"A Wargamer's Holiday Centre for Australia?" Topic

Hi Guys
Do you think a Wargamer's Holiday Centre would be financially viable here in Australia?
I'm considering Buying a 'Bed and Breakfast' in Rural Victoria (about 1.5 hours north east of Melbourne) in the vicinity of Kinglake and running it as "Wargamer's Retreat as well as a traditional B&B.
I think there is a niche that could be filled.

Financial viability of a small business – actually any business – is all about covering your costs and generating cash flow. If you can get this business up and running with minimal or no debt to service then the only cash flow you have to generate is to cover operating expenses rather than pay off the capital. Thats a big difference in viability.

No. You guys are my whole world to me, but we are a very niche group. In a city of several million, there are only a handful of retail outlets.
Go for the ridiculously over priced, "champagne and chocolate on arrival" market.
The niche care you give to us wargamers is wasted, we skimp on buying terrain, preferring to scrounge the bins and rejected Christmas trees for required raw materials.
Good luck.
(Opinion offered as a wargamer, who reads the scenario objectives, no claim to financial knowledge made.)

I know another wargamer who bought a bed and breakfast with his wife. His advice to me was 'be careful what you wish for'.

Not a chance. Start up costs for just a b&b on its own are high. And the size of the potential market is miniscule.

I love the concept, but anyone here telling you it can work is talking out there rear.

Australians are a less dedicated breed of wargamer than our North American and European peers.

I'd be there. Kinglake is only an hour away….you plan some games of Maurice and the like….I'll be playing.

I reluctantly join the Grinch-mob.

Could I suggest you work out a business plan & then take it to your bank? They might see success where I see only heart-break.

Honestly mate, a bad idea financially. Just look how much Aussie wargamers bitch and moan when you lay on a good looking, well organised game for them for free! Can you imagine the grousing if they had to put their hands in their pockets too?

A great idea, but quite hard to make work practically! Not sure it would really be a success here, the tyranny of distance, smaller population base to work with etc. But with a good deal of research and a sound business plan who knows!

I would love it and visit – did so when I was living in the UK.

BUT, I would struggle to see how it could be financially viable. Depending on what sort of returrn you would need from it, you'd need to be able get say 4 – 6 there per week. 200-300 per year. Don't think we have that many here who would pay. And many would need to add the cost of travel.

Distance and population suggest not a prayer in hell. It may be an hour and a bit from Melbourne, but do the sums in driving time from Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane etc. For a weekend? Not going to happen. And assume that partners are accompanying – what's in it for them locally? Nice idea, wrong place (and I would say the same thing if you were thinking of putting it outside Canberra, or in the Blue Mountains, etc). As others have suggested, market dictates that this won't fly in this country.

How is it financially viable?
It's run as a B&B for starters,..

… running it as "Wargamer's Retreat as well as a traditional B&B.

The 'Wargaming retreat' is an adjunct to the B&B NOT the reason for existence.
The B&B is the money maker.
Still considering.
The B&B is viable as there is only one B&B in Kinglake and its a growing tourist destination.
We shall see.

Run away screaming from any sort of B&B, Accommodation or Restaurant business. You get to work 20+ hours a day, 7 days a week for stuff all. And no holidays.

I have had several relatives and acquaintances who tried the business and all eventually had to toss it in because it was destroying them mentally, physically and sometimes financially.

Run away screaming from any sort of B&B, Accommodation or Restaurant business. You get to work 20+ hours a day, 7 days a week for stuff all. And no holidays.

I have had several relatives and acquaintances who tried the business and all eventually had to toss it in because it was destroying them mentally, physically and sometimes financially.

and yet they exist.
B&Bs are run on the owners terms.
I don't need the income it would / might generate.
Holidays?
I can take them whenever I want.
I lose revenue from the B&B,… "meh", I'm already financially independent.
The financial aspect isn't an issue,… just gravy.
So my 'security' doesn't hinge on the B&B.
It's simply an extra revenue stream
After 33 years in the Army I doubt having a strong work ethic of 'Mental or Physical toughness is an issue either.
I want a country property and have a nice one lined up.
Plenty for partners to do IF ( i say IF) a wargamer came for the one weekend every one or two months I'd host a WARGAME weekend.
Wine tasting, day spars, etc.
Still just a thought however

I'm in the UK so my opinion doesn't really count. But I would say go for it, if you're opening a b&b anyway. Have a nice big shed/outhouse for gaming, use free methods of advertising it as a gaming place and the usual ways of advertising it as a normal b&b. If no one comes specifically for gaming, so what. You've got a good gaming place, and you might even be able to convert a few of the normal people who come to stay.

