Wesley Mission selling Vision Valley retreat and conference centre in Sydney's Hills District

In March Wesley Mission decided to close Vision Valley and to look for a suitable buyer that it hoped would continue the vision for the site.

“It was a difficult decision to make after 48 years and I particularly want to thank the team for their passion and efforts. [Their] commitment to this location, for some over decades, will leave a legacy,” said Wesley Mission chief executive the Reverend Keith Garner.

Since 1972 the property has been used to host school camps and church groups, as well as serving as a facility for professional and personal development courses.

“This excellent bushland facility was established by former Wesley Mission Superintendent, the Reverend Sir Alan Walker, who had a vision to be able to give people who couldn’t afford a holiday the chance to get away from it all,” Reverend Garner said.

Agent Peter Vines, managing director of Ray White Commercial Western Sydney, said properties of such a size in close proximity to Sydney were incredibly rare, particularly those with town water and grid power.

“It’s only a 30-minute drive to Parramatta,” he said, adding that the property could easily tap into the expected booming domestic travel market post pandemic.

“The biggest thing for this asset is how close it is to Sydney – that is a major factor for anybody who is looking at it. I think certainly domestic tourism is going to be much more prevalent in the next few years and corporates, instead of going overseas, will hold conferences locally. [As a result of that] I think there will certainly be increased interest in properties like this,” Mr Vines said.

Given the nature and size of the facilities, buyers were likely to include organisations seeking a retreat and tourism operators who could “improve on the existing infrastructure”.

According to Reverend Garner, proceeds from the sale would go to funding the Mission’s 120-plus programs and essential community services.

The property, at 7A Vision Valley Road, includes a main auditorium, large commercial kitchen, open-air amphitheatre, offices and meeting rooms and is able to accommodate 274 guests.

Recreational facilities include a large playing field, archery range, high and low-rope course, canoeing, beach volleyball court, two swimming pools, a natural rock climbing wall, waterslide, abseiling and a flying fox.

It is zoned RU1, making it suitable for accommodation, recreation, education and agriculture.