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.

WA might be enormous, but the right insider knowledge brings its mysteries a whole lot closer.

“Western Australia is a land of record-breakers,” says Carolyn Tipper, a Travel Director working on AAT Kings Western Australia tours. “It has the second-longest fault line, the second-largest meteorite crater, the second-fastest flowing river—it just keeps surprising you. And every area has its charm.”

From tropics to deserts, Australia’s largest state is a land of extremes. You can’t see all of Western Australia in a lifetime, but with the right guide, you can discover its hidden pockets of magic.

Carolyn wishes to reach her guests’ hearts. “I want them to enjoy and be in awe,” she says. “I want them to have the holiday of a lifetime.”

1. Mimbi Caves

You wouldn’t expect a Great Barrier Reef in the outback – but that’s what you’ll find at Mimbi Caves. Once part of a 350-million-year-old reef, these caves hold marine fossils, ancient Indigenous rock art, and Dreamtime stories shared by a Gooniyandi guide.

“That’s when the real connection happens,” says Carolyn, who has taken guests through on the AAT Kings Wonders of the West Coast and Kimberley tour . “When guests connect, not just with the land, but with the people who have called it home for tens of thousands of years.”

Eye-level view of traveller exploring Mimbi Caves. — Walk through ancient limestone passages. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

2. Kalbarri National Park

Nothing prepares you for the Kalbarri Skywalk: a 25-metre platform jutting over Murchison Gorge, 100 metres above the red cliffs and river below. From July to October, join the AAT Kings Untamed Pilbara and West Coast tour to see over 1000 wildflower species paint the park, and listen as an Indigenous guide shares their uses, bush foods and medicine plants.

“I want our guests to have an emotional experience,” says Carolyn. “It’s not just about seeing the land, it’s about stepping into the stories.”

An aerial view of the Kalbarri Skywalk, one of the secret places in Western Australia, with visitors on the edge. — Stand on the Kalbarri Skywalk in Western Australia. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

3. Hamelin Bay Wines

Margaret River isn’t just a top wine region – it’s a winner in every category. Where the Indian and Southern Oceans collide, granite cliffs rise, limestone caves sprawl and Karri forests tower. It almost distracts from the world-class Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

Almost.

Out of over 100 cellar doors, AAT Kings pick Hamelin Bay Wines as a favourite. Hosted tastings of small-batch wines on the Western Wonderland tour end with a group meal. The menu shifting with the seasons.

“Get off the beaten track to one of WA’s most relaxed venues for some amazing red and white signature wines,” explains Carolyn, “accompanied with upmarket pub food.”

Spectacular views.

A person raising a glass of Chardonnay against a glowing Western Australia sunset. — Sip world-class wines at Hamelin Bay in Western Australia. (Image: Getty)

4. Wildflower Guided Walk, Kings Park

Western Australia is home to 12,000 native plant species – 3000 bloom in Kings Park’s Botanic Garden. Stroll past Kangaroo Paw, Banksia and blooms from the Goldfields, Stirling Ranges and Kimberley. “The diversity of Western Australia is immense,” says Carolyn, who leads guests through on the South Western Escape tour .

Couple enjoying the view from the Lotterywest Federation walkway at Kings Park and Botanical Garden. — Wander among thousands of native plant species. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

5. Hoochery Distillery

Did you know that between Kununurra and Emma Gorge lies the state’s oldest continuously operating distillery? Well, the oldest legal one. Set on a family farm, Hoochery Distillery was hand-built using materials found on the property, conjuring up award-winning rum from local sugarcane, wet season rainwater and yeast.

Today, visitors can sample a hearty nip of rum, along with whiskies and gins – all crafted using traditional, labour-intensive methods. It’s the ideal way to soak up the ‘spirit’ of the Kimberley on the AAT Kings’ Untamed Kimberley tour .

People enjoying a rum tasting at one of the secret places in Western Australia. — Sample award-winning rum. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

6. Geraldton

The wildflowers of the Midwest will make your heart blossom. In Geraldton, the Helen Ansell Art Gallery brings the region’s botanicals to life in vivid colour and intricate detail. In nearby Mullewa, wander bushland trails lined with everlastings and native blooms. Further afield, Coalseam Conservation Park bursts into carpets of pink, white, and yellow each spring. Do it all on the Wildflower Wanderer tour with AAT Kings.

woman walking through Wildflowers, Coalseam Conservation Park — Chase vibrant wildflower trails. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

7. El Questro

Wake up after a night under the stars at Emma Gorge Resort, ready to explore the mighty beauty of the El Questro Wilderness Park. With deep gorges, thermal springs, and cascading waterfalls, time slows here.

Join the AAT Kings’ Wonders of the West Coast and Kimberley tour to drift through Chamberlain Gorge, where sheer sandstone walls glow burnt orange in the sun, archer fish flick at the surface, and rock wallabies peer down from ledges above. Then, step into Zebedee Springs, a secret oasis of warm, crystal-clear pools among prehistoric Livistona palms – a moment of pure, wild stillness.

Emma Gorge Resort at El Questro. — Wake to adventure at Emma Gorge Resort. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

8. Lake Argyle

Once vast cattle country, Lake Argyle now sprawls like an inland sea – Western Australia’s largest freshwater lake, created by the damming of the Ord River. Scattered with over 70 islands, its glassy waters teem with life, like freshwater crocodiles, barramundi, bony bream, sleepy cod and over 240 bird species. That’s nearly a third of Australia’s avian population.

Glide across the lake’s surface on a cruise as part of AAT Kings’ Untamed Kimberley tour , where the silence is only broken by the splash of fish and the call of birds. For Carolyn, this place is a perfect example of how WA’s landscapes surprise visitors. “Lake Argyle is a big puddle of water that became a game-changer,” she says. “Seeing it from a boat, coach, and plane is mind-blowing. It puts time, isolation and the sheer scale into perspective.”

Aerial View of Triple J Tours on the Ord River, near Kununurra. — Glide past islands on Western Australia’s largest freshwater lake. (Image: Western Australia)

Discover more of Western Australia’s hidden gems and book your tour at aatkings.com.

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