Hospitality and Home

Unparalleled hospitality and community focus entrenched in the local spirit

Set against the breathtaking landscapes of Western Australia’s Kimberley region, Kimberley Accommodation Group has built a strong reputation for quality hospitality, community engagement, and a deep respect for the area’s rich Indigenous heritage.

Kimberley Accommodation Group caters to travelers and locals and is committed to delivering exceptional accommodations and lively social spaces. Under the leadership of Managing Director Dannielle Hart, the company continues to evolve, seamlessly blending tradition with innovation while upholding the family values that have been the foundation of its success for decades.

Family values

“My stepfather started the business in the ’70s when he moved to the Kimberley, with the Kimberley Hotel in Halls Creek being his first acquisition in 1979,” Hart explains. Over the decades, the company has expanded significantly, managing eight distinct hospitality businesses across the region and various residential properties and commercial leases. While the business has grown, it remains family-driven, with strong values at the core of its operations.

Hart runs the company alongside her stepbrother, Martin, while her parents remain actively involved on the board. “My parents still visit the venues regularly, and over the years, different family members, including my brother, and even my children, have been involved in the business,” she says.

Navigating the complexities of a family-run business requires strategic management, and Kimberley Accommodation has successfully balanced these dynamics with the support of external consultants. “We work closely with the Family Business Association and a consultant, John Broons, who mentors and coaches families in business together,” Hart notes.

A diverse portfolio of premier hospitality

The Kimberley Accommodation Group’s portfolio is a testament to its adaptability and commitment to providing quality lodging and hospitality services. In Broome, where the company is headquartered, its flagship properties include Moonlight Bay Suites, a premier accommodation venue with 50 self-contained apartments, recently refurbished to enhance the guest experience. The property offers stunning views of Roebuck Bay and boasts a large lawn space frequently used for events and weddings.

Bayside Holiday Apartments provides a more budget-friendly option with 12 self-contained apartments catering to travelers seeking comfortable yet affordable accommodations. Matso’s Broome Brewery, a beloved microbrewery and restaurant, has become an institution in Broome, hosting events such as Oktoberfest and Streetfest while producing high-quality craft beer. Cable Beach House, formerly known as Zanders, is a beachfront restaurant and kiosk offering spectacular views over Cable Beach and catering services for functions and events.

Outside of Broome, the company operates significant properties in regional centres, including the Kimberley Hotel in Halls Creek, a full-service hotel featuring three bars, a restaurant, 82 hotel rooms, one- and two-bedroom apartments, and 56 single-person quarters. Hotel Kununurra is a similarly extensive property with three bars, a restaurant, a bottle shop, 49 hotel rooms, and 24 single-person quarters. The venue is known for its vibrant entertainment scene, frequently hosting live music events. Vaggs Wyndham Liquor is a standalone bottle shop serving the Wyndham area. The business also holds a partnership stake in Kimberley Spirits Distillery, trading as Moontide Distillery, in Broome, further diversifying its offerings and cementing its place in the region’s hospitality and tourism industry.

Revitalizing iconic properties

A commitment to ongoing investment has been a key driver of Kimberley Accommodation’s success. “Last year, we took on two new businesses and completed major renovations,” Hart shares. Among the most significant projects was the refurbishment of Moonlight Bay Suites. “My father originally purchased the property when it was a bankrupt estate that had been empty for several years. He redeveloped it, built the hotel, and developed 18 residential apartments nearby, six of which we still own today.”

Currently, the company focuses on upgrading Matso’s Broome Brewery, a heritage-listed building. “The floor beneath the brewery needs reinforcement because it wasn’t originally designed to hold the capacity it does now,” Hart explains. “We secured a heritage grant to assist with this, and as part of the project, we’ll be rejuvenating the bar and interior spaces.”

While expansion remains a long-term goal, the company is taking a strategic pause this year to consolidate its operations. “We’ve decided not to acquire any new properties in 2025, instead focusing on maximizing our existing assets. We have a lot of underutilized land, and we’re exploring ways to develop it, including potential residential investments to diversify our portfolio.”

Hart also emphasizes the importance of streamlining internal operations. “We’ve invested in upgrading our IT systems to improve financial outcomes and guest experience. Our property management system now integrates across all businesses, allowing us to track and reward customers seamlessly. We’re also developing a customer loyalty program to provide exclusive benefits to our regular visitors.”

