Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge will open its doors in 2026, marking a fresh chapter for an Aussie icon.
When Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley indefinitely closed its doors in 2023, devoted guests – and those who’d long dreamed of visiting – were left uncertain of its future. But now, in a huge moment of reverence for NSW tourism, the luxury property is finally set to reopen.
Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge is set to revitalise regional tourism in NSW.
Officially partnering on the multimillion-dollar project, Marriott International and the Emirates Group will launch Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge later this year. The property will become the first Ritz-Carlton Lodge in the world, signalling a new era for global luxury travel and revitalising the region’s tourism landscape.
Reflecting the shared values of both brands, Ritz-Carlton Lodges will all be designed as purpose-built sanctuaries immersed in nature. Each retreat will be carefully crafted to mirror its surroundings, balancing minimal environmental impact with a heightened sense of luxury, comfort and craftsmanship for guests.
What is changing?
Upon opening, Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge will feature 40 elegantly appointed suites, each with its own private pool and bespoke amenities. Beyond the guesthouses, design plans also reveal an arrival lounge and sitting room, signature restaurant, bar, wine room and world-renowned The Ritz-Carlton Spa.
The luxurious retreat will feature 40 design-led lodges.
The lodge has been carefully crafted to mirror its environmental surrounds.
Guests can look forward to soothing treatments at The Ritz-Carlton Spa.
Outside, a swimming pool, fitness centre, tennis courts and equestrian stables promise to keep guests happy. As part of its commitment to conservation, the property is also slated to feature a dedicated naturalist hub. Helmed by a resident expert, it will allow guests to join a curated program of immersive eco-adventures.
A new signature sleep-out experience will also be introduced – a guided overnight journey complete with stargazing, outdoor dining and fireside camping. Additional expert-led experiences specific to the lodge and its surrounds are expected to be announced as the build continues.
Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge will hero local produce in its signature restaurant.
“We’re honoured to collaborate with Emirates on this milestone development, which sees the world’s largest hotelier and the world’s largest international airline come together to reinvigorate the luxury tourism offering in New South Wales," says president of Marriott International Asia Pacific (excluding China), Rajeev Menon.
“Marking the brand’s lodge debut globally, Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge will be a major drawcard for our network of 260 million loyal Marriott Bonvoy members around the world, particularly with the upcoming plans in store for immersive experiences that connect them deeply to the local area – something our luxury travellers are increasingly prioritising."
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What is staying the same?
The Emirates Group has been consistent in its dedication to the property since it first opened as Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley back in 2009. Since then, the company has invested more than $150 million into its construction, maintenance and restoration, as well as the protection and conservation of its natural surrounds.
Emirates continued to maintain the site after its closure in 2023. (Image: Katie Carlin)
When multiple landslips led to the council closure of Wolgan Valley Road in 2023 – the only way to access the resort other than by air – Emirates stayed the course. With the support of a small team of local employees, it has quietly continued to maintain the site.
Emirates is currently investing a further $50 million into renovation efforts, working closely with Marriott to shape the property’s next chapter. Due to this tireless dedication, the lodge remains anchored in its original location – a 2832-hectare conservation reserve in the Greater Blue Mountains region. It will, however, occupy less than two per cent of this protected area.
Each private retreat is designed to frame the surrounding landscape.
This offers guests rare access to the landscape while carefully respecting the flora and fauna that call it home, from bare-nosed wombats to ancient Wollemi Pines. The metaphorical cherry on top? It could also reinstate up to 150 local jobs, providing a major economic boost to the community and expanding opportunities for regional suppliers and producers.
“We are proud of our long-term investment into the Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort. Our unwavering commitment to the resort leads us to today’s announcement of an exciting agreement with Marriott International to open the world’s first Ritz-Carlton Lodge," says president of Emirates Airline, Sir Tim Clark.
The Emirates Group and Marriott International will open the lodge later this year.
“For us, Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge will not only be an extraordinary resort appealing to discerning travellers seeking to be close to nature, but also a powerful engine for local economic growth, helping to rejuvenate the Wolgan Valley locality."
Entrance to the resort is now by four-wheel drive via the Donkey Steps, a steep access route used by cattle drovers in the 1860s. While it is part of the resort’s new rural off-road experience, guests wanting to avoid the steep incline can opt to arrive by air instead.
Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge is set to open mid-2026. The new lodge will complement the brand’s existing presence in Australia, including The Ritz-Carlton, Perth and The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne. Watch this space.
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Taylah Darnell is Australian Traveller's Writer & Producer. She has been passionate about writing since she learnt to read, spending many hours either lost in the pages of books or attempting to write her own. This life-long love of words inspired her to study a Bachelor of Communication majoring in Creative Writing at the University of Technology Sydney, where she completed two editorial internships. She began her full-time career in publishing at Ocean Media before scoring her dream job with Australian Traveller. Now as Writer & Producer, Taylah passionately works across both digital platforms and print titles. When she's not wielding a red pen over magazine proofs, you can find Taylah among the aisles of a second-hand bookshop, following a good nature trail or cheering on her EPL team at 3am. While she's keen to check out places like Scotland and North America, her favourite place to explore will always be her homeland.
