Berkeley River Lodge, a luxury resort on teh Kimberley coast, has been completely destroyed by Tropical Cyclone Fina, with co-owner Robert Plumridge revealing the property was uninsured. The remote 18-villa resort, undergoing a major renovation, sustained catastrophic damage Tuesday morning, throwing its planned May reopening and the 2026 tourism season into uncertainty.
The loss represents a notable blow to Western Australia‘s high-end tourism sector and the Kimberley region, which relies heavily on seasonal visitors. Plumridge stated the full extent of the damage is still being assessed, but the resort is “unrecognisable.” The lodge, catering to just 36 guests, offered an exclusive experience and was in the midst of upgrades including new flooring, decking, and ensuite screens.
Berkeley River Lodge was mid-way through a considerable refurbishment when Fina struck. The cyclone, which had weakened to a category one system by Tuesday, caused widespread damage along a stretch of the Kimberley coast. A tropical cyclone warning remains in place for the King George River mouth to Berkeley River mouth, and further east to the Cambridge Gulf, with continued risks of damaging winds and heavy rain.
Plumridge indicated the current plan is to still attempt to open in May to continue the full refurbishment, despite the devastation.The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts the remnants of Fina will continue to bring showers and thunderstorms to the Northern Kimberley and parts of the Northern Territory for the remainder of the week. The lodge’s capacity was 36 guests, aiming to provide a luxury experience.
