Only 90 minutes from Darwin on a sealed road, the secluded retreat offers the ultimate experience for executives, corporate teams, wildlife fanatics and discerning travellers seeking something truly extraordinary. 

From the moment you arrive, the lodge makes a statement. Built to capture the vast floodplains of the Finniss River, the main pavilion opens to panoramic views that stretch to the horizon and is complete with infinity pool and sunbeds. Wall-to-wall glass doors let the outside in, where vibrant birdlife, grazing cattle and crocodiles add a David Attenborough touch to every day. 

Finniss River Lodge offers just six private suites, each an oasis of ultimate comfort and design. Light-filled rooms with king beds, ensuites the size of a small apartment with rainfall showers, and private decks create the perfect environment to relax, reflect and reconnect. Every detail has been considered, from luxury linen to the curated minibar stocked with premium Territory produce, including their own small batch of Waterlily Gin. I’m told the purple-infused lilies are an aphrodisiac, but after a few G&Ts on the deck, who really cares what its botanical qualities are – it just tastes delicious. 

At the heart of the lodge is the Venturin family, generational stewards of this remarkable property. Born in Italy, Leo Venturin found his way to Australia in 1961. On his arrival, he heard that the pay rate was better if you weren’t afraid to venture north. 

As a boilermaker by trade, he found himself in high demand as he moved north through Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Katherine and finally Darwin. Within a couple of years, he started his own construction company, Venturin Constructions. Specialising in remote construction jobs. 

In 1987, Leo bought Finniss River Station. He is now in his eighties, with four children and eight grandchildren. Finniss River Station has been running Brahman cattle for more than 30 years and is still exporting to international markets. 

On a return trip to Italy, Leo told his mother Theresa that he branded her initials on 3000 cattle. The Finniss River brand is TLV, Theresa Leo Venturin. Theresa wasn’t aware that all Territory cattle properties must include the letter “T” in the brand, but nonetheless she was very proud. 

Leo also started Carla Furnishers, named after his daughter. There are wild stories of Leo and his lifelong mate Tony Pickering driving an old truck to Queensland to buy mattresses after Cyclone Tracy and driving back. These stories and many more reflect the entrepreneurship of someone who saw an opportunity and ran with it. 

Deeply connected to the Territory and passionate about sharing their space, the Venurins have thoughtfully transformed a section of their working cattle station into one of Australia’s most exclusive luxury lodges. 

The station is managed by Robert Venturin and the lodge is managed by his daughter Olivia, Leo’s eldest granddaughter. As third generation, Olivia represents past, present and future at Finniss River Lodge and she knows the 50, 000 acre property like the back of her hand, living and working on the station her whole life. 

The family’s vision for high-end hospitality blends understated elegance with personalised country warmth, offering guests not only a place to stay but a rare and personal experience of life in the Top End by the people who own it and live it. Their presence is felt in every corner of the lodge from the welcome at check-in, exceptional art collection and decor, to the curated experiences by Peter, who has worked on and off the station since the nineties. They are all proud of the property – and it shows. 

But it’s not just the accommodation that makes Finniss River Lodge a standout — it’s also the ideal destination for corporate retreats, private board meetings and executive getaways. The property’s private setting and intimate scale foster productivity and focus, far from the distractions of corporate life. 

Whether you’re planning a full-day strategy session, an exclusive leadership retreat, or a high-stakes client long lunch for 10-20 people or a milestone celebration, the lodge delivers an experience that’s both professional and profoundly memorable – and it’s tax deductible as a business expense.

For corporate guests in the wet or the dry season, the lodge offers flexible meeting spaces, state-of-the-art presentation facilities and high-speed internet. Yet what truly sets it apart is its ability to blend business with Territory experiences – birds, buggies and breakfast, guided fishing charters, lunch under a canopy of trees, served by a private chef as kites circle above. Before wrapping up your business meeting with international guests, with an afternoon jetboat experience skimming across the floodplains or a close-up canapes with the cows in the paddock, champagne in hand.

Food is another highlight and as someone who has eaten her way around the world, I was impressed. A well-stocked wine fridge, including some of the finest reds, or an icy cold beer make Finniss River Lodge an oasis with class.

Every meal at Finniss is an experience and nobody leaves the table disappointed – chef-curated from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, including barramundi and presented with the sophistication of a signature restaurant. For private lunches, the chef can prepare a custom menu served in one of the lodge’s many breathtaking settings: on the deck at dusk, by the billabong at midday or in the dining pavilion under a blanket of stars. They also have weddings booked in for 2026, including Olivia’s own big event.

Beyond the lodge you can connect with nature through bespoke experiences — heli-fishing adventures, scenic flights over Litchfield landing in the creek bed for a private swim, or wildlife safaris across the 200 square kilometre property. It’s a twitcher’s paradise with bird hides, brolgas and more than 200 species to see, including more than 1% of the world’s populations of Magpie Geese and Pied Herons, and high densities of many other waterbirds. 

The floodplain supports important breeding activity and three large waterbird breeding colonies are located in paperbark swamps on the floodplain. Five threatened birds are reported in this region and the site has been nominated as a national High Conservation Value Aquatic Ecosystem.

As a long-term Territorian, Finnis River Lodge gets my full recommendation. Whether you’re entertaining key clients, looking for a Christmas lunch with a difference, rewarding top performers, or simply needing space to think and unwind, it delivers an unmatched corporate escape infused with the spirit of the Territory. 

BOOKINGS AND INQUIRIES 

To plan your SKI TRIP, long lunch, executive retreat or private event at Finniss River Lodge, visit www.finnissriverlodge.com.au or contact the lodge directly at: 

P: 0467 949 215 

E: bookings@finnissriverlodge.com.au 

Advance booking is recommended, especially during the dry season (May–October). It’s a perfect airconditioned destination for the build-up and “green” season to watch the storms and lightning roll through. Families are accommodated, but it’s not recommended for children under the age of six. Note: Finniss River Lodge is closed from mid-December to the end of January. TQ