After more than 22 years owning and operating the Angourie Resort, the Mitchell family have handed over the reins to a new owner, NRMA Parks and Resorts.

NRMA Parks and Resorts Chief Executive Officer Paul Davies said the addition of the Angourie Resort to the portfolio had been a long-term goal for the member organisation in a holiday hot spot for members.

“Mark and I were big dreamers, and when this triangle piece of land, surrounded by rainforest, private and close to the sea came on the market in 2000, we saw its potential and were able to convince our six family shareholders to trust in our vision to create an upmarket eco-resort, with pool complex, restaurant and accommodation,” said Linda Mitchell.

Building quickly commenced, and the doors were open by December 2001.

Local architect Warren Flynn drew up the plans, and Mark with his brother Paul co-ordinated the build.

Local trades people including Steve Lokic, John Batchelador, Rob Young, Grub Brotherson, were all part of bringing the vision to fruition of the first stage which comprised of 34 Two Bedroom Villas, reception building, Pool complex, kids play area, conference rooms and concrete roadways.

A second stage completed in 2003, of a restaurant, Day Spa, large conferencing rooms and 32 spa apartments completed the dream.

All the family worked together for many years owning and operating Yamba Waters Caravan Park, Blue Dolphin Holiday Resort and Angourie Resort, bringing up children while living on site, and working as a team to establish these businesses as leaders in the Tourism industry.

In the last 10 years, Mark and Mathew Mitchell, have managed the Blue Dolphin Holiday Resort, leaving the helm of Angourie Resort to Linda Mitchell and her daughter Danielle Oppes.

Danielle started working at the Resort when she was just 15, completing a School based Tourism traineeship, giving her the grounding to later become the General Manager of the Resort.

Linda and Danielle have worked closely alongside each other to establish Angourie Resort as a premier tourism Resort on the North Coast.

“As my time at the resort has come to an end I would like to honour and wholeheartedly thank my wonderful daughter Danielle, who is an amazing businesswoman,” Linda said.

“She has watched, then walked this incredible 20 plus year journey with me.

“As General Manager, she has proved time and time again, good judgement, resilience and innovation.

“Her husband Adam has been her greatest support and confidant.

“I feel great appreciation for all my staff over the years at the Resort, and value each and every one of them with support and gratitude for the role they have played in contributing to the success of the business.

“Many of them have witnessed the highs and lows of what it takes to run a hospitality business.

“Fires, floods, global financial crashes and lockdown.

“We seem to have weathered them all.

“Thankfully the joys of weddings, births, conferences, reunions and celebrations have far outweighed those challenges.”

The family will continue to operate the very popular Blue Dolphin Resort, which they have owned for more than 30 years and built up to be a premier Lower Clarence tourist destination.

“Danielle and Mathew Mitchell will continue on with the management of the Blue Dolphin for the foreseeable future,” Mark Mitchell said.

This article appeared in the Clarence Valley Independent, 13 December 2023.