Sal Salis

In keeping with the philosophy of ‘Wild Bush Luxury’, the focus of your stay at Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef is the wilderness around you and its marine and land inhabitants. Your accommodation is designed to expose you to the sights and sounds outside your tent ... a Red Kangaroo grazing amongst the dunes, the beautiful song of a Butcherbird or a Humpback Whale breaching just beyond the reef.

However, it is also appreciated that while an exclusive bush experience does not need to be 5 star in the traditional sense, there are a few key comforts that are crucial: a supremely comfortable bed, 100% cotton linen (500 thread count), a choice of pillows, soft bath towels, an en suite bathroom, delicious food and great hosting.

The main camp building is raised above the sand and coastal scrub with views out to the reef and breakers beyond. Dinner is hosted against a backdrop of rich orange sunsets over the Indian Ocean and in the cool of the evening kangaroos and wallaroos appear from the bush for their evening graze.  A bar and open lounge area with a small reference library provides a great spot to sit out the heat of day or enjoy a quiet sundowner.  The chef provides contemporary Australian cuisine with hints of bush food and native produce, guests may help themselves to the self-service bar at any time.

The camp has been designed to operate in tune with the fragile environment of Cape Range National Park and as such they abide by strict principles of minimal impact and sustainability.  All of the lodge's power is solar generated, each en suite bathroom has a natureloo (marketing jargon for state of the art composting loos!), water usage is very carefully managed and no waste material escapes into the surrounding ecosystem.  Native herb soaps and ecologically sound shampoos are provided.  The tents are spacious and naturally comfortable – they are not intended to be 5 star hotel rooms in the bush so do not offer TVs, telephones, minibars or other modern appliances.

The World Heritage Area of the Ningaloo Coast provides one of Australia’s great marine experiences, while the limestone backdrop of the Cape Range hides deep gorges of spectacular beauty.   The coral reef is literally on your doorstep and the guides are passionate and knowledgeable people who love showing you their backyard – over 500 species of fish, 250 coral species and 600 species of mollusk.  Ningaloo is known as one of the best places on earth to see and swim with Whale Sharks and Manta Rays. It is also a major breeding area for Hawksbill, Green and Loggerhead Turtles, which are seen daily in front of the camp.

Sea Kayaking: Kayaks are the perfect vessel for exploring the reef with minimal interference to the ecosystem. Travel by kayak to some snorkel spots further off shore where you drop an anchor in the sand to snorkel.

Snorkeling: A drift snorkel just a few meters offshore reveals a wealth of life, with huge staghorn coral formations, anemones, Clownfish, rays and sponge gardens.  All snorkeling gear is provided.

Wildlife Viewing: Red Kangaroos, wallaroos, rock wallabies and Gould’s Goannas are resident in the park while the birdlife includes Pied Butcherbirds, Fairy Wrens, Kestrels, Zebra Finches, Reef Herons, waders, seabirds and the occasional Emu that strolls through camp.

Guided Gorge Walks: Two kms behind the camp, a walk up Mandu Mandu gorge is a step back in geological history with fossil bearing limestone formations and spectacular views back to the coast.  The history of 30,000 years of human habitation in this area is slowly unfolding from studies of artifacts, middens and rock shelters.

Fishing (additional cost): With the continental shelf being only a few kilometers offshore Ningaloo Reef is a spectacular and diverse fishing destination. The lodge can arrange game, reef and bone fishing from the camp.

Whale Shark charters (additional cost): April to July is the season to swim with the Whale Sharks as they migrate through these waters. There are special Whale Shark packages available during this time.

Marine Wildlife cruises (additional cost): From April to August wildlife marine cruises can be arranged to locate Manta Rays, Humpback whales, and Dolphins.  These are full day excursions departing on selected days.

Yardie Creek: Take a guided cruise or walk through this spectacular multi-colored gorge in search of Black-footed Rock Wallabies.  Yardie is the only gorge in the area with permanent water and its mangrove areas provide roosting sites for many bird species while the sheltered waters are a sanctuary for marine animals.

Star Gazing: Lie back on the beach and gaze at the Milky Way stretching from one horizon to the other.