Mr & Mrs Smith

Sal Salis

Ningaloo Reef, Australia

Fringed by coruscating coral and lapped by the lusciously warm waters of the Indian Ocean, Sal Salis is a remote, beachside bush camp nestled snugly in the dunes of the Cape Range National Park near Ningaloo Reef. 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 Nine tents, including one family tent.
• Rates Double rooms from $1214.93 (AU$1,245), excluding tax at 10 per cent.
  Prices have been converted from the hotel's local currency (AU$1,245), via XE.com, using today's exchange rate.
• More details Rates include all meals, a selection of drinks and guided activities (snorkelling, kayaking, visits to Yardie Creek and gorge walks). There’s an AU$150 night supplement for family tent 5 when occupied only by two.
• Facilities Library, snorkelling gear. In rooms: 500-threadcount organic cotton bedlinen, hand-made native-herb soap, eco-friendly toiletries, ensuite with Nature Loo (composting toilet) and hand-pumped shower, fan, hammock. All power is solar-generated and there is no WiFi access or mobile phone reception.
• Poolside There's no pool at Sal Salis except the pristine marine wonderland on your doorstep.
• Check-out 11am, but flexible. Check-in, 2pm.
• Children Sal Salis welcomes kids aged four and over and can provide extra beds for AU$365 a child a night, when sharing.
• Eco-friendly It's not every hotel that has composting toilets or relies exclusively on solar power. Sal Salis also manages water tightly and does not allow any waste to enter into the neighbouring Park's fragile ecosystem.
• Hotel closed The camp is closed from 10 January–9 March inclusive; in the case of unscheduled closure (the odd cyclone, say), a full refund is given.
• Also There’s a minimum two-night stay. If you’re planning an intimate beach wedding, hire out the whole camp and throw a romantic reception on the deck of the main lodge, lit by lanterns with ocean views.

Food and drink at Sal Salis

• 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 Steve Irwin-style shorts and fleeces, rather than fancy threads.
• Top table Swapping stories round the communal table is all part of the fun here, but if you fancy romantic dining à deux, ask to eat out at the little lantern-lit table atop a nearby dune under the stars.
• 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 soft drinks, wine, beer and spirits from the informal bar in the main lounge.

Also worth knowing

• Weddings This property is suitable for weddings. More...

Sal Salis Yardie Creek Road, Cape Range National Park, Ningaloo Reef, 6707