Emirates and Marriott International have signed an agreement to develop Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge, a 40-key all-inclusive property to be located within a 2,833-hectare conservancy in Australia’s Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage area.
The project is expected to be the first Ritz-Carlton Lodge globally and is scheduled to open in mid-2026. The lodge will be developed on the site of the former Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort in New South Wales and will operate within a conservation reserve, with the built footprint occupying less than two per cent of the land.
Since 2006, Emirates has invested A$150 million (US$99 million) in the Wolgan Valley property, including restoration of heritage structures such as the original 1832 homestead and conservation programmes involving the planting of more than one million native trees. Emirates is investing an additional A$50 million in refurbishment works, in collaboration with Marriott International, to reposition the property under The Ritz-Carlton brand.
Following the closure of Wolgan Valley Road in 2023, Emirates maintained the site with a small team of locally employed staff while operations were suspended. The reopening of the lodge is expected to support up to 150 jobs and provide opportunities for local suppliers.
Access to the lodge will be via four-wheel drive along the Donkey Steps or by helicopter. The property is planned to include 40 lodges, each with a private pool, along with dining venues, wellness facilities, recreational amenities and guided outdoor experiences led by resident experts.
The development will add to The Ritz-Carlton’s existing presence in Australia, which includes properties in Perth and Melbourne.
