Big plans for key Yarra Valley site

The developers behind two ambitious tourism projects in regional New South Wales today unveiled plans for a new Yarra Valley development.

Winarch Capital’s Cedar Mill Group has acquired a 100-acre site on the Maroondah Highway in the Yarra Valley for its third purpose-built outdoor amphitheatre and tourism project, expected to open in 2024 at a cost of up to $200 million.

It follows the previously announced $235 million redevelopment of Morisset Golf Course, to be known as Cedar Mill Lake Macquarie, with plans for a 30,000 person concert venue, cafés and restaurants, accommodation and Australia’s largest aquatic park. Construction is underway.

Last August, Cedar Mill Group also announced the purchase of one of the Hunter Valley wine region’s most premium development sites, in Pokolbin, for its second purpose-built outdoor amphitheatre and tourism project, expected to open late 2023 at a cost of about $150 million.

A premium wine tourism destination, the Yarra Valley already hosts over six million visitors per year.

Plans for Cedar Mill Yarra Valley, which is just over one hour's drive from Melbourne central, include a 300-bed hotel, conference and function facilities, three restaurants, 20 boutique villa units, tennis courts, a lake and gardens precinct, arts and craft village, and outdoor amphitheatre to host live concerts and events from major local and global touring acts.

The plans include local growers and operators providing boutique goods and dining experiences inspired by the local agricultural produce along wiith winemaking, distilling and brewing.

Winarch Capital and Cedar Mill Group managing director Paul Lambess said: “This strategic purchase is the beginning of our rollout of multiple sites in Victoria, as we are currently doing in NSW.

"This marks the first interstate purchase that will begin our realisation of a national and international network. All venues will include world-class and purpose-built amphitheatres that the Cedar Mill brand will be known for.”

Development plans for Cedar Mill Yarra Valley will be lodged in the coming months, with the construction phase estimated to create over 500 new jobs and inject upwards of $200 million through build costs, job creation, supply chain and consumption over the next two years.

The Cedar Mill group are actively searching for future Cedar Mill sites across Australia, their PR team reports.