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Merlin Entertainments has announced that two of its Australian attractions - Otway Fly in Victoria and Illawarra Fly in NSW - are up for sale.

The decision to sell these two Australian rainforest attractions is part of Merlin’s global strategy to focus on offering 'clusters' of attractions in key cities.

In line with this strategy, the two rainforest attractions are now available for acquisition as freehold properties with vacant possession or as a going concern, offering a rare and unique investment opportunity for potential buyers.

Collectively, the Flys welcome over 100,000 visitors annually. With the Great Ocean Road region in Victoria seeing 5.4 million visitors annually, and the South Coast of NSW attracting 12.3 million visitors, the potential for further growth and investment is significant.

Ian Wood, Divisional Director for Merlin Entertainments ANZ, advised “while listing the sites of Illawarra Fly in NSW and the Otway Fly in Victoria was a difficult decision, it aligns with Merlin’s global strategy of focusing on the growth of the city clusters. Within Australia this includes Sydney and Melbourne.

“Both attractions will continue to operate as business as usual until the completion of the sale, or the direction of the new owner is confirmed. We are extremely proud of the positive impact these sites have had on thousands of local and international guests over the years. We want to thank our dedicated teams who have created magical memories for over 21 years at Otway Fly and 16 years at Illawarra Fly.”

Both Otway Fly and Illawarra Fly are renowned for their immersive treetop walk and zipline experiences. Situated in the scenic Otway Ranges and Southern Highlands, respectively, these attractions have been meticulously maintained and boast significant land holdings - approximately 81 hectares for Otway Fly and 13 hectares for Illawarra Fly. Located just 2.5 hours from Melbourne and 2 hours from Sydney, these attractions remain easily accessible and popular with both domestic and international visitors.

Lachlan Castran, who, along with John Castran, is managing the sale, noted “these assets are well-positioned to continue as successful tourism operations, but they also offer extraordinary potential for private buyers or educational organisations.

John Castran, added “the versatility and prime locations of these properties, combined with their substantial infrastructure, make them a rare investment opportunity."

Key Features of the Attractions

• Otway Fly: Features a 600-metre treetop walk elevated 25 metres above the forest floor, with a spiral tower reaching 47 metres that offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding rainforest. The zipline experience includes nine cloud stations and six ziplines.
• Illawarra Fly: Offers a 500-metre treetop walk with a 45-metre tower and a zipline experience featuring four cloud stations and three ziplines.
• Both attractions are equipped with extensive visitor facilities, including cafés, large car parks, and retail outlets, providing a complete guest experience.

Sale to Fund Luna Park Sydney acquistion?
Australasian Leisure Management Publisher Nigel Benton has speculated that Merlin Entertainments may use funds from the potential sale of the Fly attractions to fund the purchase of Luna Park Sydney, which is currently also for sale.

An acquistion of Luna Park Sydney would fit with Merlin's plan of offering a 'cluster' of attractions in gateway cities - with Sydney being such as city with four current Merlin attractions.

For more information:

Illawarra Fly website - Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures: Zipline & Treetop Walk

Otway Fly website - Otway Fly Treetop Adventures - Otway Fly

For sales enquiries contact: Lachlan Castran John Castran 

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