Emirates and Marriott to bring the world’s first Ritz-Carlton Lodge to Australia’s Wolgan Valley

Closed since 2023, Wolgan Valley is preparing for a major new chapter, reopening as the world’s first Ritz-Carlton Lodge through a landmark Emirates and Marriott collaboration

Following its closure in 2023, Wolgan Valley is set to return to Australia’s luxury travel landscape under a new global banner, with Emirates and Marriott International confirming plans to relaunch the property as Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge. The resort was previously a part of the One&Only portfolio.

Scheduled to open in mid-2026, the 40-key, all-inclusive lodge will mark the global debut of The Ritz-Carlton Lodge concept, introducing a new nature-led expression of the brand while reactivating one of Australia’s most significant conservation resorts.

A landmark relaunch for Wolgan Valley

First opened in 2009, Wolgan Valley established itself as a pioneer of conservation-based luxury tourism in Australia before its closure in 2023 following access issues to the site. Its future has since been closely watched by industry and travellers alike.

The new agreement represents a strategic repositioning of the property, aligning Wolgan Valley’s long-standing environmental framework with The Ritz-Carlton’s global luxury platform, service standards and design sensibility.

Since acquiring the property, Emirates has invested more than AU$150 million into Wolgan Valley, including large-scale environmental restoration across the 7,000-acre reserve and the conservation of heritage structures such as the original homestead, built in 1832. A further AU$50 million investment will fund the lodge’s transformation in collaboration with Marriott International, with conservation and land stewardship remaining central to the site’s operations.

“For us, Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge will not only be an extraordinary resort appealing to discerning travellers seeking to be close to nature, but also a powerful engine for local economic growth, helping to rejuvenate the Wolgan Valley locality,” said Sir Tim Clark, President, Emirates Airline.

Design, accommodation and guest experience

Despite the scale of the reserve and keeping with the lodge’s previous iteration, Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge will occupy less than two percent of the protected land, reinforcing a design approach centred on restraint, space and privacy. The 40 original private lodges, each with a pool and bespoke amenities, will be redesigned to align with The Ritz-Carlton’s aesthetic standards, while still drawing on the character of traditional Australian homesteads.

Arrival will again form part of the guest experience, with access via four-wheel drive along the historic Donkey Steps or by helicopter, reinforcing the sense of transition from urban life into protected wilderness.

Experiences are expected to focus on destination immersion. Alongside guided encounters led by expert naturalists, plans include a signature sleep-out experience, which will take guests deeper into the reserve for an overnight stay beneath the stars, combining outdoor dining and campfire rituals with luxury standards of The Ritz-Carlton brand.

Dining, wellness and facilities

The restored homestead will serve as the central gathering point for the lodge, housing a signature restaurant, lounge bar and wine room showcasing Australian produce alongside a curated international wine collection.

Wellness facilities are set to include a reimagined outdoor pool, tennis courts, equestrian stables, a modern fitness centre and The Ritz-Carlton Spa, with wellbeing integrated into the surrounding environment rather than positioned as a standalone retreat.

A dedicated naturalist hub will curate conservation-led programming, offering guests deeper insight into the Greater Blue Mountains ecosystem, its wildlife corridors and cultural history.

What it means for the Ritz-Carlton brand

For Marriott International, the Wolgan Valley project marks a notable evolution of The Ritz-Carlton brand, extending it into purpose-built lodges designed for remote, conservation-led destinations.

The property will complement the brand’s existing Australian portfolio – The Ritz-Carlton, Perth and The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne – while establishing a global reference point for future Ritz-Carlton Lodges.

For Wolgan Valley, the relaunch represents a considered return at a time when luxury travellers are increasingly seeking more authentic and nature-immersed properties that highlight a sense of place.