Moss Capital buys Doonside, Sydney wildlife attraction Featherdale Wildlife Park

The Sydney wildlife attraction Featherdale Wildlife Park has been sold to the boutique investment house, Moss Capital.

Its a deal estimated at $15?million, according to the Australian Financial Review.

The wildlife park on Sydney’s north-western fringes set over almost three hectares in Doonside near Blacktown was sold by the listed hotels and resorts group, Amalgamated Holdings.

The attraction will be managed by the Anthology Collection whose niche tourism experience portfolio includes the Wildman Wilderness Lodge in the Northern Territory.

Marianne Ossovani, executive director of Moss Capital’s hotels and tourism division said Featherdale’s strong cash flow generating capacity was the key drawcard.

CBRE Hotels associate director Andrew Jackson brokered the deal between the two companies associated with well known property veterans Alan Rydge and Bill Moss.

Amalgamated Holdings – the owner of Rydges Hotels and Resorts, Thredbo ski resort and Greater Union cinemas – had held the property since December 1996.

The land was originally purchased by Charles and Marjorie Wigg in 1953.

The Wigg’s son-in-law, Bruce Kubbere studied Australian fauna from early childhood and Featherdale opened to the public as a wildlife park in 1972.

In the early years Bruce, and his wife Margaret, operated a plant nursery in conjunction with the Wildlife Park so beautiful Australian native trees and plants line the walkways.

Featherdale’s future was threatened in 1975 with plans to use the property for a housing commission development.

The then Premier, Sir Robert Askin was presented with thousands of signed petitions convincing the government to rescind its original decision.