Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef to undergo $5 million redesign ahead of 2027 relaunch

The Cape Range National Park camp will reopen with ensuited wilderness tents, a fully redesigned communal heart and a new dining space. Global design firm Woods Bagot is leading the project

Journey Beyond has announced a more than $5 million refurbishment of Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef, with the Cape Range National Park eco-camp set to close and reopen in late March 2027. The investment will affect every aspect of the 16-tent property, from the arrival through to the experience within each wilderness tent, the social sundeck and the dining room.

All 16 Wilderness Tents will be upgraded to include private ensuite bathrooms and louvred windows, with interiors shaped by a marine-inspired palette of blues and turquoise drawn from the adjacent reef. Custom textiles, bespoke joinery and statement lighting will complete the new look inside each tent, while new furniture and soft furnishings will exude a residential feel.

The camp, the only accommodation within the Cape Range National Park, sits lightly at the edge of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef – one of the world’s largest fringing reefs – giving guests direct direct beach access within minutes of stepping out the door.

The shared spaces at the heart of the camp will also be substantially reworked. A new reception will establish the tone on arrival, and the existing central sundeck and lounge will be redesigned to form the social centre of the lodge – the place where guests gather between excursions. A new communal dining area with banquette-style seating and an all-inclusive open bar will be introduced alongside it.

Global design firm Woods Bagot, which previously delivered Journey Beyond’s Aurora and Australis Suites for its luxury rail division, is leading the project. Director Rosina Di Maria says the palette draws directly from the surrounding landscape, grounding the space in a clear sense of place.

“Materiality plays a central role, with colour and pattern reflecting the terrain’s tactility and hues borrowed from the maritime environment,” Di Maria says. “Authenticity is expressed through timber, including teak and reclaimed jarrah, alongside raw edges reminiscent of erosion and refined metalwork detailing. Coastal references appear in woven rope and knot details – and rather than resisting the elements, materials are chosen to weather gracefully and designed to silver naturally over time.”

The culinary offer has been refined alongside the redesign. Contemporary plates will feature fresh, seasonal produce locally sourced with coastal and bush influences, served alongside Western Australian wines, regional beers and other beverages as part of the all-inclusive package.

Beyond the camp, Sal Salis’ guided program evolves daily. Sunrise gorge walks through Cape Range National Park and snorkelling along the Ningaloo coastline – home to more than 500 fish species and 250 coral types – are offered alongside kayaks and stand-up paddleboards for self-guided exploration. Optional whale shark and humpback whale swims are available for those wanting closer contact with the reef’s marine life. Ningaloo is one of the few places in the world where both encounters are possible in a single stay.

“We’ve focused on the details that matter to our guests, while keeping the barefoot luxury that makes Sal Salis so unique,” says Journey Beyond CEO Chris Tallent.

Bookings for the 2027 season are open at salsalis.com.au.