The Collaroy Centre

What The Collaroy Centre does

The Collaroy Centre is a camp, conference, and outdoor activity venue operated by The Salvation Army Australia on a 10-hectare bushland site at Collaroy Beach on Sydney's Northern Beaches in NSW. The site has functioned as a Salvation Army campsite since 1906 and was formalised as The Collaroy Centre in 1988, giving the operation 38+ years of continuous institutional history. Capacity totals approximately 440 guests, comprising cabins for 380+ and 30 hotel rooms providing 60 beds, supported by on-site dining facilities.

The Centre's product set spans multi-day school camps with full catering and accommodation, corporate conferences and retreats, birthday parties, sporting-team bookings, community-group stays, and short-term accommodation. It recently discontinued its long-running Duke of Edinburgh Award expedition program, narrowing its vertical mix toward retreats, conferences, accommodation, and consumer events. Revenue is generated through per-person package pricing on camps and conferences, event-based pricing for parties, and separate accommodation and dining line items. Customer segments include NSW schools, churches and youth groups, corporate clients, sporting teams, and community organisations, with evidence of multi-year repeat bookings from named institutional clients.

The business is privately operated by The Salvation Army Australia as a not-for-profit community asset. It employs 100+ staff across hospitality, outdoor education, catering, and program delivery, and has invested in sustainability infrastructure (a solar tennis court roof project) and digital marketing channels. Pricing is event- and package-based rather than subscription or SaaS, and the Centre does not disclose technology platform details beyond standard hospitality booking infrastructure.

Name

The Collaroy Centre

Legal name

The Collaroy Centre

Website

https://collaroycentre.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Collaroy Centre is a Salvation Army-owned camp, conference, and outdoor activity venue on 10 hectares of bushland at Collaroy Beach on Sydney's Northern Beaches, serving NSW schools, churches, corporate groups, sporting teams, and community organisations through multi-day camp programs, conferences, and events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outdoor Education and Hospitality Venue Services

NAICS

Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Adventure Base Camps (Trek/Climb/Expedition Camps) (THAGAOAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Adventure/Outdoor Base Hostels (Ski/Surf/Trek) (THAGAGAG), Ropes Courses & High/Low Challenge Courses (THAAACAB), Climbing & Mountaineering Gyms/Guides (Indoor, Outdoor, Via Ferrata) (THAAAKAG)

Keywords

• Camp facilities
• Conference venues
• Outdoor education
• School camps
• Group accommodation

Headquarters

HQ city

Collaroy Beach

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Accommodation Packages with Catering: All-inclusive packages bundling accommodation (cabins or hotel rooms), three main meals plus morning/afternoon tea and supper. Cabin accommodation hosts groups in bunk rooms with ensuite bathrooms; hotel rooms offer two king single beds with ensuite and balcony.
2. Camps - Standard and Fully Programmed: Standard Camp allows groups to design their own schedule using facilities and activities. Fully Programmed Camp provides structured itinerary with activities and meals facilitated by experienced staff. Both include accommodation and dining.
3. Birthday Party Packages: Fixed-price party packages: $550 for 3 hours, 15 participants, choice of two outdoor activities, two party hosts. Additional participants $25 per child.
4. Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Expeditions: Adventurous journey expeditions for Bronze, Silver, Gold levels with practice and qualifying hikes. Pricing varies by level ($325-$595 before June 2025, $330-$600 after) plus optional equipment hire for backpacks, tents, and cooking stoves.
5. Conference and Retreat Venue Hire: Modern facilities including conference room (270 capacity), auditorium (400 capacity), seminar rooms, lecture theatre (138 capacity), sanctuary (200 capacity), and outdoor amphitheatre. All AV-equipped.
6. Activity Add-ons and Dining Upgrades: Optional adventure activities, team-building exercises, movie nights, and upgraded/customized menu options available at additional cost for an enhanced experience.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Collaroy Centre is a purpose-built camp, conference and outdoor activity venue on Sydney's Northern Beaches, offering integrated packages of accommodation (cabin bunk rooms and hotel rooms for up to 440 guests), AV-equipped meeting spaces, full catering, and supervised adventure activities (high ropes, abseiling, laser tag, archery, giant swing, etc.). Its core offerings include Standard and Fully Programmed Camps for schools and youth groups, Conference and Retreat venue hire, Birthday Party packages, and Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journey expeditions.

Product overview

The Collaroy Centre offers a unified hospitality and outdoor education experience combining accommodation, venue hire, dining, and adventure activities. The core product portfolio includes Standard and Fully Programmed Camps for school, church, and youth groups; Birthday Party Packages for children's celebrations; Conferences & Retreats Packages for corporate and community events; and Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journeys. Accommodation offerings consist of five Cabin blocks (380+ capacity) with bunk rooms and deluxe options, plus 30 Hotel rooms (60 capacity). Meeting & Event Facilities provide AV-equipped spaces ranging from intimate seminar rooms (15-60 capacity) to an Auditorium (400 capacity). Adventure Activities encompass 15+ on-site options including high-ropes, climbing, and laser tag, plus offsite beach activities. Dining services include all meals with dietary accommodation. All packages include access to recreational facilities including the oval, amphitheatre, and outdoor spaces.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Duke of Ed: The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award program offered at The Collaroy Centre, including adventurous journey expeditions for Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels.

