Parks Victoria is seeking a high-quality operator with the vision and capacity to manage and operate the Tidal River General Store, located within Wilsons Promontory National Park.

The successful Proponent will also have the option to utilise a partially furnished caretaker’s residence, known as the Tidal River Store Residence, to support the Store’s operation. Located within walking distance to the Store, the Store Residence can be included in the overall lease arrangement.

This is the first Expression of Interest process for the future lease of the General Store and Store Residence in over 10 years.

Within the beautiful setting of Wilsons Promontory National Park, the General Store is centrally positioned in the heart of the Tidal River visitor precinct and close to the Visitor Centre. The Store is the only retail, food and beverage offering for visitors to the Prom, located approximately 37 kilometres from the nearest town of Yanakie. It is ideally placed to service the park’s many local, interstate and overseas visitors.

Peak visitation to the park is in January when thousands of day visitors, campers and overnight guests make the most of the summer weather. In January 2024, there were an estimated 85,000 visitors to Wilsons Promontory National Park (based on Parks Victoria’s traffic counter).

Applicants can propose to lease the General Store and the Store Residence for a term between 10 to 21 years. This offers the opportunity for an operator to revitalise a key visitor asset, in line with Parks Victoria’s objectives for accessible, environmentally sustainable, and high-quality visitor experiences.

Key elements of the opportunity include:

• Single-storey General Store and Café building, with the option of onsite staff accommodation, which consists of a 3-bedroom Store Residence and 4 powered staff campsites.
• The General Store features three components: Food and Beverage, Supermarket and Retail.
• Food & Beverage (Café & Restaurant) – quality coffee & food for day and overnight visitors
• Supermarket – pantry staples, personal-care products, ice, etc.
• Retail - souvenirs, camping equipment, apparel, etc.
• Well-established ‘General Store’ brand identity with flexibility for Applicants to adapt as suits their business model.
• Additional licence area in front of the Store to support serving food and drinks outdoors.
• Prime position in the heart of the Tidal River Visitor Precinct, next to the Visitor Centre and 37 km from the nearest general store at Yanakie.
• Lease term of between 10 and 21 years.

The Opportunity also comprises the provision of additional services including but not limited to:

• Catering including pre-booked hampers and other catering packages for overnight and day visitors to the park.
• Extended operating hours including evening dining.
• Selling coffee/drinks/ice creams/snacks via a mobile coffee van near Norman Beach during peak season.

Any additional services are subject to the approval of Parks Victoria and may be subject to Council approval.

Please note that a site visit is a requirement of submitting an application. You can register for one of the site visits under 'Briefings' below.

Briefings

Tidal River General Store - Site Visit

A briefing session will be held at 2 Ring Rd, Tidal River General Store, Tidal River, Victoria, Australia, 3960 on 21 January 2025 02:30 pm.

Notes: Requirement of Applicants to attend one site inspection. Applicants are welcome to register for additional inspections.

A site visit is a pre-requisite to submission and consideration of a bid.

Registration closes on 20 January 2025 03:30 pm

Tidal River General Store - Site Visit

A briefing session will be held at 2 Ring Rd, Tidal River General Store, Tidal River, Victoria, Australia, 3960 on 3 February 2025 02:00 pm.

Notes: Requirement of Applicants to attend one site inspection. Applicants are welcome to register for additional inspections.

A site visit is a pre-requisite to submission and consideration of a bid.

Registration closes on 31 January 2025 03:30 pm