Key Takeaways
- Berkeley River Lodge, a four-star resort in the East Kimberley, was severely damaged by tropical cyclone Fina, with three of its 18 villas completely destroyed.
- The resort was not insured due to unsustainable premiums, leaving the owners to bear the cost of repairs.
- The cyclone caused significant damage to the guest villas, central lodge, and surrounding buildings, with winds of up to 260km/h.
- The owners plan to reopen the resort for the 2026 season, despite the extensive damage, and are currently assessing the full extent of the damage.
- The cyclone warning remains in place for the King George River mouth to Berkeley River mouth, and further east to the Cambridge Gulf, with damaging winds and heavy rain expected to continue.
Introduction to the Damage
The Berkeley River Lodge, a luxury resort located in the East Kimberley, has suffered significant damage due to tropical cyclone Fina. The cyclone made landfall in the area, bringing with it winds of up to 260km/h and causing widespread destruction. The resort’s co-owner, Rachel Bromage, spoke to 6PR Breakfast about the extent of the damage, revealing that three of the resort’s 18 guest villas were completely destroyed. The villas that were not destroyed suffered damage to their roofs or exterior cladding, particularly in the open-air bathrooms.
The Decision Not to Insure
Bromage explained that the resort was not insured due to the high cost of premiums. She stated that the premiums had become "unsustainable" and that the owners had to balance the risk with the viability of the business. This decision has left the owners to bear the cost of repairs, which is likely to be substantial. The staff accommodation and shed were not built to cyclone rating, and as expected, they did not withstand the strong winds. The owners are now faced with the task of repairing and rebuilding the damaged structures, which will be a significant undertaking.
Assessing the Damage
The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, but it is clear that the cyclone has had a devastating impact on the resort. The central lodge and surrounding buildings were also damaged, with exterior panelling and roof damage reported. The water and power services are no longer operating, and the staff accommodation has extensive damage. The two caretakers who were on site during the cyclone were fortunate to escape unharmed, and since the resort was closed at the time, no visitors were affected by the damage.
Plans for Reopening
Despite the extensive damage, the owners of the Berkeley River Lodge are hopeful that they can reopen the resort for the 2026 season. The resort was mid-way through a major renovation, which included new interior floors, villa balcony decking, and screens around the open-air ensuites. The owners are currently assessing the damage and the impact it will have on the 2026 season, but they are planning to proceed with the refurbishment as scheduled. The resort’s capacity is limited to just 36 guests, and it aims to offer an exclusive and luxury experience. The owners are determined to restore the resort to its former glory and provide a unique experience for their guests.
The Cyclone’s Impact
Tropical cyclone Fina has had a significant impact on the region, with damaging winds and heavy rain affecting a wide area. The Bureau of Meteorology has downgraded the cyclone to a category one system, but a tropical cyclone warning remains in place for the King George River mouth to Berkeley River mouth, and further east to the Cambridge Gulf. The remnants of the cyclone are likely to continue to produce showers and thunderstorms for the Northern Kimberley and nearby areas of the Northern Territory throughout the rest of the week. The cyclone has caused significant disruption to the region, and it will take time for the affected areas to recover.
Conclusion
The damage caused by tropical cyclone Fina to the Berkeley River Lodge is a significant setback for the resort and its owners. However, the owners are determined to rebuild and restore the resort to its former glory. The decision not to insure the resort has left the owners to bear the cost of repairs, but they are hopeful that they can reopen the resort for the 2026 season. The cyclone has had a significant impact on the region, and it will take time for the affected areas to recover. The Berkeley River Lodge is a unique and exclusive resort, and its reopening will be a welcome boost to the local economy and tourism industry.