Agree with Foxweasel. I'm from Canberra, visit Melbourne from time to time and would be interested in the occasional Wargamers' Weekend.

Not in bushfire season and a plea for dog friendly accommodation please.

When I worked on the Stayz.com.au product I got a glimpse of the dynamics of the B&B market in Australia. There is a lot of turnover, indicating a lot of owners don't exactly succeed.

Not in bushfire season and a plea for dog friendly accommodation please.

Great idea.
Its sitting of two beautiful acres
No reason why I couldn't have a dog run there. Would need looking into.
I guess I should have made it clear that as a 'Financial venture' there is actually no financial risk.
The property is essentially a family home, with the cottage being used as a B&B to generate addition 'surplus' revenue. Gravy essentially.
No need for me to 'bust a gut' running it.
That's not to say it wouldn't be of excellent quality and welcoming.
Either way I'm intending to purchase the property for the solitude and environment / surroundings.

Basically,.. What Foxweasel said

I would be interested.

@ Trailape.

You already own the property? And it won't be your primary income source?
That changes everything. I'm not sure you'll slide into a Donald Trump billionaire's life but with this low risk what have you got to lose? Worst comes to worst, you got a tax write-off 87))

Keep us posted on the place if you go ahead. You should be able to drum up some business on TMP. It's not impossible that I will see you over a wargame there one day.

Self catering country chalet rather than B&B would make it much easier on you and your better half.

Nice area and good luck if you decide to go down that track.

I agree with poiter50. From my own personal opinion, a self-catered accommodation on airbnb would be a much more attractive proposition as a holiday. …maybe this is just b/c I can't stand B&B's, i.e I'm not very sociable when it comes to talking to owners and other B&Bers over breakfast in the morning.

Kinglake is absolutely gorgeous, especially at this time of the year. There are bushfires to consider, I guess, particularly in context of Black Saturday. BUT, I hear the local council (Eltham?)and State gov are pretty strict about foliage/vegetation on properties now.

In terms of wargaming, I reckon treat it – like you say – as 'gravy' or 'extras'. Maybe promote to local wargaming clubs down in Melb. I know my little group have been looking for a place to hold a wargaming weekend every year. Kinglake accom would be ideal – and an owner who could provide tables and come and play with us would be… gravy. ;)

The venue would need to have some wow factor to attract the wargame punters, besides escaping work/family/ whatever, what does the venue offer that the average punter can't do at home or at a club venue.

You'll need at least one large room with lotsa space which might mean building it yourself unless you get lucky and find some old hall or industrial space to refit.

Good luck

David F Brown

The venue would need to have some wow factor to attract the wargame punters, besides escaping work/family/ whatever, what does the venue offer that the average punter can't do at home or at a club venue.

You'll need at least one large room with lotsa space which might mean building it yourself unless you get lucky and find some old hall or industrial space to refit.

Good luck

Indeed.
That's why Kinglake was selected.
Wine tasting
Spectacular countryside
Horses trails
Bushwalking
A snow field nearby
Why wife is a runner up in the Miss Pinup Australia and could / will run 'makeovers' for partners
Excellent local produce / food.
The property has a cottage that will be able to (eventually). Accomodate 4-6 adults or two couples plus a considerably larger gaming room.
We've considered partners / families.
It's not a certain but we have a plan that is viable.

Oh, and magnificent terrain and quality gaming miniatures professionally painted with a view to refighting historic engagements over a large historical span.

Well if its not a case of the wargaming having to make a profit, then whats not to like! Good luck if you decide to go ahead!

(And you never know the psychology of wargamers – maybe having to fork over some cash might make them more appreciative!)

Could I suggest that the wargaming take place in the off season? That way it adds to your business instead being relied apon to be the main money spinner.

I would try to get there for an event at least once a year…..love the idea

Could I suggest that the wargaming take place in the off season? That way it adds to your business instead being relied apon to be the main money spinner

interesting and useful tip

Hmmm, count me in for a trip, if there is no financial risk it sounds like a winner, I agree with the self service idea, then you only have to clean after the stay rather than look after the guests, less stress/work, maybe have a stocked pantry that guests could purchase their groceries from, always handy to have food stored away.

Id be definitely up for it Mate …and im only an hour away in Northern Melbourne. Good location for a BnB in a growth area for the concept … since Black Saturday there has been substantial interest in the area and promoting it.