort complete with a day spa, sporting facilities and an 18-hole golf course that is widely regarded as one of the most challenging in Queensland. The course has previously been a training ground for Adam Scott and Jason Day.

Originally built in 1973 by Sir Peter Abeles and Sir Arthur George, Kooralbyn Resort was Australia’s first golf resort and has hosted a wealth of notable individuals including the late Kerry Packer and former Prime Ministers Paul Keating and Bob Hawke before its closure in 2008. The site lay dormant for many years before it was purchased in 2013 by Peter Huang, who had a vision to return it to its former glory. The $10-million first stage of the renovations were unveiled in June 2016 and there are plans to establish an animal farm as well as add another 300 to 500 hotel rooms over the next five to 10 years.