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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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8 reasons why the low season is the best time to explore the Northern Territory

Credit: Tourism and Events NT

    Rachael Thompson Rachael Thompson
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    September to April in the Northern Territory rewards those who seek adventure.

    Sure, the Northern Territory shines during the high season, but did you know it transforms into lush magnificence in the summer low season? From September to April, hundreds of waterfalls roar into action, vegetation flourishes and natural pools swell, all thanks to spectacular storms. This is when some of the country’s best arts and cultural events hit the calendar, too.

    Travelling at this time of year means you’ll also be rewarded with off-peak travel pricing on accommodation, tours and experiences, and can even enjoy many of the top sites all to yourself.

    1. Kings Canyon is transformed

    A woman reaching out to touch a natural waterhole at Kings Canyon during the best time to explore the NT.
    See Kings Canyon at its most spectacular. (Credit: Tourism and Events NT)

    Kings Canyon’s towering sandstone domes and crevasses are a sight to behold year-round, but during the low season you can witness a rare phenomenon. This ancient outback wonder’s arid landscape bursts to life when it rains, temporarily transforming it with waterfalls that thunder down the cliffs. At the base of the canyon is the verdant Garden of Eden and its permanent watering hole.

    2. John Hayes Rockhole is a natural wonder

    Two women hiking to John Hayes Rockhole, one of the unforgettable experiences during the best time to explore the NT.
    Hike to a desert oasis. (Credit: Tourism and Events NT)

    Hidden in the Trephina Gorge Nature Park in the East MacDonnell Ranges, John Hayes Rockhole is an oasis waiting to be discovered. Visit the narrow canyon during the high season, and you may see only a sandy creekbed, but after rain in the low season the pool is full of cool water. It’s accessible via a 4WD-only track off the Ross Highway, or you can set out early and join the nine-kilometre Trephina Ridgetop Walk. The reward for undertaking the hike is worth every step, and there’s a dedicated, tent-only campground for those who’d like to soak up the serenity overnight.

    3. The Red Centre Light Trail shines bright

    A woman admiring The Light Towers, one of the must-see attractions during the best time to explore the NT.
    Watch the Outback light up after sunset. (Credit: Tourism and Events NT)

    The Red Centre’s rich cultural heritage and lack of light pollution make it the ideal setting for immersive light shows, and you can experience the most iconic ones on an epic six-day road trip in April. Witness the Parrtjima cultural festival in Mparntwe (Alice Springs) before heading to Kings Canyon for Bruce Munro’s Light-Towers, where 69 glowing towers shine to a celestial soundscape. At Uluṟu, Munro’s Field of Light blankets the red soil with glowing frosted-glass stems, and the Wintijiri Wiru drone show lights up the sky in front of the sacred cultural site. Along the way you’ll witness the changing landscapes of the desert from the West MacDonnell Ranges to the Valley of the Winds.

    4. The Parrtjima festival lights up the Red Centre

    Festival lights illuminating the Northern Territory, showing why the best time to explore the NT is during festival season.
    Witness the magic of Parrtjima. (Credit: Tourism and Events NT)

    For 10 days every April, the Red Centre turns into a dazzling display of colour for the Parrtjima festival. Held at Alice Springs Desert Park, the unmissable celebration shines a spotlight on the world’s oldest living culture using modern technology. Artworks by local Aboriginal artists are transformed into large-scale illuminated installations with accompanying soundscapes, offering a unique opportunity to see the spectacular sunburnt landscapes, night skies and 300-million-year-old West MacDonnell Ranges in a new light. The jam-packed line-up of art and cultural events also includes workshops, markets, short films, talks and live music.

    5. Cruising along Nitmiluk Gorge is breathtaking

    Aerial view of Nitmiluk Gorge, showcasing its dramatic cliffs and waterways.
    Sail between towering sandstone cliffs. (Credit: Tourism and Events NT/Nic Morley)

    Drifting down the emerald waters of Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge between towering red sandstone cliffs carved over millions of years, all while waterfalls stream down around you, is an experience like none other. Nitmiluk Katherine’s two-hour NitNit Dreaming Two Gorge Tour sails through gorges past ancient rock art while a local guide imparts knowledge about the Jawoyn culture and significance of the landscape.

    6. You can explore local culture on the Tiwi Islands

    A quick boat ride from Darwin lies the peculiarly pink shores of Melville Island, Tiwi Islands. Populated by the hilariously cheeky Indigenous Tiwis, stepping onto the Islands is like stepping back in time. Sweeping rusty dirt roads meander through the eucalypt forest and are interspersed only by small communities and freshwater springs.
    Immerse yourself in Tiwi culture. (Credit: Tourism and Events NT/Elise Cook)

    Take an 80-kilometre ferry ride from Darwin to arrive at the Tiwi Islands, an archipelago of 11 picturesque islands and a haven for art lovers and anglers. On the Tiwi By Design walking tour you’ll be guided to the Tiwi Design Art Centre, one of Australia’s oldest art centres, to observe local artists in action and join a screen printing workshop.

    If you’re more partial to sinking a line, book a stay at Tiwi Island Retreat in April. It’s one of the best months to fish for barramundi, and their world-class fishing adventures are your best chance at reeling in a prized catch.

    7. Scenic flights over Kakadu’s waterfalls are jaw-dropping

    Jim Jim Falls from above during a wet season helicopter tour. Covering nearly 20,000 square kilometres, Kakadu National Park is teeming with wildlife, home to important Aboriginal rock art sites, and takes in diverse and exotic landscape.
    Soar above Jim Jim Falls. (Credit: Tourism and Events NT/Jarrad Seng)

    Seeing Kakadu National Park’s gushing waterfalls and dramatic escarpments from above offers a dose of unparalleled beauty – and it’s all best witnessed in the low season.

    Taking flight from Darwin, Kakadu Air Services offers an unforgettable experience, with doorless helicopters revealing unobstructed views of the 1.8-billion-year-old landscape. Soar above the untouched savannah that turns into a tropical green paradise, marvel at the thunderous Jim Jim Falls and Twin Falls, and whiz through ancient sandstone canyons. If you’re lucky, the scenery will look all the more dramatic with rolling tropical storm clouds in the distance.

    8. Litchfield National Park is an amazing place to cool off

    Litchfield National Park
    Dive into natural swimming holes. (Image: Tourism NT/Joshua Griffen)

    Litchfield National Park is peppered with stunning natural swimming pools for you to beat the heat in. Take a refreshing dip in pristine, crocodile-free spots such as Buley Rockhole, a series of spring-fed cascading pools, and the nearby Florence Falls, which is enveloped by monsoon rainforest and features a crystal-clear plunge pool fed by a 15-metre-high waterfall. Be sure to check the Northern Territory Parks & Reserves website for closures before you go.

    Start planning your low season adventure of a lifetime at northernterritory.com.