A new luxury lodge is opening in WA's Purnululu National Park

Australian Traveller speaks exclusively with Abercrombie & Kent on what you can expect from the new accommodation, set to open as early as 2027.

Leading luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent (A&K) has revealed its plans for an all-new eco-lodge within WA’s Purnululu National Park. It will be the brand’s first foray into Australia’s accommodation market and could be complete as soon as 2027.

We speak exclusively to Graham Wood, A&K’s Senior Vice President DMCs Asia Pacific, to get the inside scoop.

Purnululu National Park, Western Australia — The new eco-lodge will open in WA’s Purnululu National Park. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

What do we know about the project so far?

While the project is still in its early stages, we know that the new lodge will comprise just 16 exclusive rooms. This includes the brand’s iconic Geoffrey Kent Suite, an ultra-luxury VIP-style villa that features across a handful of A&K’s properties around the world.

According to Graham, the exact location of the lodge is yet to be confirmed. But it will be very close to the unmistakable striped bluffs of the Bungle Bungle Range, one of the outback’s most under-the-radar destinations. It will also be the only lodge within the park that offers views of the ancient rock formations, making it a one-of-a-kind experience.

Bungle Bungle Range in Purnululu National Park, Western Australia — The lodge will be the only of its kind to offer views of the Bungle Bungles. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

“When you travel to the Australian outback, you want to feel like you’re in the outback. And the rooms here are specifically designed to allow that scenery in. We really want you to feel like you’re in the bush," says Graham.

Through the lodge’s design, A&K aims to not only celebrate the park’s strong sense of place, but cultivate and foster a deeper appreciation for it. Each private suite will invite the outside world in, from large windows to outdoor spaces, showcasing Western Australia’s raw natural beauty in all its glory.

“There’ll be an awful lot of design around making sure the night sky is included, not just in the general area where we’ll have fire pits, but in the rooms as well, with the potential to see the stars from your bed," notes Graham.

Guests can also expect plenty of onsite experiences, from helicopter flights over the national park to guided walks of the Bungle Bungles and more.

Why Purnululu National Park?

The A&K property portfolio is nothing short of spectacular. From luxury safari-style camps on the plains of Kenya to private villas in the heart of Tuscan wine country in Italy, the brand is renowned for delivering one-of-a-kind experiences set in bucket-list destinations. And now, its first-ever Australian offering is on its way.

“The beauty of A&K is that we’ve been doing this for 60 years. We can leverage what we’ve learned in Africa over here [in Australia] because we know what a luxurious, authentic bush experience looks like for a luxury traveller," says Graham.

And that’s what makes Purnululu National Park the perfect site. Tucked into the stunning and remote Kimberley region, it spans 239,723 hectares across Western Australia. And although it may be difficult to reach, it’s a bucket-list destination for many travellers.

Situated on the Traditional Lands of the Gija and Jaru people, it is home to majestic waterholes, deep gorges and 350-million-year-old rock formations. This was part of the reason A&K decided to jump on the project. “Purnululu National Park – what a fantastic site. It’s famous for the Bungle Bungles, which is obviously a big driver for bringing people in," says Graham.

Cathedral Gorge, Purnululu National Park, Western Australia — Visit waterholes like Cathedral Gorge within the park. (Image: Jamie Gilmore)

But what really piqued the brand’s interest was the collaborative nature of the project, particularly with the Billingjul Aboriginal Corporation (BAC), who will be developing the lodge in partnership with A&K.

“I was very happy to see that A&K was selected for this project, and I think that was potentially because of our commitment to the philanthropic side and real focus on working with the BAC," Graham says.

“It’s really that connection and working with them that pushed us over the edge. [Purnululu National Park] is not just a place to go and look at the Bungle Bungles and the amazing scenery. We see it as an opportunity to really delve into First Nations experiences."

A representative of BAC said in a statement, “The economic and cultural tourism opportunities from this partnership will help support our long-held aspirations to both live and work on Country."

Adding, “This is a significant milestone for our community. We are excited to be partnering with the WA Government and Abercrombie & Kent, and look forward to sharing our culture with the world."

Will the new lodge be sustainable?

According to A&K’s proposal, the lodge will be as off-grid as possible, run on solar power and built without the destruction of any trees. The leave-no-footprints approach will see A&K, working with Bennett Architecture out of South Australia, build the lodge in components offsite. It will then be transported and assembled onsite.

Graham notes that a key consideration in the construction of this lodge, as well as all of A&K’s camps around the world, “is that in 40 years from now, if we need to take it down, we can do so in a way that can return the land back to how it was in very short order."

It will also create a plethora of new jobs for the local community, namely, First Nations guides who will lead walks, tours and other activities.

“A&K’s intention is to work closely with the Billingjul Aboriginal Corporation and build a guide school – to make sure that all of our guides have a pathway to working in the hospitality industry. From the A&K philanthropic side, we’re very excited about that," notes Graham.

Funded in part by Tourism WA’s $17.7 million National Park Tourism Experiences Development program, the eco-lodge will support Traditional Owners through sustainable tourism ventures and promote the state’s natural and cultural destinations.

Further signature accommodation is planned for three other sites within the West Kimberley region, including Windjana Gorge (Bandilngan), Tunnel Creek (Dimalurru) and Lennard Gorge (Darrambal). All supported by the Western Australian Government in partnership with Traditional Owners.

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 .

A new luxury lodge is opening in WA’s Purnululu National Park

Australian Traveller speaks exclusively with Abercrombie & Kent on what you can expect from the new accommodation, set to open as early as 2027.

What do we know about the project so far?

Why Purnululu National Park?

Will the new lodge be sustainable?

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