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A new 9-suite luxury lodge with plunge pools is coming to Uluṟu

Taylah Darnell Taylah Darnell
Front-row views have never looked so magical.

One of Australia’s most iconic landscapes is set to gain another extraordinary vantage point, as Beckons reveals plans for an exclusive new stay on the edge of Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park. Expected to open in early 2028, it’ll be the closest luxury property to Uluṟu yet, pairing its enviable location with the jaw-dropping views to match.

The stay

Launched in March of 2026, Beckons unites a handpicked collection of existing luxury lodges with a growing pipeline of future developments across the globe. Formed through the merger of previously independent brands Baillie Lodges and Tierra Hotels, it now oversees some of Australia’s most exclusive stays.

New luxury lodge by Beckons coming to Uluru, NT
An exclusive new lodge is coming to Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park in 2028.

The newly announced lodge in the Northern Territory marks the first new build for Beckons, joining a portfolio that includes Southern Ocean Lodge, nearby Longitude 131° and Capella Lodge on Lord Howe Island, as well as Huka Lodge in New Zealand and Chile’s Tierra Patagonia.

Built in consultation with Traditional Custodians, it will feature just nine guestrooms – eight Desert Suites and one Desert Pavilion – for an intimate and highly personalised experience. Once open, the property will be the closest of its kind to Uluṟu, offering uninterrupted views from a completely new perspective.

Designed by JAWS Architects, the lodge sits low among the dunes adjacent to the national park, with an architectural approach that treads lightly on Country. Colour palettes, tones, textures and materials are all inspired by the Red Centre, further immersing guests in the surrounding landscape.

Longitude 131° in the Northern Territory
Beckons is responsible for many of Australia’s luxury lodges, including Longitude 131°. (Credit: George Apostolidis)

Inside, communal spaces include a restaurant, bar and lounge, while suites will feature a private plunge pool and outdoor day beds. Due to its position among one of the country’s best stargazing locations, Beckons will also provide each guestroom with a luxury swag for private celestial viewing.

The setting

Located roughly 450 kilometres south-west of Alice Springs, Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park spans more than 130,000 hectares across the Northern Territory. The protected area is home to a host of natural wonders, including Kata Tjuṯa (The Olgas), Mutitjulu Waterhole and of course, Uluṟu, an ancient sandstone monolith estimated to be over 500 million years old.

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, NT
The landscape carries an enduring sense of magic. (Credit: Tourism NT/Lola and Jira/Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park)

Long considered a bucket-list destination for both Aussie and international travellers, there’s no shortage of ways to experience this iconic landscape. From scenic helicopter flights and intimate sunset dinners to a new multi-day guided hike, visitors can admire the site from almost every angle.

But while the location is spectacular, it also demands profound responsibility and respect. Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park is a deeply sacred place for the Aṉangu people, the land’s Traditional Owners. More than just a landmark, it’s a living cultural landscape that is intrinsically connected to Tjukurpa (Aṉangu law), ancestral stories and daily life.

Uluṟu Kata Tjuṯa Signature Walk, NT
Gain a new perspective on the multi-day Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa Signature Walk. (Credit: Michael Peters)

Recognising this significance, Beckons has been working in close consultation with Traditional Custodians, conducting ecological, heritage and sacred site assessments ahead of construction. According to Beckon’s chief executive officer, Michael Crawford, it’s a collaboration that will extend well beyond the build.

“One of the world’s most powerful and spiritually significant landscapes, Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa is an extraordinary place to deepen our presence in Australia and grow our global footprint," says Crawford.

“At Beckons, the most memorable journeys create a genuine connection to place. Here, that means personally guided experiences that reveal the ancient stories of Country and sky, and the living heritage of this remarkable landscape."

New luxury lodge by Beckons coming to Uluru, NT
Each suite will feature First Nations art, a private plunge pool and unrivalled views across the landscape.

Artwork commissioned from First Nations artists will feature heavily throughout the property, while ongoing partnerships with local arts centres encourage meaningful cultural exchange. Beyond the lodge, expert guides will lead outdoor activities like walks and hikes, sharing stories of Country and community along the way.

As construction timelines finalise, prospective guests can expect more details to emerge over the coming months, including the lodge’s official name and opening date. In the meantime, it might be worth keeping the first half of 2028 free.

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Taylah Darnell
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.
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Discovering East Arnhem: Australia’s most unique and rewarding corner

    Joanne Millares Joanne Millares
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    Hard to reach and harder to forget, East Arnhem offers something rare in modern travel: the chance to slow down and experience Country on its own terms.

    The sky feels bigger in East Arnhem. It stretches wide and uninterrupted above rouged earth, stringybark woodland and beaches so empty they seem to belong to another era. The coastline curves for kilometres without a footprint and the horizon runs on forever.

