Construction on a new health and wellness destination on Victoria’s Surf Coast in Australia will begin in early 2021, billed as the Southern hemisphere’s largest and only sport, health and wellness destination of its kind. This news comes as the country decides it will not be reopening for international travel until late 2021.
While many countries are keen to reopen their borders, the Australian government has decided to wait until a vaccine is available before lifting travel restrictions.
The rule applies to Australians, who cannot travel overseas, and international tourists who cannot enter the country. International travel, including by tourists and international students, is to remain largely closed off until late next year and then gradually return over time, and a vaccine to be available around the end of 2021 is one of the assumptions in this decision.
Meanwhile, the country will allow domestic travel later this year, except for Western Australia that will reopen in April 2021.
Looking to the future, the Victorian Government has approved plans to rezone 550 acres of land on Cape Otway Road Australia (CORA), allowing for the development of the Southern hemisphere’s largest and only sport, health and wellness destination of its kind. Construction will begin in the first quarter of 2021.
The AUD$350 million (US$249m) development set in a rural hinterland setting on Victoria’s Surf Coast is hoping to become an international destination, with CORA showcasing luxury accommodation, a wellness centre, an elite sports training facility and sports science hub, art galleries, design studios, an eco-museum, a retail and hospitality precinct including a microbrewery, signature restaurants and childcare centre, together with an organic farm and an outdoor event and sculpture park. CORA is claiming to represent the future of wellness tourism in Australia.
CORA will include:
- Aquatic centre with an Olympic-size swimming pool.
- Fitness gymnasium.
- Cycling, running and fitness paths.
- Physiotherapy, medical and consultation spaces.
- Recovery, hydrotherapy and performance analysis suites.
- Nutrition consultation.
- A performance gym.
- Yoga studio.
- Multiple sports facilities.
CORA will offer exceptional lifestyle and sport experiences to Australian and international visitors. Utilising local talent, business owners, artisans and producers, the site will boast a paddock-to-plate philosophy that combines both affordable and fine-dining food options and retailers.
The Australian government is giving AUD$250 million to boost tourism and infrastructure in Australia’s regions to assist businesses in regions heavily reliant on international tourism. A further AUD$200 million will spent to boost infrastructure in regional communities.
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