The Berkeley River Lodge rebuild after damage wrought by Cyclone Fina is tracking ahead of schedule with the resort ready to reopen on 1 May.
Just six weeks ago the luxurious property, set atop a dune at the mouth of the Berkeley River in Western Australia’s Kimberley region overlooking the Timor Sea, was impacted directly by the strong Category 3 system.
In a LinkedIn post, the resort owners said Fina hovered over the property for almost 12 hours, destroying three of the 20 villas and causing significant damage to two others.
“The Kimberley is a land of unforgettable extremes. In November, we felt the full force of that untamed power,” co-owner Rachel Bromage said. “The majority of villas received superficial damage that can be restored with our planned refurbishment. The central lodge was largely unimpacted, while our staff accommodation was extensively damaged.
“We are very grateful that completed upgrades from the last two off-seasons were not affected, including the pool decking, balcony decking, interior floors and open-air bathroom walls.
“We had electricians, builders and other key contractors onsite within a week of the cyclone. The initial phase of the rebuild focused on restoring essential services and clearing debris across the site.
“Repairs to roofing, decking and other exterior cladding are now well underway, with final interior finishes to be completed shortly. We are only accessible by air, and multiple barges carrying new furniture will arrive over the coming months,” she said.
Work is progressing quickly and purposefully, with the reopening on 1 May, 2026.
Part of this next chapter includes capping guest numbers to a maximum of 30 guests onsite at any one time for the 2026 season, and even further refining the experience.
“This shift, born out of necessity – will result in a deeper sense of privacy, seclusion, and personalised service. It is a new level of intimacy that few places in the world can offer.
“Rather than simply rebuild, we are taking this time to truly refine and reimagine all elements of the Berkeley experience aligned to the final stages of a planned refurbishment – ensuring that when we reopen, guests will step into a lodge that is not only restored, but thoughtfully renewed.
“The dunes around us will also regenerate and regrow across the remainder of the wet season, painting the wild landscape our guests have come to know and love,” she said.
The all-inclusive experiences at the resort will include a gourmet Barefoot Barbecue, Kimberley Pantry and in-room mini bar, Kimberley Spa and The Dreaming signature massage, and Morning Movement Sessions.