Putting people first

With a workforce ranging from 150 to 250 employees, depending on the season, Kimberley Accommodation Group strongly emphasizes staff engagement, retention, and overall well-being. “We’re a very staff-focused business,” says Managing Director Dannielle Hart. “Our service is only as good as the last staff member that served the last customer.”

The company’s flat hierarchy and family-style culture reflect this commitment to people. Despite the high turnover typical of the hospitality industry, Kimberley Accommodation Group has cultivated a loyal team, with many employees returning year after year. Hart credits this to the company’s ethos: work hard and have fun doing it. “Even my parents still know the names of most of our staff,” she shares. “We have long-term employees who feel like part of the family, and we do everything we can to create a supportive and engaging workplace.”

Many of the workforce consists of visa holders who live on-site. Kimberley Accommodation Group fosters a strong sense of community among its staff as part of its dedication to inclusivity and employee well-being. “Because a lot of our employees don’t have family close by, we focus on building a home away from home,” Hart explains. “We host social events, regular barbecues, and an annual staff appreciation day where we shut down the entire business so everyone can celebrate together.”

Kimberley Accommodation Group is also a proud participant in the PALM Scheme (formerly the Seasonal Worker Program), a government initiative that supports workers from Pacific Island nations. Having been part of the program’s pilot phase in 2012, the company has since welcomed many permanent and returning employees through this initiative. “It’s a fantastic program that allows us to provide stable employment opportunities while ensuring our team remains strong year after year,” Hart says.

Kimberley Accommodation Group has introduced an innovative performance management system that gathers real-time feedback on employee sentiment to enhance staff engagement further. “With our business spread across 1,100 kilometers, it can be challenging to stay in touch with everyone,” Hart notes. “This system will allow us to identify areas for improvement and ensure our workplace culture remains strong, no matter where our staff are located.”

Recognizing the challenges of seasonal employment, Kimberley Accommodation Group also invests in employee development through ongoing training programs and career advancement opportunities. “We want our employees to feel valued and see a future with us,” Hart says. “That’s why we encourage skill development and even sponsor some of our visa-holding staff for permanent residency.”

Sustainable hospitality

Kimberley Accommodation Group prioritizes environmental responsibility, implementing various sustainable initiatives across its properties. “We’ve retrofitted our venues with water-wise tap, shower, and toilet fittings, installed LED lighting, and implemented large-scale solar systems,” Hart explains. “At our largest locations- Kimberley Hotel, and Hotel Kununurra—we’ve also installed cardboard compactors to reduce waste.”

The company further minimizes its environmental footprint by using eco-friendly cleaning products, recycling waste cooking oil, and repurposing spent grain from its brewery for camel feed. Additionally, Kimberley Accommodation Group actively participates in the Containers for Change recycling program and donates used hotel furniture and linens to local charities and communities.

Supporting communities

Kimberley Accommodation is deeply integrated into the communities it serves. “We sponsor local sporting teams, support live music, and provide function spaces free of charge for community events,” Hart says. In remote areas like Halls Creek, where the company operates the only pub in town, these initiatives help foster a strong sense of community.

Creating memorable experiences

As Kimberley Accommodation moves into 2025, its focus is refining its operations and embracing new technologies. “Post-COVID, we experienced a surge in business, but now we’re ensuring we maximize the benefits of our recent investments,” Hart says. “We’re integrating our new property management and point-of-sale systems to streamline operations and enhance guest experiences.”

Despite the challenges of operating in remote regions, Kimberley Accommodation thrives by balancing family values with a forward-thinking approach. “Hospitality isn’t just about providing a service—it’s about contributing to the fabric of the community,” Hart concludes. “We’re passionate about creating memorable experiences for our guests and ensuring the livability of our towns. That’s what drives us every day.”

At a Glance

Who: Kimberley Accommodation Group

What: A family-owned business offering a range of accommodations and hospitality services across Broome, Halls Creek, Wyndham, and Kununurra in Western Australia.

Where: Kimberley region of Western Australia, including properties in Broome, Halls Creek, Wyndham, and Kununurra.

Website: www.kimberleyaccommodation.com.au

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