In the know

Our favourite rooms: Set in the dunes about 30 metres from the sea, the five spacious tents are perched on individual wooden platforms with ensuites at the back and a private deck out front (jostle with visiting kangaroos for the shade). Tents 1 to 3 are at the same level as the main camp, with 4 and 5 higher on the dunes – giving a better view of the sea but slightly further away. Our top tips are 1 or 5 for maximum privacy. The suite tent (number 5) comes with a semi-enclosed extended deck, ideal for either families (it can fit two swag beds for children) or honeymooners who fancy a larger lounge. Although comfortable, this is ‘wild bush luxury’, so don’t expect all mod cons.
Packing tips: Designer board shorts, your favourite Crocs and a fish-spotter's manual.
Also: Float out to Ningaloo Reef, a teeming rainbow of fish, dolphins, turtles and amazing spawning corals just yards from shore. It’s an incredible spot to swim with whale sharks, huge but peaceful beasts that migrate through these waters from April to June (the hotel can hook you up with local boat trips). You can also glide with manta rays and spot humpback whales (July to September). On shore, stroll the Persil-white sands or opt for a guided walk in the Cape Range National Park, a wild hinterland of rock, gorges and desert fringing the sea.

Sal Salis hotel, Ningaloo Reef, Australia

Current offers

Smith card offer: One-way scenic charter flight from Learmonth Airport to Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef (for a minimum two-night stay with two people travelling together).

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Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef

Ningaloo Reef, Australia[view map]

Style: Seaside safari, barefoot luxury
Setting: Cape Range coastal dunes

Fringed by coruscating coral and lapped by the lusciously warm waters of the Indian Ocean, Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef is a remote, beachside bush camp nestled snugly in the dunes of the Cape Range National Park. Sleep under canvas, dine under the stars and spend long, wonder-filled days underwater mingling with the manta rays, whale sharks and sparkling shoals of fish that also call this remarkable place home.

Need to know

Rooms: Five tents, including one suite.
Rates: AU$1,460–AU$1,610, including return road transfers from Exmouth or Learmonth, all meals, drinks and guided activities.
Check-out: 11am, but flexible. Earliest check-in, 2pm (sooner if booked, but early birds are welcome to use the public areas and luggage storage).
Facilities: Main lodge: library, snorkelling gear. In rooms: 500-threadcount cotton bedlinen, eco-friendly toiletries, ensuite with ‘Natureloo’ (composting toilet) and hand-pumped shower; fan, hammock.
Poolside: There's no pool at Sal Salis except the pristine marine wonderland on your doorstep.
Eco-friendly: It's not every hotel that has composting toilets or relies exclusively on solar power. Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef also manages water tightly and does not allow any waste to enter into the neighbouring Park's fragile ecosystem.
Hotel closed: The camp is open all year round, but in the case of unscheduled closure (the odd cyclone, say), a full refund is given.
Also: There’s a minimum two-night stay, but given its remoteness, you don't want to go for less. Power at Sal Salis is solar-generated.

Food & drink

Hotel restaurant: Guests dine together, hosted by staff, in the intimate main lodge, decked out with driftwood and shells. But just because you’re camping doesn’t mean you have to eat beans on toast; in fact, you’re more likely to be feasting on teriyaki emu rice paper rolls, baked Exmouth ruby snapper with wild lime beurre blanc or grilled lamb with blackberry sauce. Chefs whip up bush-influenced fare using local ingredients whenever possible.
Dress code: Bush basics not bling – pack camping-chic shorts and fleeces, rather than fancy threads.
Top table: Swapping stories around the communal table is all part of the fun here, but if you fancy romantic dining à deux, ask to eat under the stars at the little lantern-lit table atop a nearby dune.
Last orders: Breakfast is served from 6.30am to 10.30am; lunch from noon to 3pm and dinner from 6.30pm till late.
Room service: There’s no room service, but the main lodge dining area is just a short walk away.
Hotel bar: Help yourself to free soft drinks, wine and spirits from the informal bar in the main lounge.

Also worth knowing

Children: Sal Salis can cater for kids aged four or over and can provide extra beds for AU$342 a child a night when sharing. The camp can’t supply baby cots or babysitting services.
Weddings: This hotel is suitable for weddings. More…

Smith Members offer

One-way scenic charter flight from Learmonth Airport to Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef (for a minimum two-night stay with two people travelling together).

If you're a member of Mr & Mrs Smith, you can get special privileges at every Smith hotel you book through us. Just show your Smith card at check-in to claim the offer featured on every hotel page (like the one above).

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Book this hotel

To book this hotel please click here, or contact our travel team on 1 866 610 3867.