A new era for Western Sydney: Cabravale Club Resort opens with a spectacular celebration

Western Sydney has officially welcomed a landmark like no other. Cabravale Club Resort has opened its doors with a spectacular celebration that drew thousands of locals and visitors—marking the unveiling of Australia’s first integrated club resort and signalling a bold new chapter for the region’s hospitality, tourism and entertainment landscape.

The launch was a full-day festival of colour and culture, featuring traditional lion dancers, immersive performers, an international saxophone act, live music, a dazzling drone display and fireworks that lit up the Cabramatta skyline. Among the highlights was a special appearance by Guy and Jules Sebastian, who spoke about the life-changing work of The Sebastian Foundation before Guy treated the crowd to an impromptu performance including his hit Battle Scars.

A century-old club reinvents itself

The opening marks the culmination of a major multi-year transformation that has reimagined the century-old Cabra-Vale Diggers into Western Sydney’s premier destination for dining, entertainment, accommodation and events.

Festivities began with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony led by The Hon David Harris MP, Tri Vo MP and David Borger of Business Western Sydney, joined by Club leadership, dignitaries and community guests. NSW Premier Chris Minns also shared a video message, acknowledging the Club’s deep community roots.

“For more than a century, this Club has been a cornerstone of the community… It’s wonderful to see this new resort officially open its doors, and I congratulate everyone involved in bringing this vision to life,” the Premier said.

What followed was a symbolic ushering-in of the new era, with drums, dry fireworks and eight dancing lions leading guests into a resort-wide celebration.

A new benchmark for the west

Boris Belevski, Chief Executive Officer of Cabravale Club Resort, said the opening represents more than the completion of a development—it’s a milestone for the region.

“This opening is more than a milestone – it’s a moment of pride for Western Sydney. Cabravale Club Resort represents a new era for our community: a place where people can stay, play and celebrate, right here in the west,” he said.

“We’re showcasing what this region is capable of—ambition, energy and heart—and setting a new benchmark for hospitality in Australia.”

The launch follows the Club’s 100-year anniversary in July, celebrated with the unveiling of its new name and brand. For President Walter Robinson OAM, the moment was both reflective and forward-looking.

“Our founders were twenty returned servicemen who built this Club on values of service, courage and community,” he said. “Those values remain at the heart of Cabravale Club Resort. We’ve honoured our past while building a future the whole of Western Sydney can be proud of.”

What guests can expect

Located in the heart of Cabramatta, the new Cabravale Club Resort brings together an impressive suite of hospitality, accommodation and entertainment experiences, including:

• Novotel Sydney Cabramatta – a 140-room hotel with a resort-style pool, gym and event spaces

• Signature dining – including Magma by acclaimed chef-owner Dany Karam, Bistro 1925, District 8, Horizon Asian Dining and Poppy Café

• Cabravale Event & Conference Centre – one of Western Sydney’s largest venues, with a 600-seat centre already scheduled to open

• Immersive entertainment and performances designed to keep locals and visitors returning

The launch also strengthens the Club’s commitment to community support through Cabravale Community, backing local programs and national partners such as The Sebastian Foundation’s Open Parachute youth mental health initiative.

“Western Sydney’s time”

Vicki Le, Chief Commercial Officer, said the resort represents a shift in how the region experiences hospitality and entertainment.

“This is Western Sydney’s time. For too long, people have felt they had to go into the city for a great night out,” she said. “Cabravale Club Resort changes that. We’re keeping people in the west, building tourism, and giving locals and visitors a world-class experience right here at home.”

What’s next

The opening marks the first phase of the Club’s long-term masterplan. More developments are already underway, including additional dining venues, a new café, and a major convention centre capable of hosting up to 1000 guests—set to position Cabravale Club Resort among Western Sydney’s largest and most versatile event destinations.

From its humble beginnings in a repurposed army hut in 1925 to a world-class resort a century later, Cabravale Club Resort now stands as a symbol of Western Sydney’s resilience, diversity and ambition.