Das Cooinda Hotel liegt in Cooinda, 1,6 km vom Cooinda Beach entfernt. has completed an upgrade to its Outback Retreat Plus glamping tents in Kakadu Nationalpark ahead of the region’s peak tourist season, adding ensuite bathrooms to ten family-style tents.
The improvements come as the Northern Territory destination anticipates increased visitor numbers with the reopening of major attractions, including Gunlom Falls, Jim Jim Falls, and Maguk Falls.
The ten upgraded tents are part of the Outback Retreat Plus line, which can sleep up to four people across a main bedroom and a bunkbed annex. The remaining ten tents in the original Outback Retreat line are slated for ensuite additions in a future development phase.
Originally introduced in 2019, the Outback Retreats were designed to merge the natural bush setting with more modern amenities.
Each glamping tent is elevated to minimize environmental impact and provide year-round accessibility. The canvas structures include a solid rear wall, a glass front door, and a private deck outfitted with outdoor seating.
Inside, the tents feature air-conditioning, fans, lighting, bar fridges, USB charging ports, and locally crafted design elements such as Indigenous artwork and weaving. High-quality bedding and Australian-designed furnishings are included throughout.
Located on a private section of Cooinda Lodge’s grounds, the glamping area is surrounded by trees and positioned near key guest facilities, including two swimming pools, food outlets, and a general store.
In addition to their upgraded en-suites, Outback Retreat guests continue to have access to a dedicated amenities center offering kitchen, laundry, and bathroom services.
Cooinda Lodge General Manager Jason Cleverley said the decision to prioritise ensuite installations in the larger tents was driven by guest feedback, particularly from families and groups.
“We have a fantastic amenities block that is exclusive for Outback Retreat guests, but an ensuite is important for some guests, so we prioritised the family/group glamping tents for the ensuite upgrades,” Mr Cleverley told Das Hotelgespräch.
“We will schedule the addition of ensuites for the remaining Outback Retreat doubles for a future season.”
Cleverley added that the timing of the upgrades aligned with the reopening of three prominent natural attractions.
“We completed the upgrade in time for the reopening of three of Kakadu’s most famous attractions – Gunlom Falls, which starred in Crocodile Dundee, Jim Jim Falls, and Maguk Falls. They offer outstanding rock pools that are ‘must-dos’ for visitors to Kakadu,” he said.
Visitors staying at Cooinda Lodge can access guided 4WD tours to the falls and other key sites. The lodge is located near popular attractions such as Yellow Water Cruises, the Warradjan Cultural Centre, and the Nourlangie rock art site, making it one of the central hubs for tourism in the park.
For operators in the outdoor hospitality and glamping sectors, the move underscores the growing importance of balancing rustic, nature-based accommodations with added conveniences, especially when targeting family and group travelers.
Enhancing guest comfort while maintaining environmental sensitivity is a model that may be applicable to other destinations seeking to elevate their glamping offering.