The History Of Laguna Quays Resort
The Whitsundays is known as a dreamy holiday destination, home to 74 tropical islands and the world-famous Great Barrier Reef. Holidaymakers from across the globe book trips to the region just to see the natural wonders for themselves. With world-class resorts, fine-dining restaurants and private islands to explore, the Whitsundays is on everyone’s bucket-list. Among these luxurious resorts lies Laguna Quays Resort and Golf Course, a once-beloved holiday retreat that is no longer in operation.
Laguna Quays Resort cost $250 million to build and was a lavish, 5-star resort and 18-hole golf course located between Airlie Beach and Mackay that thrived in its day. Built in the 1990s and offering world-class facilities, Laguna Quays was the go-to, exclusive place to stay in the Whitsundays if you were seeking a deluxe getaway. So, what happened?
History of Laguna Quays
In 1992, the Laguna Quays Resort and Turtle Point Golf Course opened as a luxurious retreat for holidaymakers visiting the Whitsundays from around the world. Construction of the mega resort cost $250 million and took several years to build. The resort was developed by Japanese company Aqua Del Rey International under the vision of Shinichi Sawada, a businessman and scuba diving enthusiast who was 28 years old at the time. His vision, which only came to life for a few years, consisted of a resort with a 70-berth marina, an 18-hole golf course, a driving range, horse stables, a 5-star lodge, luxe swimming pools, a beach club, restaurants and a conference centre. Once labelled the ultimate destination for lavish travellers seeking a world-class experience in the Whitsundays, Laguna Quays Resort was a tropical haven for a moment in time.
Why was Laguna Quays Resort abandoned?
Image source: Avid Sports
In 1995 the Laguna Quays Resort went bankrupt and Aqua Del Rey owed around $200 million to various Japanese and Australian banks. In 2009 it was reported that $2 million in rates was owed to the local council in Mackay. Parts of the resort were auctioned off in an attempt to recover the money. In 2013, the Fullshare Holdings Group (a multinational investment company based in Hong Kong) bought the Laguna Quays Resort with the plan to refurbish and reopen the site.
The Fullshare Group already own a mega-successful resort in the Whitsundays, Mirage. Mirage Whitsundays is a luxurious and popular retreat for holiday-makers from across the globe, which is positive news for the future of Laguna Quays!
What is at Laguna Quays Resort?
Currently, the structures that remain at Laguna Quays Resort include a 60-suite lodge, a beach club, a marina, an empty golf course, a spacious 3-bedroom house with a pool, a bar and restaurant. The structures of the resort can be seen from the road, but it is not recommended that you enter the buildings to explore (nor is it safe). There are signs and cameras set up to ensure trespassers keep out.
Can I go to Laguna Quays?
You can visit the suburb of Laguna Quays. As there are residential homes there, it is advised that you be respectful of them. If you wanted to visit the abandoned resort, you likely won't be able to. The actual resort infrastructures are barricaded with 'no entry' signs to prevent people from entry and further vandalisation. As mentioned above, you can see parts of the resort from the street, and you can visit the resort's empty golf course and marina.
Do people live at Laguna Quays?
There are current residents in Laguna Quays. In the 2021 Census, the population sat at 89. Due to its isolated location, house prices are quite affordable in comparison to the rest of the Whitsundays. With houses averaging around $100,000, and land for sale at as low as $49,000, it’s the perfect place to live if you’re looking for peace and quiet.
Want to stay in a resort in the Whitsundays?
There are plenty of popular resorts in the Whitsundays where you can have the holiday of a lifetime. If laying back, cocktail in hand on a palm-tree filled island is your idea of relaxation then a few nights on Hamilton Island might be for you! Otherwise, check out some of the top resorts on the Whitsundays’ mainland; Coral Sea Marina Resort, Peppers, or Mirage, all located in Airlie Beach.
