by Where is he?
A twenty minute flight from Adelaide in South Australia, on Kangaroo Island. Considered the Galapagos of Australia, Kangaroo Island is home to a dizzying array of wildlife and a ruggedly beautiful landscape. The 23 rooms of the Southern Ocean Lodge stretch like a caterpillar, long and low along cliffs overlooking the ocean.
Style
At the request of founders, James, and Hayley Baillie, the original architect of Southern Ocean, Max Pritchard returned with his team to recreate 2.0. The original Lodge, which was the flagship of the luxury collective, Baillie Lodges, was catastrophically burnt to the ground in bushfires in 2020, except for a statue of a kangaroo that sat in the lobby. More than a decade later, Pritchard seized the opportunity to install cutting-edge technology, setting new benchmarks for environmental sustainability in the tourism industry in everything from rainwater harvesting to solar power. 45,000 biodiverse indigenous plants have been propagated on site and planted to create a natural buffer from the surrounding desert. And of course, the fire prevention infrastructure has been significantly upgraded.
The interior is dominated by mellow limestone and glass walls that reflect the stunning landscape outside at every turn and turn. Complementing the scheme is art from local Janine Mackintosh, whose stunning ‘leaf mandalas’ are made from eucalyptus leaves she has collected from the island. A new luxe suite is also woven through the rooms in the form of eco-smart fireplaces, as well as blinds and lights that rise and fall at the push of a button. But the biggest change is that Pritchard has reoriented all the rooms to the south-east, giving guests a direct view from their bed of one of nature’s most impressive landscapes, or from the indulgent bathtubs that sit alongside behind the glass walls.
Food & drink
It starts in your room, with premium wines from Kangaroo Island’s The Islander winery, in your complimentary mini bar, accompanied by local cheeses. At sunset every evening there is an open bar in the Great Room, where you can order a cocktail or explore South Australian wines. The Lodge’s prestigious cellar has an open door policy so guests can drop in to choose a wine to have with their dinner.
Food comes courtesy of Chef Tom Saliba, who worked here before the fire, and is back delivering dishes that draw on the local bounty. Expect dishes like local smoked snook with berries, Parndanna Barramundi or Saltbush gnocchi.
Facilities
Another new feature of the Lodge is a Spa right next to the main building in the same tempered limestone, with a sauna and outdoor hot and cold plunge pools and three indoor treatment rooms. The products used are the Australian made Alkeme spa care range. There is also a swimming pool at the top of the property with stunning views of the sea below.
extra curricular
Although Southern Ocean Lodge is a destination in itself for luxury travelers in search of wilderness, most people come to experience Kangaroo Island’s wildlife. The Lodge offers five Kangaroo Island experiences within your stay, from a guided night tour to see Koala Bears in their habitat to a visit to the Sea Bay which is home to one of Australia’s largest Sea Lion populations.
If that doesn’t quench your thirst for the natural world, book a trip with Exceptional Kangaroo Island (from £310, exceptionallakangarooisland.com) should be able to find some endangered glossy black cockatoos for you to see as well as Tamar wallabies, monitor lizards and if you’re lucky, echidnas. The recovery of flora and fauna after the 2020 wildfires is remarkable and new green growth is almost emerging on top of the charred trees. Wildlife species that were thought to be extinct have also recently appeared, and the koala population can be found in eucalyptus trees across the island. Very happy situation.
Which room?
All the rooms are beautiful. Typical Flinder’s Sites have sunken seating areas with a curved sofa in front of the fireplace, an outdoor terrace where you can sit and listen to the waves and bathrooms with showers and tubs and a view. If you want to go all out, you could go for the Remarkable or Osprey Suites which come with a private pool. Families are now well catered for at the new Baillie Pavilions which offer two two bedroom houses, with a private pool, which can be connected or used separately.
Best for
At the top of so many bucket lists around the world, this is one for well-heeled lovers of nature, who will want to return and return, not only to the Lodge but to the island that offers different pleasures every season. It’s also a perfect honeymoon destination, with its stunning sunsets and luxurious rooms, from which you can watch whales pass by in the ocean below.
Details
Rates at Southern Ocean Lodge include all meals, the famous open bar, five Kangaroo Island nature experiences and airport transfers and start from AU$3,400 (£1,700) per couple, per night. southoceanlodge.com.au
Mary traveled to Australia as a guest of Tourism Australia. For more information visit australia.com
