People and Economic Activity

Economic Enterprise:

Lake Crackenback Resort

Introduction

Lake Crackenback Resort and Spa (LCR) is a resort style hotel located in the Snowy Mountains of Southern New South Wales. It is located only a short walk away from Bullocks Flat and the Ski tube terminal which takes visitors to Perisher Blue Ski resort during the snow season. The resort combines hospitality, comfortable surroundings, bountiful activity options and the surrounding environment to offer an enjoyable experience for many different types of visitors. From those seeking a snow adventure to those wishing to relax and rejuvenate at the onsite spa.

The nature of the economic enterprise                

Lake Crackenback Resort & Spa (LCR) is nestled on 150 acres, bordering Kosciuszko National Park in the Snowy Mountains within easy reach of both Thredbo and Perisher. A year round destination, the Resort offers a wide range of soft adventure experiences, numerous free onsite activities, the finest local produce with a choice of two restaurants, a variety of 4.5 star accommodation including stunning Lake View Apartments and Mountain View Chalets and an array of pampering treatments at the Day Spa. A natural playground, the Resort’s spectacular setting and unique offering has something for everyone. Guests come here to relax, rejuvenate and activate.

The resort has grown exponentially from its inception in the 1970’s as a 12 unit motel “Little Thredbo Homestead”. An area rich in natural features and heritage, LCR was built in 1988 (purchased by the FAI Insurance Group). The manmade lake, the Lake View Apartments, conference and recreational facilities were developed. An inspirational creation, LCR received the prestigious Sir John Sulman's architectural design award. In 1985 Skitube was built to transport visitors from the Thredbo Valley to Perisher Blue.

The construction positioned LCR as the most central 'Dual Mountain Resort' in the region located 15 minutes from Thredbo and Perisher. LCR, connected to the Skitube by a private 150 metre road, now provides a complimentary shuttle for the Skitube, realising the advantage for snow sports enthusiasts staying at the resort. In 2003 Bruce Marshall’s Australian Land Company purchased the property with a strong vision to create a fully integrated, year round resort destination.

With the change in ownership came the development of the luxurious Mountain View Chalets and Studios, Alpine Larder Cafe, Day Spa, new Reception and retail shop, a beach to launch kayaks from and many resort activities including mountain bike tracks, Segway Tours and River Sledding to name a few. The vision of an integrated resort has been realised and LCR is currently positioned as a 4.5 star premier Snowy Mountains Resort.

The Apartments and Chalets are privately owned freehold strata lots. Resort management is provided by Lake Crackenback Resort Management Pty Ltd on behalf of the Owners Corporation. The management company markets the resort and runs a variety of functions including conferences, events and weddings to boost occupancy.

Accommodation & resort features

The resort consists of:                                

• 47 Lakeside Apartments – ranging from 1 bedroom, 2 bedrooms, 2 bedrooms + loft and 3 bedrooms                        

• Approx. 41 Chalets and Studios – ranging from Bronze, Gold and Platinum ratings and from Studio rooms to 4 bedroom Chalets.                                        

• Lakeside apartments trim the edge of the lake and enjoy beautiful views and a relaxing environment. The Chalets are nestled amongst the trees and surrounding grounds of the resort creating peaceful and secluded experience

Resort Facilities        

•Reception and Shop for convenience

•2 Restaurant options (trading hours vary in seasons) •Indoor Pool and Gym

•Day Spa

•Weddings, Conferences and Events facilities

•Activate activities

•Onsite Maintenance & Housekeeping teams

•Walking and Bike riding trails                        

•Access to the Little Thredbo and The Thredbo rivers (by foot or bike)

A selection of free activities for guests to use including:                                                

•Trampolines

•Archery

•Canoes and Paddle Boards on our lake

•9 Hole 3 par golf course

•Tennis and assorted ball games

•Indoor heated pool and Gymnasium

•14km of bike and walking tracks

We also offer a range of paid activities which include: •Bike Hire

•Segway Eco Tours

•Thredbo River Sledding

•Guided Fishing Tours

•KAGW – Kosciusko Alpine Guided Walks

Location factors

Located on the Alpine Way between the town of Jindabyne and Thredbo, LCR offers itself as a relaxing destination for those looking to enjoy the sub-alpine surroundings.

Lake Crackenback Resort is positioned as the most accessible ‘dual mountain’ resort meaning that its location offers easy access to both Perisher Blue and Thredbo resorts within 15 mins, via either the ski tube or road access to Thredbo. The proximity to two of Australia’s prominent NSW ski resorts is of course important for its economic success. The Alpine Way offers travellers from the regional hub of Jindabyne access to Thredbo and beyond.