    For comedian Lou Wall, the scale of the place was the first thing that hit them.

    “The sheer openness,” they say. “The sky feels infinite and the land stretches out endlessly. It’s pretty breathtaking visually.”

    But the physical landscape is only part of the story. The real reward isn’t only the scenery but the shift in perspective the journey brings. Visitors stop trying to tick off the destination and a real engagement takes over.

    “It made me never want to travel again,” Wall jokes. “In that I never wanted to leave East Arnhem.”

    Getting there

    Aerial shot of East Arnhem’s coastline as cars trace the curve of the shore.
    Sail along the remote coastline on an expedition cruise.

    Reaching East Arnhem is part of the adventure. Travellers typically fly into Gove Airport near Nhulunbuy via Darwin or Cairns, or arrive by expedition cruise along the remote coastline. Others make the journey overland along rutted dirt roads that cut through East Arnhem’s small pockets of monsoon forest.

    However you arrive, there’s a distinct feeling of crossing into somewhere different. Permits are required to visit the region, reflecting the fact that this is Yolŋu land where communities and traditional owners maintain deep cultural connections to Country.

    The extra planning becomes part of the experience. By the time visitors arrive, they understand they’re entering a place not just of respect, but also patience and curiosity.

    At one with nature

    East Arnhem’s  landscapes leave a strong imprint. For Wall, one place in particular still lingers in their memory: Ngalarrkpuy, also known as Lonely Beach, near Bawaka Homeland.

    “I genuinely felt like I was living inside an Instagram filter,” they say. “One of the most stunning feats of nature I’ve ever seen. The water was so clear I swear I could see even the fish smiling.”

    Across the region, natural experiences unfold at a slower pace. Fishing, beachcombing and island hopping reveal the rhythm of the coastline. The tides shape daily life and the vastness of the landscape makes even simple moments feel downright cinematic.

    For visitors with limited time, Wall says the Bawaka Homeland experience is unmissable.

    “I just left and I’m already planning when I can get back there.”

    The sense of remoteness is part of the appeal. In a country where many beaches are crowded and well-trodden, East Arnhem’s coastline still feels wonderfully wild.

    Immersing in local culture

    A visitor spends a meaningful moment alongside Yolŋu guides, gaining insight into their deep cultural knowledge and connection to the land.
    Experience authentic moments with the locals.

    Culture is woven through every experience in East Arnhem. Visitors have the opportunity to spend time on Country with Yolŋu guides and knowledge holders who share stories and traditions that have been passed down for generations.

    For Wall, one of the most powerful moments came during a conversation with a Yolŋu elder.

    “I got to meet a traditional elder, Mayalil, in Nhulunbuy,” they say. “Listening to her talk about her home made the land feel alive in ways I couldn’t have imagined.”

    The region is also home to internationally recognised Aboriginal art centres where artists shape works deeply connected to land and family knowledge.

    Music carries the same cultural energy. East Arnhem has produced globally recognised artists such as King Stingray and Baker Boy, blending Yolŋu language, storytelling and contemporary sound.

    Wall experienced this musical spirit first-hand.

    “A jam session around the fire was it for me,” they say. “Letting the deep joy and history of their music wash over me…  and meeting a few of the King Stingray musicians was unreal.”

    These moments of human connection often become the most memorable part of a visit.

    Spotting local wildlife

    An aerial view of the beach shows tiny figures lined up across the white sand, moving as if in a rhythmic dance.
    Step into a world where nature reigns.

    The wildlife of East Arnhem adds another layer to the experience. The region is home to an extraordinary range of animals, from waterbirds and turtles to dugongs, dolphins and the formidable saltwater crocodile.

    Wall admits they didn’t actually spot a croc during their visit.

    “Devastatingly, I didn’t see one,” they laugh. “But with all the stories from the locals I definitely gained a healthy respect for caution.”

    Some of the most memorable wildlife encounters can be surprisingly small., At Banubanu Beach Retreat on Bremer Island, Wall remembers walking along the beach one morning and watching it come alive.

    “As you walk through the sand you see hundreds of crabs scurrying into their holes as you pass by,” they say. “Such a small thing, but it was completely magical.”

    Moments like this reveal the quieter rhythms of East Arnhem, where even the smallest creatures seem to play a part in the landscape.

    Visitors who make the journey soon learn the most important travel tip of all.

    “Go in open-minded with a sense of curiosity,” Wall says. “Be prepared to ditch your plans. The land and the locals will guide you on an adventure no spreadsheets could ever compete with.”

    And most importantly, they add, don’t rush.

    “The land and people deserve your time and attention. You’ll be all the better for slowing down.”

    For more information on visiting East Arnhem, head to eastarnhem.com.au.