Emirates and Marriott International will open the world’s first Ritz-Carlton Lodge in Australia’s Wolgan Valley in mid-2026, introducing a conservation-led luxury concept to the Ritz-Carlton brand. The all-inclusive property, named Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge, features 40 standalone lodges across a 7,000-acre private conservancy in the UNESCO-listed Greater Blue Mountains, with development limited to less than two per cent of the landscape. Emirates has invested approximately €91m in the site since 2006, with an additional €30m committed for renovations aligned with Ritz-Carlton standards.
Access to the lodge requires helicopter transfer or a four-wheel-drive journey along the Donkey Steps track from nearby gateways served by Emirates in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, or Sydney. The property includes a renovated homestead with dining and spa facilities, guided conservation activities, and wildlife viewing of species such as kangaroos and brush-tailed rock wallabies. The collaboration marks a strategic expansion for both companies into nature-based premium travel.
Tim Clark shared “In our 30 years of operations in Australia, Emirates has consistently sought to deliver value to our customers, and to Australia.”
