Berkeley River Lodge: Bringing luxury to the Kimberley

With waterview villas, a perfectly curated menu and stunning views overlooking the Timor Sea, Berkeley River Lodge is an intriguing mix of luxury and adventure.

The wild, raw landscapes of the Kimberley stretch across 423,000 square kilometres of northern Australia: through the outback pioneer towns of Kununurra and Halls Creek, past the deep canyons and sheer cliffs, and among the World Heritage-listed Bungle Bungles. The stark, rugged beauty of this region attracts travellers from around the globe who are filled with a sense of adventure and a love of ancient landscapes. Despite the solitude and isolation of much of the Kimberley, a visit here doesn’t have to include changing flat 4WD tyres on a dusty track. Instead, why not enjoy the coastal breeze from a private luxury villa on the edge of the Kimberley coastline with Berkeley River Lodge ?

aerial of Berkerly River Lodge — Find the perfect home base in The Kimberleys.

A uniquely remote coastal location

The serene Berkeley River Lodge, sitting where the meandering Berkeley River meets the teeming Timor Sea, blends pure luxury with sustainable adventure. From guided nature tours and signature river cruises to gourmet meals served with a view, this is the Kimberley as few travellers get to experience it.

Surrounded by wind-crafted sand dunes, the lodge is a world away from the rest of Australia, both literally and figuratively. Its remoteness is one of the top reasons travellers make the journey here. Natural beauty, distinct landscapes and an abundance of wildlife are others.

Most guests fly in on charter flights from the small township of Kununurra at the eastern gateway to the Kimberley, or by a three- to four-hour boat ride from Wyndham, the northernmost town in this region. Once here, the all-inclusive stay allows for guided cruises, hikes and walks to local swimming holes, as well as all meals, drinks and spa treatments.

casual dining at Berkerly River Lodge — Enjoy the remote, coastal surroundings.

Waking up to 180-degree ocean views

Considering the consistently warm weather, it’s no surprise that Berkeley River Lodge includes a stunning swimming pool with beach views. There’s also a comfortable lodge and an acclaimed restaurant, as well as a collection of 20 private villas.

Each villa features air conditioning and a king bed (or twin beds) overlooking floor-to-ceiling windows framing 180-degree views over the Kimberley coastline. There’s also a Nespresso coffee machine at the ready for early morning lattes; a coffee here beats the line at your usual cafe.

Here in your spacious villa , you can spend the night in plush white bedding and the morning overlooking the crimson sunrise. The red soil and rugged surroundings of this beachfront accommodation contrast sharply with the sparkle of the water, while the sounds of the bush, the birds and the waves mark every day as a perfect day in the Kimberley.

The villas are each decked out with comfortable, modern designs that suit the space but don’t take away from the main attraction – that stunning view. With large windows and private verandahs for sunset viewing, everything at this lodge is geared to enjoy the surrounding wilderness.

To immerse yourself a little more, there’s an open-air shower and a free-standing outdoor bathtub just made for star gazing. You might even spot the reflection of the Milky Way in your champagne glass as you soak away the red dust from the day.

cabin at Berkerly River Lodge during sunset — Watch the sun go down from your outdoor bathtub.

All-inclusive dining with a difference

While Berkeley River Lodge might be one of Australia’s most remote lodges, the emphasis here is on handcrafted fine dining served with care. With fresh food flown in daily from some of the most famous food and wine regions in Australia, the food at Berkeley River Lodge will compete for your attention alongside the view from your table.

Every day starts with a generous cooked-to-order breakfast, followed by an all-inclusive menu with big hitters like grain-fed Black Angus beef or oak barrel-smoked Tasmanian salmon for lunch and dinner. The wine list includes drops from the award-winning Barossa and Margaret River wine regions, or you can choose from a selection of top shelf spirits, French Champagne and cocktails (all included, of course).

waitstaff at Berkerly River Lodge — Enjoy an extensive wine list.

Adventure meets relaxation

While it’s tempting to just spend the day floating in the inviting swimming pool, Berkeley River Lodge also offers a staggering range of activities – and almost all are included in your stay.

You can explore the rich flora and fauna on a guided hike, or hop on a cruise along the Berkeley River to try to catch the elusive barramundi. Or simply photograph the watercolour sunsets on a 4WD tour. To cool off, take a guided nature walk to a nearby freshwater swimming hole, or enjoy the breeze on the river cruise while you spot ‘salties’ (saltwater crocodiles) and visit hidden waterfalls.

Kimberley Spa is new in the 2025 season, and each guest is treated to two signature treatments. Enjoy a replenishing massage, facial or body wrap using Indigenous, locally sourced products.

Berkerly River Lodge fishing trip in the kimberleys — Explore the stunning landscape.

Space to explore in your own time

As a luxury property, Berkeley River Lodge is all about unique, personalised experiences. That’s why the staff here offer the kind of attentive, friendly service you’d expect from this level of accommodation, while also allowing you the space you’ll need to explore, rejuvenate and relax with the Kimberley as your stunning backdrop.

This remote corner of Australia is one of the world’s last frontiers. This is how to see it properly.

Vast, rugged and deeply spiritual, the Kimberley coast in Australia’s North West feels a world away from everyday Australia – and there are countless ways to explore it. But if you want to reach ancient rock art, hidden gorges and lonely waterfalls, it has to be by boat. Whether you’re aboard a nimble expedition vessel or a luxury yacht with all the trimmings, exploring by the water brings exclusive experiences, shows unique views and makes travel easier than any other mode. And that’s just the beginning of Australia’s North West cruises.

