The millionaire founder of discount travel website Wotif, Graeme Wood, has put his eco-tourism venue Spring Bay Mill on the market for $15 million.
The Triabunna Woodchip Mill, widely known as the world’s largest mill of its type, was a key economic driver for Tasmania before it closed in April 2011.
At the time, then-owners Gunns Limited ceased operations at the mill in response to volatility in the international market and their planned exit from native-forest-based operations.
The mill was subsequently put up for sale and, in July, was purchased by Wood for $10 million with the help of Tasmanian entrepreneur Jan Cameron, only to be almost immediately shut down.
The pair’s decision was widely criticised at the time, with both the forestry industry and the state government calling for the site to remain open.
Wood had donated $1.6 million to The Greens the year prior, alongside contributions to various other environmental causes.
Damning reports emerged in the years that followed on the dismantling and destruction of the mill’s operational components, which were gutted to make reactivation of the site too costly.
It was reported that the work was done on the basis that the state government could seize the property within hours of being notified of such activities.
The manner in which the demolition occurred sparked a parliamentary inquiry in 2014.
In 2019, the site was reopened as an experimental eco-tourism and events venture and now features a restaurant, function centre and accommodation.
It is generally closed to the public, opening on demand for large corporate bookings instead.
“When the whole mill came up for sale in 2011, we bought it to turn something awful into something beautiful,” the Spring Bay Mill website reads.
“We renew, regrow, restore, replant, rebuild and recreate at Spring Bay Mill.”
The website describes its sale as a “once-in-a-lifetime investment opportunity” and encourages potential buyers to contact Wood for further details.
“One house in Sydney, or 43 hectares in Tassie. Sustainability is great PR, owning it is even better,” social media advertisements for the sale read.
The wharf attached to the mill, which houses an eight-story defunct ship-loader and is the only deep-water port on the state’s east coast, is not included in the sale.
The Wilcox family, owners of the wharf, hosted Australia’s first Cliff Masters event in December 2024 in the face of objection from Spring Bay Mill, attracting competitors from across the globe in the first activity at the wharf since the mill’s closure in 2011.
Tas Marine Construction owner Tom Wilcox had previously announced plans to build a luxury underwater restaurant and spa at the wharf in 2021, but was reportedly held back by road access concerns.
Graeme Wood did not respond to Pulse’s requests for comment.
