Federal Hotels Ltd began in Victoria in 1885 and is the world’s second oldest hotel group. Chairman of Federal Hotels Ltd in 1969, Mr Greg Farrell Snr, was a man of vision and in that year purchased the Wrest Point Riviera Hotel on Hobart’s River Derwent. Mr Farrell Snr’s dream was for Wrest Point Riviera Hotel to become Australia’s first legal casino - a dream that materialised with the opening of Wrest Point Hotel Casino in 1973.
Federal Hotels Ltd, now known as the
Federal Group, is today a diverse, multi award winning privately owned company, run by Greg Farrell Snr’s five children, with Greg Farrell Jnr (pictured) the Managing Director. The company has expanded significantly in the past 38 years, with the opening of Country Club Tasmania, creation of the Vantage Hotel Group and Network Gaming, and the evolution of an inspiring statewide tourism brand, Pure Tasmania.
At iconic destinations, Pure Tasmania unites Tasmania’s most unforgettable experiences and finest accommodation; Freycinet Lodge, Strahan Village, Cradle Mountain Chateau, and the internationally acclaimed Henry Jones Art Hotel. Opened in June 2010, the jewel of Tasmania, Saffire Freycinet, heralds a new level of luxury in Tasmania and is a defining milestone in the evolution of Pure Tasmania.
Beyond fine accommodation, Pure Tasmania delivers a multi-sensory travel experience, with a focus on fine local cuisine plus world-class experiences like Gordon River Cruises, West Coast Wilderness Railway, The Bonnet Island Experience and the Cradle Mountain Wilderness Gallery, incorporating the Tasmanian Tiger Exhibition.
With its origins - and its future - firmly established in tourism, hospitality and entertainment, the Federal Group is one of Australia’s most dynamic companies and is Tasmania’s largest private sector employer. The Federal Group enjoys an enviable reputation and is an organisation that values a culture of mutual commitment built on strong
core values.
The Federal Group has a long history of generously supporting a wide range of organisations, including community groups, sporting clubs, charitable causes, the arts and major events. The nature of this support includes sponsorship, donations and philanthropic giving.
A successful and widely respected Australian owned family company, the Federal Group’s commitment to Tasmania, and to its employees, now spans five decades.