Private plane transfers, luxury villas and all-inclusive gourmet bliss: it’s time to add Berkeley River Lodge to your bucket list.
Spread over Australia’s entire north-western corner, the Kimberley region is one of the last true wilderness areas on Earth. Kilometres of rugged cliffs, red dirt and mangroves sit between magnificent canyons, rushing waterfalls, freshwater swimming holes and outback stations, all waiting to be explored by foot, 4WD, helicopter, boat or plane. It may be remote, but this makes a trip all the more worthwhile – especially when staying at Berkeley River Lodge.
You won’t have to forgo life’s little luxuries at this award-winning accommodation, where all-inclusive dining, luxury villas and access to once-in-a-lifetime experiences that celebrate Western Australia’s incredible natural landscapes await. Here, we reveal why a Berkeley River Lodge trip should top your bucket list.
1. You’ll fly there directly by private plane
With no access by road, all Berkeley River Lodge stays start with a spectacular scenic flight transfer. Berkeley River Lodge is perched at the mouth of the Berkeley River in the East Kimberley region and has its own airstrip, 102 nautical miles from Kununurra Airport and 215 nautical miles from Darwin Airport. Transfers are included in your package, so you can sit back while your expert pilot flies you over some of Australia’s most scenic countryside.
2. Your private luxury villa features a freestanding, open-air bathtub
The luxury continues with your exclusive villa, perched just metres from the beautiful blue waters of the Timor Sea. This private retreat is a masterclass in remote luxury, with a comfortable king bed, furnished veranda made for lazy evenings spent sipping a glass of wine, and air conditioning to keep you cool. Fix yourself a coffee with your Nespresso machine or enjoy a cup of T2 tea on your daybed, overlooking the sea. The pièce de résistance is the open-air ensuite, complete with a stunning freestanding bathtub and outdoor shower for bathing in the Kimberley moonlight.
3. You can fully immerse yourself in the Kimberley with Berkeley River Lodge's unique experiences
While you may not want to leave the luxuries of your villa, you’ll be rewarded with a raft of one-of-a-kind experiences when you do. Cruise the Berkeley River for a couple of hours or a full day with Berkeley River Lodge’s resident skipper. Visit Casuarina Falls, cool off with a dip in the secluded waterholes of Berkeley Creek or learn how to spot native wildlife, including saltwater crocodiles. Explore the same landscapes from a different angle with a 4WD tour, marvelling at the early morning or late afternoon light dancing across the unique rock formations and swelling ocean. Snap the bounty of native flora and fauna on a guided creek walk with the lodge’s resident nature enthusiast, or cast a line in remote fishing locations, home to queenfish, threadfin salmon and mulloway.
4. Taste the best of the region every day with incredible all-inclusive dining
Berkeley River Lodge’s breathtaking location is only matched by the quality of its all-inclusive dining options, with flavours as rich as the surrounding scenery. Dunes restaurant is perfectly placed to take in the Timor Sea, Berkeley River mouth and stunning Kimberley coastline, setting the tone for what’s to come.
Start every morning with Bircher muesli and fresh fruit, followed by breakfast cooked to order and a selection of coffee, tea and juice. Come lunchtime, choose between a gourmet hamper to enjoy while exploring the Kimberley or a two-course à la carte lunch at Dunes. Dinner is a five-course affair, with Executive Chef Amine Bouhaddou designing a degustation of dishes using the finest quality ingredients from all over the world. The resident sommelier will pair each course with a wine that enhances the dish – all included in your stay.
5. Cap off your Berkeley River Lodge trip by soaring over the Kimberley on a helicopter tour
Take to the skies on a helicopter tour to see the vast Kimberley from a whole new perspective. Berkeley River Lodge has partnered with Truenorth Helicopters to take guests above ancient rock formations, impenetrable forest, gushing waterfalls and red-rock canyons, discovering sites of historical and cultural significance along the way.
On this optional experience, you can fly over some of the greatest rock art galleries in the world and visit the majestic King George Falls, keeping an eye out for jabiru, turtles, crocodiles and dugongs along the way. A stop at a secluded waterhole allows you time to cool off with a cold drink in hand, before returning to Berkeley River Lodge. Keen fishers can take advantage of the region’s thriving barra stocks with a heli-fishing tour, landing on a stretch of water that’s only accessible by helicopter. With a picturesque view, remote waters and the chance to land a big barra, all that’s left is to cast your rod.
