Emirates and Marriott International have announced plans to open the world’s first Ritz-Carlton Lodge in Australia’s Wolgan Valley, marking a significant development in luxury and nature-based tourism.
The new property, named Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge, is slated to open in mid-2026 in the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area of New South Wales. Set within a 7,000-acre conservation reserve, the all-inclusive lodge will feature 40 luxury lodges designed to harmonise with the natural environment and provide an immersive wilderness experience.
Emirates has invested AU$150 million in the Wolgan Valley site since its original development in 2006, including restoration of historic structures and extensive conservation work such as planting more than one million native trees. In collaboration with Marriott, the airline is now committing an additional AU$50 million to renovate and reposition the property under The Ritz-Carlton brand, which is making its global lodge debut with this project.
The lodge is expected to create approximately 150 jobs and support local suppliers, reinforcing Emirates’ long-standing engagement with the Wolgan Valley community. Guests will access the resort via a four-wheel-drive service along the rural Donkey Steps route or by helicopter, reflecting both the remote setting and experiential approach to luxury travel.
Key features will include private pools and bespoke amenities in each lodge, a signature sleep-out wilderness experience under pristine night skies, a main homestead with dining and social spaces, recreational facilities, and a dedicated naturalist hub offering conservation-led activities. The lodge is also positioned to complement Marriott’s existing Ritz-Carlton properties in Australia, including locations in Perth and Melbourne.
The announcement comes as regional New South Wales continues to attract strong visitor numbers, with domestic and international tourism contributing significantly to the local economy in recent quarters.
