Scenic World is an iconic Australian tourist attraction in the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains near Sydney, which welcomes over 1 million visitors a year. Previously the site of a coal mine, Scenic World was established in 1945 by local entrepreneur, Harry Hammon, and for three generations, Scenic World has remained owned and operated by the Hammon family. We spoke with Anthea Hammon, one of five siblings and the current Managing Director of the Hammons Holdings Group, to learn more about the family business, their growth, and her insights for other family businesses.
Tell us about your business?
Scenic World is an iconic Australian tourist attraction in the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains near Sydney, which welcomes over 1 million visitors a year. Scenic World is home to the world’s steepest railway, the Scenic Railway; the steepest cable car in the Southern Hemisphere, the Scenic Cableway; the first cable car in Australia, the Scenic Skyway; and the longest elevated boardwalk in Australia.
Among its other accolades, Scenic World is recognised in Ecotourism Australia’s Hall of Fame for being certified an Advanced Tourism attraction for 20 years and is certified carbon neutral for its services as a tourist attraction. Scenic World is also Australia’s most visited privately-owned tourism attraction and one of the largest employers in the Blue Mountains.
Previously the site of a coal mine, Scenic World was established in 1945 by local entrepreneur, Harry Hammon. For three generations, Scenic World has remained owned and operated by the Hammon family. Anthea Hammon, one of five siblings, is the current Managing Director and her brother, David Hammon is CEO of the Hammons Holdings Group. Hammons Holdings have a Board of Directors with two non-executive directors and three family members, as well as a Family Council. Hammons Holdings also operates BridgeClimb where there is a non-family CEO, Deb Zimmer.
What has been your greatest success?
Our greatest success is that as a family we have grown together alongside the business. Although we have family council meetings - and mum and dad are always there and supportive - we have transitioned to a place where the five of us siblings will pull together, work through challenges and support each other through life’s difficulties.
Why did you choose to join FBA?
We joined Family Business Association to get advice about how to set up our business for the future. We were transitioning from second generation leadership - when my father, Phil Hammon was at the helm - to third generation leadership as siblings and wanted to make sure we got it right.
What advice would you give to other family businesses?
Every family business has their own journey, but over the years I have seen that they all have a few things in common. One of these is the need to have courageous conversations to create change. I would recommend that families commit to having these difficult conversations (with help from a facilitator if needed) so there is transparency and respectful honesty, which ultimately helps families and the family business thrive.
The Family Business Conference 2025: Asia-Pacific
As part of FBA's Family Business Conference 2025, we will also be having a site visit at Scenic World as our very first activity. Get an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at Scenic World’s operations in the Blue Mountains and hear directly from the Hammon family about their unique challenges and successes! You will also have free time after to explore the surrounds and experience the 3 activations on site (Scenic Railway, Scenic Skyway and Scenic Cableway).
Learn more about the site visit at Scenic World
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