The only stop on the Northern Territory section of the Barkly Hwy between Camooweal and the Threeways north of Tennant Creek has changed hands.
Queensland cattle family, the Bassingthwaightes, have bought the Barkly Homestead roadhouse, 260km west of Camooweal and 220km east of Tennant Creek.
The Bassingthwaighte family declined to comment but Tourism Central Australia chief executive Danial Rochford told the ABC the new owners already had very strategic investments in the Northern Territory.
Mr Rochford said the price was "probably commensurate of the value".
The roadhouse, built in 1984, is a compulsory stop as the only option for fuel in this area and it is also a vital supply centre for the surrounding cattle stations, the trucking industry and local mining operations.
ResortBrokers managing director Trudy Crooks, who handled the deal with Northern Territory Specialist Kelli Crouch, said the multi-faceted business was listed for sale at $14 million.
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"Visiting Barkly Homestead is a 'must do' for travellers, truckies and mining and construction workers and, for local pastoralists and the surrounding community, it is their vital service, supply and social centre," Ms Crooks said.
"With its multiple, and complementing, income streams Barkly Homestead is showing strong year on year revenue growth and it was perfectly set up for a new operator to take it to the next level."
Ms Crooks said it was an opportunity like no other.
"An oasis in Central Australia, a unique destination with complete command of a captive market and genuine barriers to competition entry," she said.
"There were also opportunities for expansion across the whole suite of operations areas, including expanding the accommodation, F&B, the tourist services and the fuel service,
Set on 12 hectares, Barkly Homestead provides a roadhouse and fuel service, motel, cabin, caravan and camping accommodation, a shop, takeaway food, restaurant, bar and beer garden, airstrip, hangar and aviation fuel service.
There is a licensed restaurant for up to 150 guests, take away food service, bar and beer garden and a well-equipped shop. Barkly Homestead also provides an adjacent 1150-metre, all-weather airstrip, with associated facilities including space for aircraft parking, an aircraft hangar, and a 10,000 litre Avgas tank and bowser.
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