Historic Halse Lodge, a Noosa Heads landmark, shut its doors in February much to the concern of some residents, but it will re-open to local and international guests by the end of the year after the new tenant completes renovations and refurbishments.
Halse Lodge Backpackers Noosa submitted the winning bid following a nation-wide expressions of interest campaign run by property owner, the Anglican Church Southern Queensland (ACSQ), in 2020 through Knight Frank.
Halse Lodge Backpackers Noosa director Michael Tozer said that he and his team were prioritising the site’s preservation and historic value and look forward to re-opening the facility’s doors by the end of 2024.
“Current refreshment works at Halse Lodge include refitting the accommodation and renovating the commercial kitchen and bar while maintaining the suitability for short-term affordable accommodation,” Mr Tozer said.
“Noosa & District Landcare has been engaged to protect and enhance the ecologically important areas.
“We are mindful about preserving this site’s heritage significance and accentuating the old-time appeal.
“And, we are very much looking forward to welcoming back the Noosa community to Halse Lodge later this year to socially interact with the young transit worker, international student and holiday guest clientele.”
The 7,989 square-metre property is positioned just 150 metres from the world-famous Noosa Main Beach, nestled on a hill behind Noosa National Park.
Halse Lodge is the last remaining timber accommodation building in Noosa and is the longest continuously operating guest house in south east Queensland.
The original structure on site was a guest house built in the 1880s by local grazier, Walter Hay.
The original building was replaced in the 1920s, with a larger building using some of the original materials and was named “Hillcrest” then later renamed Halse Lodge.
The building is on the State Heritage Register under the Queensland Heritage Act 1992.
Locum Bishop for the ACSQ’s Northern Region, The Right Rev’d Bill Ray, said Halse Lodge was culturally and historically significant to the people of the Sunshine Coast and the Anglican Church.
“Halse Lodge is an important property for the Anglican Church, which has owned it since 1959,” Bishop Ray said.
“In 2020, our property team sought ideas from the market to better utilise Halse Lodge within the context of the Noosa Shire Council’s expectations.
“There have been a lot of evaluations and consultations in determining the right option, and we are happy to have found a great partner to refresh Halse Lodge before it is reopened soon.
“We are also happy to continue being custodians of this property, which has cultural significance to the local Noosa community, the Anglican Church community and the wider Queensland community.
“The ongoing income from the property will continue to contribute to the mission of the Anglican Church.”
Bishop Ray has been fulfilling the role of Bishop for the Northern Region as a locum since the former bishop for this region, Jeremy Greaves, was installed as Archbishop of Brisbane in December.
Nambour-raised The Rev’d Canon Sarah Plowman was last week announced by Archbishop Greaves as the new Bishop for the Northern Region, with her consecration as bishop to take place on Friday 21 June at 7pm in St John’s Anglican Cathedral, Brisbane.
