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Southern Ocean Lodge
signalling a new chapter

As we help the Kangaroo Island community to recover from the 2020 bushfires and plan the recreation of Southern Ocean Lodge, the original website is still very much live and is a wonderful source of memories, Kangaroo Island information and inspiration for planning return trips in the not-so-distant future. To discover ways to contribute and be part of the KI recovery story, keep abreast of news and ultimately plans for the rebuilding of Southern Ocean Lodge, be sure to check-in regularly.

Read the latest updates

Southern
style

With floor-to-ceiling windows commanding mesmerising views of the Southern Ocean, twenty-one luxurious suites cascade along the coast, offering an easy encounter with the lodge's breathtaking wilderness setting.

Find your suite

Into
the wild

Widely acclaimed as Australia’s Galapagos, Kangaroo Island is home to an abundance of native wildlife and spectacular natural attractions. Southern Ocean Lodge is surrounded by pristine conservation sanctuaries and national parks.

Explore Kangaroo Island
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Keeping
it local

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
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Natural beauty

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...
Southern Ocean Lodge 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
Southern Ocean Lodge Kangaroo Island has come of age with your belief in it. Maggie Beer Australia's Favourite Cook

Latest News

SOD Thumb
Lodge Update

Turning of the Sod

Two years after Baillie Lodges’ award-winning
flagship property Southern Ocean Lodge was
razed in the Kangaroo Island bushfires,
company founders James and Hayley formally
marked the start of building in a sod turning
ceremony on the lodge’s original site on KI’s
remote southwest coast, breaking the ground
using a shovel retrieved from the ashes.

Read Journal
Build It Thumb.jpg
Press

Build It. They'll Come.

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!

Listen to Podcast
Sol
Lodge Update

Camp SOL Heralds New Beginning

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.

Watch feature
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Lodge Update

Southern Ocean Lodge 2.0

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.

Watch video
Hay Beach
Lodge Update

A Tale of Hope

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.

Read journal
Pygmy Icon
News

Little Possum, Big News!

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.

View article
hshshshs
News

Wild Kai a Koala Hero

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.

Listen Here
Glossy Black Cockatoo
News

Cocky Comeback

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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KIS
News

KI Spirits Celebrates Double Gold

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.

Read feature
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Press

From the Ashes

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.

Read feature
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News

RSPCA SA Wraps Up KI Rescue Plan

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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On the Socials

SA's Premier Marks KI Milestone

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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Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary_2
On the socials

Hanson Bay Sanctuary

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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SeaLink
News

Kangaroo Island is Open for Business!

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!

View feature
Julie cloth
How to help

Cut from the Cloth

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.

Visit shop
KIbees
News

Beekeepers Swarm on KI to Build New Hives

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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KI Dunnart
News

Renewed Hopes for KI Dunnart

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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Enchilada
On the socials

Enchilada Survives

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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Ron Eccelston Article
Press

Hoping for a Miracle

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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30 Reasons to Visit KI
News

30 Reasons to Visit KI

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.

Visit website
KI Spirits
On the socials

KI Spirits

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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Islander news item
News

A Remarkable Rock

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.

Visit website
KI Visitor Guide Update
News

New KI Travel Guide

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.

View guide
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Press

Treasure Island

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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Road-trip for Good
News

Road Trip for Good

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.

View website
The Islander Estate_1
On the socials

The Islander Estate - Buy Direct

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!

View website
Seal Bay Reopen
News

Seal Bay Conservation Park

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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Islander news item
News

Holiday Here This Year

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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News

Buy Them Out!

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.

Visit shop
dolphins
News

Isle Where Locals & Wildlife Cast a Spell

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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