See the Murray region in an entirely different light by exploring its night-time experiences and attractions.
By day, the mighty Murray River is a majestic and ever-changing sight, with river red gums and wetlands stretching along 2500 kilometres. But by night, its cities, towns, villages and landscapes totally transform.
From Albury Wodonga to Mildura, and everywhere in between, you’ll be in for a multi-sensory and memorable treat encompassing mesmerising light shows, guided ghost tours and vibrant celebrations that capture the nocturnal magic of the river.
This is no ordinary nighttime adventure; the region becomes an entirely different world when the sun sets. Discover six must-do activities along the Murray that can only be enjoyed after dark.
1. Share in ghostly tales
Hold on to your nerve when learning local ghost stories. (Credit: Campaspe Shire Council)
If you’re up for something a little more spine-tingling, Port After Dark in Echuca is your best bet. Rumour has it that the Port of Echuca Wharf and the buildings around it have long been home to lingering ghosts and mysterious events – like the vengeful woman said to haunt an old tramway bridge and spirits searching for stolen money through the town centre.
You can hear all about them on this guided lantern tour, which takes place on Wednesday and Saturday nights after dark. The stories are atmospheric and intriguing – you may even spot a ghost or two yourself. If you’d like a more intimate experience, private tours are also available to groups of 15 or more.
2. Wander art installations
See Bruce Munro’s immersive art installation. (Credit: Serena Munro)
Right near the Perry Sandhills, sits an experience that feels almost otherworldly. Artist Bruce Munro (of Uluru’s Field of Lights fame) has created a Fibre Optic Symphonic Orchestra, a network of 80 Hills Hoists illuminated with fibre optic light combined with the sounds of an orchestra. The clotheslines glow and pulse in time to the specially composed score, immersing you in a dreamscape of light and sound.
For a different light experience, you’ll find stillness at Trail of Lights, also curated by Munro. Located just 30 minutes away on Lock Island in Mildura, thousands of lights stretch over the landscape, spotlighting both the river and a series of Munro’s sculptures. The trail is intended to be a peaceful and meditative setting for wandering and reflecting.
3. Learn through lasers
Travel 30 million years into the Murray’s past at Heartbeat of the Murray. (Credit: Ewen Bell)
Discover a fascinating history in this dual act of lights and projections on the banks of the Little Murray River. Legends of the Mallee is a multimedia show in Swan Hill combining lasers and lights, which tells the story of the region’s rich past. Learn about the Wamba Wamba and Wadi Wadi Peoples who first inhabited the area, as well as the figures and events that shaped the Mallee of today.
The river steals the spotlight in the Heartbeat of the Murray, a multimedia spectacle inside the Pioneer Settlement encompassing lights, lasers, sound and special effects against the natural backdrop. Through a sequence of large-scale animated projections, you’ll go back 30 million years to explore the Murray River’s formation before travelling to the present to learn how it supports modern communities.
4. Light up the lake
Watch the lights and lasers of Lake Mulwala. (Credit: Mulwala Water Ski Club)
Travelling with kids? Head to Yarrawonga Mulwala and nearby Lake Mulwala for the family-friendly Laser Light & Sound Show. Lights and lasers are projected over the lake and onto curtains of fog, creating a colourful and high-energy visual display. The show suits all ages and tastes, set to a mix of songs that everyone knows and loves.
You can take in the spectacle from either the grassy banks of the lake or book a table at the Mulwala Water Ski Club’s Malibu Deck Cafe, serving pub-style food and refreshing drinks, including excellent classic cocktails. If you’re watching from the foreshore, the show is entirely free, making it a great budget-friendly option.
5. Be captivated by local culture
Soak in the culture of the Bangerang People. (Credit: Laser Vision)
Set aside an evening to explore Bullanginya Dreaming in Cobram Barooga – you’ll want ample time to take in the stories and symbolism of this immersive laser light and sound trail. The 1.8-kilometre trail explores the storytelling and culture of the Bangerang People, who have long cared for the lands around Bullanginya Lagoon in Barooga. The trail features 12 activations – each telling a different story – and combines dramatic lights and lasers with water and fire.
Intertwined with the visual displays are Bangerang narratives, giving you meaningful insight into the area’s Indigenous heritage. It’s designed to be explored over 90 or so minutes, encouraging you to move slowly and thoughtfully.
6. Discover a winter glow
See the streets of Albury Wodonga come to life after dark. (Credit: Visit Albury Wodonga)
Albury Wodonga comes alive as the weather drops, with an annual celebration of the season on Saturday, 15 August. WinterGlow takes over the CBD and features a vibrant program of things to see, do, learn, eat and drink.
Take part in hands-on workshops that let you try different art forms and crafts. Feast on street food and winter warmers from local eateries. Browse for artisan wares at the night markets. Watch musical acts on the main stage. Or get involved in different activations, including a silent disco and giant maze. Artificial snow will be falling to add to the festive atmosphere.
Even wandering the streets and laneways and soaking up the late-night energy will leave you feeling enchanted.
