Emirates has announced that its new resort in Australia is on schedule for a 'soft opening' on October 1st this year.

The Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa is located in the heart of the Blue Mountains region of New South Wales, not far from Sydney.

It was built on the same eco-friendly principles as Emirates' Al Maha Desert Resort and Spa in Dubai and is the airline's first luxury conservation-based complex outside the United Arab Emirates.

Joost Heymeijer, general manager of the new resort, said: "We are well on schedule for our October 1st soft opening.

"We have reached that very satisfying point in the development when the hard construction work is behind us and the focus shifts onto detail, quality finishing and preparation for operations."

Emirates provides flights to Sydney from its hub in Dubai. The airline also serves the Australian destinations of Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth.