Journey Beyond has welcomed the first of its guests to stay at South Australia’s newest premium hotel, Monarto Safari Resort.
“I am delighted to welcome our very first guests to the property today,” Monarto Safari Resort owner, Gerry Ryan OAM, said. “This project has been carefully nurtured and developed alongside the amazing team at Monarto Safari Park over many years, and I am thrilled to see the doors finally open. With Journey Beyond at the helm of this unique destination hotel, every guest is assured an exceptional and memorable experience.
“I invite all who come to Monarto Safari Resort to take in the breathtaking natural beauty of the surrounding land and animals roaming it, knowing that their stay directly supports vital conservation initiatives at the Park. As a portion of each guest’s stay will be donated to these important programs, helping to protect and preserve the extraordinary animals and environment for generations to come. It’s a holiday experience with meaning.”
The resort gives visitors a new way to experience one of South Australia’s treasures, Minister for Tourism and Trade, Don Farrell, said.
“Monarto is truly unique, with the largest open-range safari park in the world and an incredible array of animals. South Australia is the best place in the world, and this 78-guest room new resort elevates our already fantastic offering for tourists,” he said.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said the opening of Monarto Safari Resort presents a significant opportunity for South Australia, driving significant economic benefits for the state.
“The resort is creating jobs and has already drawn bookings from interstate and overseas visitors. This will have a flow on effect and stimulate growth in surrounding areas. Moreover, the resort’s commitment to conservation and education reinforces South Australia’s reputation as a leader in sustainable tourism,” he said.
“Australia’s largest safari park already welcomes visitors from around Australia and the world. The addition of Monarto Safari Resort is an outstanding addition to the park and our state and will allow guests to linger longer during their stay.”
Serene wellness retreat
The resort also features a world-class day spa rooted in nature ‘Marula’, the serene wellness retreat includes treatment rooms, vitality and cold plunge pools and sauna. As well as conference and function spaces, ‘Kutjera’ restaurant, two swimming pools and 20 luxury tents as part of the luxury Safari Lodge which will open later in the year.
“At the heart of all our brands are exceptional experiences that provide guests with an unparalleled journey,” Journey Beyond CEO Chris Tallent said. “Monarto Safari Resort delivers this in spades connecting them with the natural beauty and conservation efforts of the area. Monarto Safari Resort is the largest of its kind in Australia, and places you in the front row of nature’s greatest theatre.”
Wildlife preservation and eco-tourism are aligned with Journey Beyond’s commitment to Journey Lightly.
“Sustainability and conservation are at the heart of everything we do, it’s a natural partnership between Monarto Safari Park and the resort which will undoubtably become a premier destination for nature enthusiasts,” Zoos South Australia chief executive, Dr. Phil Ainsley, said.
“Our keepers have been working behind the scenes to introduce herds of African animals into Wild Africa and the new waterhole precinct. It will be a thrill for guests to watch giraffes and zebras grazing and hear the low rumblings of animals while they drift to sleep. The resort is immersive by design.”
Monarto Safari Resort merges African and Australian cultural influences, celebrating migration and nature. The design blends local materials like Kanmantoo Bluestone and Harlequin Granite with eclectic textures and natural tones. It highlights craftsmanship from both continents, creating a unique sensory experience deeply rooted in South Australia’s distinctive mallee landscape.
“The interiors take their cues from the Monarto landscape, its dryness, its low horizons, and its ever-changing palette of ochres,” Studio Garm director, Graham Charbonneau, said. “We also embraced the Australian idea of casual luxury, spaces that are refined but not precious, where the experience is led by the environment rather than the architecture. A design that enables awe without disruption.”
For those drawn to deeper encounters, the resort offers exclusive guest-only safaris across the 550 hectares of the Wild Africa precinct. At dawn and dusk, when the animals are most active, guests can board custom-designed vehicles for intimate game drives, led by knowledgeable guides. You might spot zebras silhouetted against sunrise or southern white rhinoceros emerging from the grassland. Back at the resort, a sundowner deck overlooking the watering hole promises another kind of spectacle.
