Showcasing exclusively local and regional produce, dining at Southern Ocean Lodge plates up a gastronomic journey of Kangaroo Island and the greater expanse of South Australia.
A taste of Kangaroo Island
The Southern Spa is a private oasis of calm, perched high on a cliff top among coastal mallee and commanding dramatic views of the Southern Ocean.
Kick back and relax...
The architecture is as timeless as the cliffs themselves! We cannot think of a single thing you could do better, everything is absolute perfection – including the tours and skilled guides who have excellent knowledge of the Island history and wildlife. We adore this unique place and our time here will be one of our favorite memories!Paul & Adrienne, USA January 2018
Kangaroo Island has come of age with your belief in it.Maggie Beer Australia's Favourite Cook
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Southern Ocean Lodge as we embark on our recovery journey.
Baillie Lodges founders James and Hayley meet journalist Helen Dalley on her popular podcast, ‘Build it. They Will Come’ to chat about the joys and challenges of building luxury lodges in Australia and overseas. It’s perfect timing as we look forward to the rebuild of flagship Southern Ocean Lodge 2.0 on Kangaroo Island. Stay tuned for more!
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Eighteen months on from the bushfire, the Southern Ocean Lodge site has been cleared. Small teams of friends and industry colleagues banded together in a series of working bees, led by intrepid Lodge Managers John Hird and Alison Heath and documented on film by 57 Films.
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March 29 marks the date the lodge doors first opened thirteen years ago. New plans for its successor, dubbed SOL 2.0, will make the most of the now blank canvas site on Kangaroo Island’s wildly beautiful coast. Max, James and Hayley discuss the journey ahead in a new short film by 57 Films.
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One year after the devastating fires that destroyed Southern Ocean Lodge, James and Hayley address plans for the highly anticipated SOL 2.0. The rise of SOL 2.0 will be documented by Adelaide-based filmmaker Paul Ryan of 57 Films - watch the trailer here.
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A Little Pygmy Possum has been found on Kangaroo Island for the first time in almost a year. A conservation team made the discovery during a recent wildlife recovery initiative in the wake of the devastating bush fires. ABC News reports on the delightful sighting here.
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Sydneysider Kailas Wild drove several hundred kilometres to Kangaroo Island where fires had ravaged the local bushland and the koala population. Then he put his skills as an arborist to good use, scaling gum trees to rescue as many injured koalas as he could. Join the ABC Conversations podcast here.
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In what has become an almost daily event, the team at Exceptional Kangaroo Island have spotted endangered Glossy Black-Cockatoos feeding among trees planted as a food source in the wake of the fires. ABC News also reports 23 hatchlings have been discovered!
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Tucked away from the rest of the world, Kangaroo Island Spirits has been cleaning up the biggest awards on both sides of the Atlantic. Both their Wild and O Gins were rated higher than any other Australian gin in the ‘Oscars’ of world spirit competitions.
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The Islander Estate Vineyards on Kangaroo Island was one of many Australian wineries to be severely impacted by the bushfires over summer in the southern hemisphere. But as notable wine reviewer James Halliday writes, they are determined to rise again.
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Led by former Southern Ocean Lodge guide Melanie Lambert, the RSPCA has decommissioned the last feeding stations on Kangaroo Island, marking a milestone in the gradual scaling back of its bushfire emergency response.
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Six months after the devastating fires destroyed 96% of the park, Flinders Chase National Park has reopened for self-drive visitors to share in the bushfire recovery journey, prompting Premier Steven Marshall to witness the significant regeneration for himself.
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Our neighbours at Hanson Bay Sanctuary are helping surviving koalas and kangaroos resettle in their bushland home with bunches of fresh eucalyptus leaves making the transition so much easier.
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The locals on Kangaroo Island are in recovery mode. Here's why they need you to visit - and why you'll want to visit. Spoiler alert - the reasons include wildlife watching and gin tastings!
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Designer Julie Paterson created the ‘kanga’ fabric exclusively for Southern Ocean Lodge, and opened sales to the public as a fundraiser for the KI wildlife.
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In an effort to help the renowned 'bee utopia' recover, teams of Adelaide beekeepers have travelled to Kangaroo Island and built 500 new beehives for local producers impacted by the devastating summer bushfires.
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With the threat of extinction looming following the bushfires, Kangaroo Island’s endemic dunnart, a small sooty-grey coloured marsupial has been captured on camera at a new location boosting hopes for the species' survival.
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We just couldn’t believe it when our resident echidna, Enchilada was spotted wandering along the pathways at Southern Ocean Lodge a week after the fire.
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SA Weekend magazine editor Roy Eccleston scoops the exclusive, speaking to James and Hayley Baillie, managers John Hird and Alison Heath and architect Max Pritchard in this nail-biting story.
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For those planning a roadtrip to KI, a passage on the SeaLink ferry is the start of a great adventure. SeaLink is offering free transfers for KI residents and their friends and family.
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The award-winning, locally-flavoured gins produced by the Lark family at KI Spirits are already a reason to visit the distillery on KI; with $10 per bottle sold online and in the tasting room donated to the KI Bushfire appeal we think it’s a win-win with gin!
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The people of Kangaroo Island are showing the world they’re a resilient bunch, a close-knit community which is rallying together to come out stronger.
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Tourism Kangaroo Island has been fast to turnaround an updated travel guide, offering visitors the latest information on what to see and do on this incredible island.
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When the flames were doused on South Australia's Kangaroo Island, locals faced another battle - the perception that all was lost. Travel Insider's Di Webster visits and finds the reverse.
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Newly launched website Road Trip for Good makes it easy to plan a trip to support regional businesses affected by fire – already quite a few KI businesses are onboard.
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One of Kangaroo Island’s best-loved wineries, the Islander Estate has plenty of wine stocks. Order direct here. Open a bottle (or three), share it with friends, tell them about KI and repeat!
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Good news from Kangaroo Island as iconic natural attraction Seal Bay Conservation Park reopens, home to Australia’s third largest sea lion colony. More reason to travel to KI!
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Tourism Australia has launched a new campaign to get Aussies to go on holidays again… Like we needed any encouragement! Discover more here.
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A new online shop front brings Kangaroo Island's producers of food, wine, beverages and arts together in one handy hub. Fill a basket with isolation essentials (and some treats!) for a taste of KI at home.
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The Australian's Christine McCabe ponders the KI spirit, the one that draws visitors back again and again, musing 'time slows and the wider world seems to melt away'. Take a moment and get travelling in spirit...
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