Add This Barefoot Luxury Experience to Your Bucket List

Have you ever fantasized about being marooned on a desert island or a pristine coastline, but with the amenities you need? A place in Exmouth, Western Australia, makes that dream come true.

Journey Beyond, Australia’s leading experiential tourism group, has announced a new era of barefoot luxury for Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef, with a major refurbishment set to reimagine the beloved eco-luxury stay.

Sal Salis is set to undergo significant renovations and will reopen in late March 2027, enhancing Journey Beyond’s collection of exceptional travel experiences and distinctive accommodations in Australia’s most renowned destinations. Visitors can experience new eco-luxury Wilderness Tents with en suite bathrooms, styled in a marine-inspired color scheme that reflects the vibrant blues and turquoise of nearby Ningaloo Reef. The redesign incorporates thoughtfully chosen furniture, eye-catching lighting, and plush soft furnishings to finalize the upgrade.

From the moment guests arrive, a stunning reception creates a welcoming atmosphere for relaxation. The central sun deck and lounge, located at the heart of the property, serve as the social hub where guests can share stories about their day’s adventures. Additionally, there is a new dining area with banquette-style seating and an all-inclusive open bar, enhancing the overall experience.

Nestled among the dunes of Cape Range National Park, Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef features 16 eco-luxury Wilderness Tents designed to sit lightly on the landscape. At Sal Salis, luxury is defined by its setting – an immersive experience where days unfold at your own pace, from exploring the reef and coastline to simply slowing down and taking in the natural surroundings.

Just steps from the beach, guests have direct access to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef, one of the world’s largest fringing reefs.

Chris Tallent, CEO of Journey Beyond, states that the over $5 million refurbishment reflects the group’s strong focus on guest experience. This upgrade signifies a key milestone for this unique accommodation, which is the only one in Cape Range National Park.

“The new look and feel remains true to the natural beauty of Sal Salis, with a refurbishment that is sensitive to the environment and designed to sit harmoniously within its surroundings. The evolution of Sal Salis reflects our commitment to continually elevating the guest experience and is about making an already special experience even better. We’ve focused on the details that matter to our guests, while keeping the barefoot luxury that makes Sal Salis so unique,” Mr Tallent said.

The well-known global design firm Woods Bagot created the project, with a proven track record with Journey Beyond, including recent work on the acclaimed Aurora and Australis Suites—marking the latest advancements in luxury rail travel.

Woods Bagot Director Rosina Di Maria says the design draws its color palette directly from the surrounding landscape: coastline, land and sky, grounding the space in a genuine sense of place. “Materiality plays a central role, with color and pattern reflecting the terrain’s tactility and hues borrowed from the maritime environment.

“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, creating textural envelopes throughout the space. And rather than resisting the elements, materials are chosen to weather gracefully, durable enough to sit with the salt air and designed to silver naturally over time,” says Di Maria.

The project improves the entire guest experience, from arrival to relaxation, lounging, and dining. As soon as guests arrive and are welcomed, a peaceful atmosphere emerges, making them feel at ease. Sal Salis becomes a home away from home, offering tranquil spaces for reflection and lively areas for social gatherings.

Following the visual transformation, enjoy a refined culinary experience with modern dishes crafted from fresh, seasonal ingredients. These locally sourced plates incorporate hints of the bush and ocean, complemented by a selection of fully inclusive Western Australian wines, regional beers, and other beverages.

Sal Salis offers a distinctive experience. Beyond its on-site amenities, the team regularly organizes guided activities that change daily. Visitors can join sunrise gorge walks in Cape Range National Park and snorkel along the Ningaloo coast, which hosts over 500 species of colorful fish and 250 coral varieties. Kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are also available, allowing guests to explore the coastline directly from the camp.

For those wanting a more immersive experience with the region’s marine life, optional swims with whale sharks and humpback whales can be organized. Ningaloo Reef is among the few places globally where such encounters are available, providing a unique chance to swim with these iconic species in their natural habitat.

Bookings are now open for the 2027 season. To book your stay, visit salsalis.com.au. Follow and see more on Instagram.