The resort not only functions as a winter resort offering a place for those involved in snow sports to stay but as a year round resort mountain location offering a variety of sporting activities during summer months. Although Thredbo has developed a variety of summer activities to draw tourists during the non ski season, Perisher Blue, the other mountain accessible via the ski tube has yet to establish itself as a summer destination. LCR although it may not be able to offer the distinct variety of terrain for mountain bikers, including chairlift assisted trails that Thredbo can offer but it has substantially increased its focus towards offering those interested in two wheels by developing kilometres of trails around the park, incorporating the Thredbo Valley Track.  

The ecological dimension (environmental constraints, climate, human impacts on the environment, pollution and ecological sustainability):

Lake Crackenback Resort sits at approximately 1120m above sea level surrounding the man made lake and close to the Little Thredbo River. Located at a similar elevation and only a few kilometres further up the valley, the Thredbo Village climate statistics reveal that this location has an annual mean maximum temperature of 13.9 degrees celsius, and annual mean minimum of 2.0 degrees celsius. On average this location receives approximately 1800mm of rainfall annually.

Located close to the base of the Thredbo Valley, near the Thredbo River the resort is surrounded by mountainous terrain and Penderlea Gap to the south west. Perisher Blue resort at an altitude of 1720 m lies only a number of kilometres to its north, separated only by the steep hills of the Thredbo Valley.  

The construction of the resort and the creation of the man made lake have, of course altered the nature of the landscape. Construction of the apartments, other buildings, roads, walking and mountain bike trails have altered the landscape. Please use the opportunity to speak with the manager and other staff in regards to sustainability and measures put in place to limit pollution and like during our visit.  

Linkages and flows

Lake Crackenback Resort operates under the banner of Accor Hotels. Branded as a Novotel resort, Lake Crackenback has a current vision to market itself as a 4.5 star premier Snowy Mountains resort. The Apartments and Chalets are privately owned freehold strata lots. Resort management is provided by Lake Crackenback Resort Management Pty Ltd on behalf of the Owners Corporation. The management company markets the resort and runs a variety of functions including conferences, events and weddings to boost occupancy.

Resort Management Flow chart

(Alpine Larder- Onsite restaurant)

Accor Hotel Brands

As part of the larger Novotel brand, the resort makes up a small portion of the 85,000+ Novotel branded rooms internationally. Marketed as a mid-scale accommodation type, Novotel hotels and resorts are found throughout the globe.

Accor Hotels Portfolio as of June 2016

Lake Crackenback Resort attempts to attract guests by not only providing tranquil, relaxing surroundings for guests but also providing a base for adventure fueled events such as the recent World Cross Triathlon Championships, held at the resort from the 17th-20th November 2016. This event attracted athletes from around the globe by offering a $45,000 USD prize pool. The resort also played host to the recent ‘Snowies MTB Festival’.

Impacts of global changes in the economic activity

This festival hosted by the resort reflects the increased focus towards accommodating the requirements of athletes interested in mountain sports that do not require snow. Holding this event and the ever increasing amount of trails in and around the resort reflects an ever increasing trend toward facilitating this sport. Following in the footsteps of major mountain resorts in north America and Europe, Australian mountain resorts recognising the impact of climate change upon snow falls and length of the snow season in Australia. If a resort such as Lake Crackenback is to solidify itself as a premier mountain bike destination now this may lead to continued economic growth in an uncertain time for mountain resorts in Australia.

Lake Crackenback Resort recognises the value of brand ambassadors in spreading the name and brand personality of the enterprise. Caroline Buchanan and Andy Blair both of whom are professional mountain bike riders use their notoriety and credibility to further the brand. Buchanan, an olympian and world champion who has a section of the MTB park named after her, is an example of how this enterprise is able to reflect the personality it attempts to achieve by employing athletes as brand ambassadors. Based upon the number and type of brand ambassadors, Lake Crackenback seems to be pursuing a brand personality that reflects adventure and a love of the outdoors. With famous fisherman to downhill skiers, cross triathletes and mountain bikers as brand ambassadors Lake Crackenback markets itself as a destination capable of facilitating these outdoor lifestyles.    

This brief introduction to Lake Crackenback Resort should provide an overview of a variety of factors involved in the operation and function of the resort. Below are the relevant syllabus dot points we must cover in relation to our chosen Economic Enterprise case study. Please become familiar with them. Start to think of some questions that you may like to ask during our time at Lake Crackenback resort. You will be provided with some time to ask these and any other questions you may have.

• Nature of the economic enterprise
• Location factors
• Ecological dimensions (environmental constraints, climate and human impacts)
• Linkages and flows of people, goods, services and ideas within the economic enterprise
• Effects of global changes in the economic activity on the enterprise