Products and services

• Standard Camp Self-directed camp option that allows school, church, and community groups to design and control their own schedule using the Centre's facilities, supervised outdoor activities, and resources.
• Fully Programmed Camp Structured camp experience designed and facilitated by the Centre's experienced team, including accommodation, meals, meeting/breakout rooms, and a full schedule of programmed activities including night sessions.
• Birthday Party Package Three-hour, fully supervised outdoor adventure party for up to 15 participants (minimum age 7; harness activities age 8+), including choice of two activities and two party hosts. Priced at $550 flat with $25 per additional participant.
• Conferences & Retreats Packages Venue hire packages for corporate and community conferences and retreats, combining accommodation, meals, and AV-equipped meeting spaces (auditorium 400, conference room 270, sanctuary 200, lecture theatre 138, seminar rooms) with optional team-building activities.
• Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journeys Ecopass-certified licensed expeditions for the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award at Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Gold Kosciuszko levels, including practice and qualifying journeys with qualified guides, training, assessment, and optional equipment hire.
• Cabin Accommodation Five cabin blocks with bunk rooms accommodating 6-8 guests per room and deluxe triple-share rooms, each with ensuites and air conditioning; total cabin capacity over 380 guests.
• Hotel Accommodation 30 hotel rooms with two king single beds each, ensuite bathrooms, LCD TVs, balconies (some with ocean views), tea/coffee facilities, linen and toiletries; total capacity 60 guests.
• Meeting & Event Facilities AV-equipped meeting and event spaces including Auditorium (400 capacity), Conference Room (270), Sanctuary (200), Lecture Theatre (138), Garden Room (60), and three Seminar Rooms (60/30/15 capacity), with flexible layouts.
• Adventure Activities On-site outdoor adventure activities including Abseiling, Archery, Challenge Course, Drop Pole, Flying Fox, Giant Swing, High Ropes, Initiative Course, Laser Tag, Rock Climbing, Vertical Challenge, and team-building exercises.
• Dining & Catering On-site catering offering freshly prepared meals including breakfast, lunch, dinner, morning and afternoon tea, accommodating vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and allergy requirements. Kitchen achieved 5-star 'Scores on Doors' food safety rating.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5-star 'Scores on Doors' food safety rating achieved by kitchen operations
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Salvation Army AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Collaroy Centre is owned and operated by The Salvation Army Australia. The Centre sits on land gifted by Elizabeth Jenkins over a century ago. The Salvation Army aims to continue impacting lives by growing and valuing people, running and investing in mission programs alongside hosting camps, birthday parties, conferences, and retreats.
• Prokayaks NarrabeenminorOthersExternal provider arranged by The Collaroy Centre for offsite kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) activities at Narrabeen Lakes. Prokayaks provides qualified and friendly staff, single and double kayaks, and equipment suitable for groups of various sizes and abilities in a safe, protected environment.
• Manly Surf SchoolminorOthersExternal provider arranged by The Collaroy Centre for 'Learn to Surf' activities. Professional surfers conduct sessions at Collaroy or Long Reef Beach depending on conditions.
• Duke of Edinburgh's International Award - AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Collaroy Centre has been involved in the Adventurous Journey component of The Duke of Edinburgh for over 15 years, coordinating over 300 hikes for approximately 2,000 students. They are a licensed provider with Ecopass certification, offering practice and qualifying expeditions for Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Gold Kosciuszko levels.
• Warringah CouncilminorOthersLocal council through which The Collaroy Centre arranges lifeguard services for beach activities at Collaroy Beach on behalf of visiting groups.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Teen Ranch: Faith-based youth camp operator in NSW/QLD offering adventure activities and accommodation for school and church groups. Comparable mission-driven camp operator in the same market.
• Galston Outdoor Recreation Centre: NSW school camp facility offering adventure activities, accommodation, and outdoor education programs for primary and secondary schools. Most direct peer in the Sydney school camp market.
• QCCC (Queensland Conference & Camping Centres): Multi-site Queensland operator providing camp accommodation, conference facilities, and outdoor activities for schools, churches, and corporate groups. Closest scaled comparables for the Camp + Conference model.
• TreeTop Adventure Park: NSW-based network of high ropes, zipline, and aerial adventure parks. Directly overlaps with Collaroy's Adventure Tower, high ropes course, and Flying Fox offerings for school holiday programs and team-building in the same Sydney catchment.
• CYC Camps (NSW): Sydney-based youth camp organisation running outdoor adventure programs and group accommodation. Comparable primary customer base (school and youth groups) and NSW geography.
• Sydney Olympic Park Lodge: Group-oriented accommodation and meeting venue in western Sydney targeting school camps, sporting groups, and conferences. Competes for the same group accommodation and event bookings in greater Sydney.
• Wesley Conference & Retreat Centre: Sydney-based faith-affiliated conference and retreat venue with meeting spaces and group accommodation. Directly competes for church, school, and community group bookings in the same Sydney geography.
• Crosslands Conference & Retreat Centre: Christian-affiliated camp and conference venue near Galston in northern Sydney. Directly comparable model combining accommodation, catering, meeting spaces, and activity programming for schools, churches, and community groups.
• Adrenaline X Australia: Mobile adventure activity provider running abseiling, climbing, ropes, and team-building programs across NSW schools and corporates. Direct overlap with Collaroy's adventure activities offering.

Regional players

• Tops Adventure Park: Outdoor amusement and adventure park operator offering high ropes, mini golf, and family activities. Comparable for consumer birthday party and weekend family activations in the broader NSW market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/thecollaroycentre
• Instagraminstagram.com/thecollaroycentre
• Xx.com/CollaroyCentre
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-collaroy-centre

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Collaroy Centre