A new luxury lodge is set to open on a 200-sq km working cattle property in the floodplains of the Northern Territory in May 2022.

Located south-west of Darwin, Finniss River Lodge is owned by the Venturin family and has undergone a three-year transformation to ready the property for the arrival of guests.

“Seeing the lodge coming together, not just as we imagined but even better, is extremely rewarding and exciting to think that welcoming guests is now just months away,” said Finniss River Lodge Owner, Robert Venturin.

“While Finniss River Station has operated since 1987 as a grazing property for Brahman cattle, we have never been able to see past the potential for sharing it with others.

“It’s impossible to ignore the landscape’s glittering, albeit surreal natural beauty which transforms throughout the day to culminate in the most intense, fiery sunsets that must be seen to be believed.”

The six-suite lodge sits on the edge of a vast floodplain with each room offering expansive views of the land and its winding waterways.

Hurley Hospitality Creative is managing the wilderness escape and aims to offer a premium level of service to guests.

“There is no doubt that Finniss River Lodge will be a birdwatcher’s paradise and for camera enthusiasts, the photogenic early morning mists, spectacular sunsets and natural fauna will be out of this world,” said Hurley Hospitality Creative Principal Consultant, Matthew Hurley.

“We want our guests to have immersive and unforgettable experiences and that means providing a range of extraordinary activities with exceptional guides.  Learning bush survival skills and hunter gathering dinner ingredients will be all part of our Finniss River Lodge story.”

The property is accessible from Darwin via a 25-minute charter flight or a 90-minute drive and is expected to appeal to the top-end traveller and families.

During their stay, guests can take advantage of the wet-edge pool and locally inspired dining, with all meals cooked to guests’ personal preference using fresh, locally sourced produce. The plethora of wildlife in the area is also expected to delight guests with flocks of magpies, geese, and brolgas, and the iconic saltwater crocodile.

There is also the opportunity for guests to immerse themselves in cattle station life, undertake wild adventures, airboat rides and barramundi fishing, and learn about Indigenous culture in nearby Litchfield National Park.