Avondale Lodge & Spa will transform a former coal mining site into a world-class regenerative tourism destination.
Where nature, wellness, culture and hospitality are immersed within a restored Illawarra landscape.
Through adaptive re-use and thoughtful design, the project will celebrate the site’s heritage, demonstrate the power of landscape renewal, and establish a new benchmark for experience-led eco-tourism in Australia.
History
The site has a rich history of agricultural use before becoming home to the NSW Government-owned Huntley Colliery, which operated from 1946 to 1989. Originally established as a small hand-worked mine, the colliery expanded significantly following the discovery of the Wongawilli seam in 1952, becoming one of Australia’s most productive coal mines and the first in Australia to exceed one million tonnes of annual production by 1966. At its peak, the mine employed almost 500 people and played an important role in the Illawarra’s industrial development.
These mining operations significantly altered parts of the landscape, creating access roads, hardstand areas and modified landforms that remain evident today. Following the closure of the mine, the site transitioned primarily to grazing land, with the former mining areas largely underutilised. The proposed redevelopment provides an opportunity to positively transform these previously disturbed lands through environmental rehabilitation, landscape restoration and adaptive re-use, creating a new destination that acknowledges the site’s agricultural and industrial heritage while delivering lasting environmental, social and economic benefits.
Planning Process
The project will deliver authentic and immersive guest experiences with a focus on storytelling, pre and post European history, including former mining operations, and the unique Illawarra Landscape.
The project delivers substantial and much-needed environmental protection and restoration works, celebrating the site’s natural values through an interconnected network of enhanced visitor experiences, including walking trails, boardwalks, lookouts, viewing decks and gathering spaces that foster meaningful engagement with the regenerated landscape.
An experienced focused eco-tourist lodge and spa comprising;
Benefits
Rehabilitation and beneficial re-use of a former mining site and industrial heritage assets.
Significant environmental restoration and protection outcomes on previously disturbed land, with no native forest clearing.
Creation of a unique, internationally recognised eco-tourism and wellness destination for the Illawarra.
Increased tourism, economic activity and investment aligned with NSW visitor economy objectives.
Employment, training and local business opportunities that support regional prosperity.
Delivery of much-needed high-end immersive eco-tourism accommodation in regional NSW.
Enhanced appreciation and activation of the Illawarra escarpment landscape and surrounding visitor experiences.
The design team is led by Nick Turner, whose 25+ years of experience is underpinned by a passion for rehabilitating and reimagining sites through adaptive reuse.
His approach balances the preservation of a place’s history with contemporary design, creating hospitality destinations that strengthen community connections while celebrating local character. By finding the right balance between heritage and innovation, Nick delivers memorable hotel experiences that inspire people to visit, gather, and return.
Get in
Touch
For further information or to discuss the project, please get in touch with the project team. We welcome your feedback and interest and will continue to keep the community informed as the project progresses.