The True North Adventure Cruise in between sandstone cliffs. — Adventure starts where the road ends.

1. Discover Broome, and beyond

Explore your launchpad before you set sail: Broome. Here camels and their riders stride along the 22 kilometres of powdery Cable Beach at sunset. That’s just the start.

At Gantheaume Point, red pindan cliffs plunge into the turquoise sea, whose low tide uncovers fossilised dinosaur footprints. Broome’s pearling history runs deep. Japanese, Chinese, Malay and Aboriginal divers once worked these waters, and their legacy lives on in boutiques where South Sea pearls still shine.

If the moon’s right, you may catch the Staircase to the Moon over Roebuck Bay. Or simply kick back with a cold beverage and a film under the stars at Sun Pictures , screening since 1916.

Ride a camel along Cable Beach as the sun sinks into the Indian Ocean, casting golden light across the sand and sea. — Ride a camel along Cable Beach. (Image: Nick Dunn)

2. Unmatched access to The Kimberley

Once you’re onboard, expect a backstage pass to some of the most isolated places on Earth. No roads. No ports. No phone reception.

At Horizontal Falls/ Garaanngaddim, 10-metre tides surge through twin gorges like a natural waterpark ride that’ll make your palms sweat. Then there’s Montgomery Reef/ Yowjab: a giant living platform of coral and seagrass, where the sea pulls back to reveal waterfalls, sea turtles and ospreys.

Up north, King George Falls/ Oomari rage 80 metres down red cliffs. Zodiac boats often nudge in closer so you can feel the spray on your sun-warmed cheeks. You might even fly in to reach Mitchell Falls/ Punamii-unpuu, a four-tiered cascade where you can swim in freshwater pools above the drop.

Come spring, some itineraries veer west to Rowley Shoals: an atoll chain of white sand and reef walls. Then it’s up the winding Prince Regent River to King Cascade/ Maamboolbadda, tumbling over rock terraces, and into a Zodiac to view the Gwion Gwion rock art, whose slender, ochre-painted figures are older than the pyramids.

A cruise drifts beneath King George Falls, where sheer sandstone cliffs frame the thunderous plunge into turquoise waters. — Get closer to the Kimberley than ever before.

3. Taste the Kimberley with onboard hospitality

You might spend your days clambering over slippery rocks or charging past waterfalls. But when you’re back on the water, it’s a different story. Meals are chef-prepared and regionally inspired: grilled barramundi, pearl meat sashimi, mango tarts, and bush tomato chutney. One night it’s barefoot beach barbecues with your shipmates; the next, alfresco dining on the ship.

Small expedition ships each have their own personality, but many carry just 12 to 36 guests, making being out on the water a whole other experience. You might sink into a spa on the foredeck or sip coffee in a lounge while watching crocodiles cruise by. It’s choose-your-own-relaxation, Kimberley style.

4. Expert-led excursions through the Kimberley

These voyages are led by people who know the Kimberley like the back of their sunburnt hand. Attenborough-esque naturalists might gently tap your shoulder to point out rare birds or tell the story beneath a slab of rock. Historians can explain exactly how that rusted World War II relic came to rest here.

If your ship has a helipad, you might chopper straight to a waterfall-fed swimming hole. If not, you’ll still be hopping ashore for that wet landing at a secret creek.

Then come the evenings: songlines shared by Traditional Owners under the stars, or astronomy sessions that link what’s overhead with what’s underfoot and what’s within.

A small group glides through Kimberley’s rugged coastline by boat, passing ancient cliffs. — Explore with naturalists and historians by your side.

5. Relax in luxurious lodgings

Just because you’re off-grid doesn’t mean you have to rough it. These Kimberley vessels are small in size, but mighty in luxury. True North’s ships come with their own helicopters and a no-sea-days policy, so you’re always in the thick of it. Try the luxurious offerings from Ocean Dream Charters for exploration in style. Kimberley Quest offers a fast boat for easy, off-ship adventures. On the larger end of the scale, Coral Expeditions has open-deck bars and curated wine cellars. And then there’s Ponant’s luxury yachts – sleek and incredibly stylish French sailing yachts.

A helicopter soars above the sea, with a sleek cruise ship gliding in the distance. — See the Kimberley from sky to shore.

6. The adventure continues with pre- and post-cruise experiences

You’ve already come this far – so, why not go further? Broome makes it easy to ease in before you board, or wind down when your voyage ends, and there is no reason to stop there.

Head an hour and a half south to Eco Beach to stay off-grid and off the clock. Join a Yawuru guide for a mangrove walk or ocean forage. Dive even deeper into Broome’s pearling past at Willie Creek or Cygnet Bay, where divers and craftspeople still pull the seawater-slicked gems from the deep.

If you’re still craving adventure, it’s time to go further. Soar over the Buccaneer Archipelago, or detour inland with a 4WD trip along the Gibb River Road. Book a scenic flight over the Bungle Bungles. Or – because you never know when you’ll be back – do all three.

aerial of people walking on eco beach in the kimberley western australia — Stay off grid at Eco Beach. (Image: Tourism WA)

Find out more about your trip to Australia’s North West at australiasnorthwest.com .

This unique lodge is bringing luxury to the Kimberley