Intrepid expands its accommodation offering

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Some of Australia’s most celebrated wilderness lodges have changed hands.

Melbourne-based Intrepid Travel has completed its acquisition of Wild Bush Luxury, adding a trio of wilderness properties to its new accommodation portfolio, Stay Intrepid.

Luxury tent, Bamurru Plains on the edge of Kakadu National Park.

The acquisition brings Arkaba Homestead in South Australia’s Flinders Ranges, Bamurru Plains on the edge of Kakadu National Park and Ooraminna Homestead, near Alice Springs, into Intrepid’s growing collection of independently bookable accommodation.

These locations join Daintree Ecolodge in Tropical North Queensland and Edge of the Bay on Tasmania’s Freycinet Peninsula as the cornerstone of Stay Intrepid. Morocco’s Riad Joudour is also part of the broader collection.

In building the foundations of Stay Intrepid, the company sought independently established properties with reputations of their own, each chosen for the experiences they already offer and their connection to place.

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“When we acquired Wild Bush Luxury, places like Arkaba and Bamurru were already doing something most accommodation can only aspire to,” says Richmond Sear, Intrepid’s general manager of accommodation, Australia. “We didn’t need to change them, we just needed to make sure more people could find them.”

All share a common emphasis on immersive experiences that encourage guests to engage with the destination rather than simply observe it.

Arkaba Homestead, Flinders Ranges, South Australia.

At Arkaba Homestead, just 10 guests at a time stay within a 24,000-hectare private wildlife conservancy in the Flinders Ranges. The beautifully restored homestead is an intimate base from which to explore this former pastoral land which is being restored for native wildlife. Guided walks, four-wheel-drive safaris and conservation experiences are some of the offerings.

Further north, Bamurru Plains overlooks the vast Mary River floodplains bordering Kakadu National Park. Raised on boardwalks above the wetlands, its mesh-walled safari bungalows blur the line between indoors and out, immersing guests in one of Australia’s richest wildlife habitats. Airboat safaris, wildlife drives and birdwatching excursions provide opportunities to encounter buffalo, agile wallabies, crocodiles and more than 230 bird species.

Near Alice Springs, Ooraminna Homestead offers a very different perspective on the Red Centre. Set among the ochre landscapes of Arrernte Country, the rustic accommodation is designed around the rhythms of the outback, with bushwalking, campfire dining beneath vast star-filled skies and opportunities to connect with the region’s landscapes and culture.

The acquisition also brings two of Australia’s best-known luxury walking experiences into the wider Intrepid family. The multi-day Arkaba Walk traverses the ancient landscapes of the Flinders Ranges on foot, while the award-winning Maria Island Walk combines wildlife encounters, dramatic coastline and convict history on Tasmania’s east coast.

Daintree Ecolodge is a tropical rainforest retreat in Tropical North Queensland.

Beyond the Wild Bush Luxury properties, Daintree Ecolodge immerses guests in the world’s oldest continually surviving tropical rainforest on Eastern Kuku Yalanji Country. Alongside rainforest-inspired wellness experiences, guests can join First Nations-guided cultural walks and basket-weaving workshops that offer insight into the traditions and stories of the Daintree.

On Tasmania’s east coast, Edge of the Bay enjoys a secluded waterfront setting overlooking Great Oyster Bay and the granite peaks of Freycinet National Park. Its atmosphere is that of a boutique retreat rather than a large resort, yet there is direct access to kayaking, coastal walks and one of Australia’s most celebrated natural landscapes.

Bamurru Plains sunrise airboat safari.

The collection extends beyond Australia to Marrakech, where Riad Joudour is an altogether different experience. Hidden within the city’s historic medina, the restored riad surrounds a tranquil central courtyard and places guests near bustling souks, artisan workshops and centuries of Moroccan history.

Wild Bush Luxury was previously owned by Experience Co, which included in its tourism portfolio skydiving, reef cruises and treetop adventures. The company described the wilderness business as highly regarded but no longer central to its long-term strategy, paving the way for Intrepid to expand beyond small-group tours into accommodation.

Each Stay Intrepid property retains its own identity, but guests will also notice a few common threads. Dedicated Community Connectors help arrange local experiences tailored to each destination, while restaurant menus champion regional produce and native ingredients.

Through The Intrepid Foundation, every property is also linked to a local environmental or community organisation, giving guests the opportunity to support conservation and community initiatives during their stay.

See intrepid.com/stay-intrepid

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Julietta Jameson is a freelance travel writer who would rather be in Rome, but her hometown Melbourne is a happy compromise.Connect via email.