Southern Ocean Lodge
Minimalist, contemporary Australian coastal — clean lines, neutral tones, organic materials. Warm and first-name-basis service. No TVs in regular suites (only in the Baillie Pavilion). The vibe is resolutely about the landscape, not about being seen.
Book the spa before you arrive — it's reserved exclusively for in-house guests and treatment times fill up fast
Why It Matters
Australia's first true all-inclusive luxury lodge and the property credited with creating the modern experiential luxury lodge category in Australia. Originally opened in 2008. Destroyed by bushfire in 2020. Rebuilt and reopened December 2023 to near-universal critical acclaim — Robb Report top 5 hotels globally (2024), Travel + Leisure 100 Best New Hotels, AFAR World's Best New Hotels 2024, Luxury Travel Gold List trifecta winner. Now holds Two MICHELIN Keys.
Southern Ocean Lodge perches on limestone clifftops above the Southern Ocean on Kangaroo Island — rebuilt from scratch after the devastating 2020 bushfires and reopened in December 2023. Designed by Kangaroo Island-born architect Max Pritchard, the lodge combines floor-to-ceiling glass, limestone floors, blackwood feature walls, and EcoSmart fireplaces to pull the wild landscape directly into every room. Fully all-inclusive — meals, open bar, signature guided experiences, and return airport transfers — it is Australia's original benchmark for experiential luxury, now Two MICHELIN Keys holder and voted #1 accommodation in Australia in the 2024 Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards.
Where You'll Stay
6 room types available
Baillie Pavilion
East and West wings combined into a single 625m2 owner-style clifftop residence — what the COO calls 'six or eight New York City apartments'. Four bedrooms, up to 8 guests. The apex of the property: two infinity pools, panoramic ocean views, full private residence layout. For family buyouts or a group of close friends who want the run of the place.
Four King Beds · 625 sqmBaillie Pavilion East
Half of the clifftop Baillie Pavilion — a 283m2 two-bedroom suite with a dedicated entertainers' lounge, dual bedroom wings, and a horizon-edge pool that sits at the top of the limestone cliffs. Perfect for a family of four or two couples who want their own private corner of the lodge.
Two King Beds · 283 sqmBaillie Pavilion West
The larger of the two separate Pavilion wings at 342m2. Majestic 180-degree ocean views, a gravity-defying central fireplace, sun terrace, and an infinity-edge pool. Two bedrooms for up to 4 guests. The TV is here — it's the only suite category with one.
Two King Beds · 342 sqmFlinders Suite
The workhorse of the lodge — 21 of the 25 suites are Flinders Suites. Floor-to-ceiling glass frames uninterrupted Southern Ocean and rugged coastline views. The bed is re-angled so you can watch the ocean (or stars) from the pillow. Sunken lounge with limestone-clad EcoSmart fireplace sits below the sleeping platform. Private outdoor terrace. Limestone floors, blackwood feature walls, and works by South Australian artists. Fits 1–2 guests; accessible variant fits up to 3.
King or Twin · 61 sqm
Osprey Suite
The premium single-accommodation suite on the property at 156m2 — the one to book for a honeymoon or major anniversary. Panoramic ocean views from every angle and striking architectural detail. Fits 2 guests.
King · 156 sqm
Remarkable Suite
Two bedrooms with a shared luxury living space — great for families or a group of four who want more room to spread out. Both bedrooms have king beds and ensuite bathrooms with rain showers and bathtubs. A curved lounge with EcoSmart fireplace and a private plunge pool make this the suite to book if you plan to linger.
Two King Beds · 142 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
2 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Combines a free-flight birds of prey experience with a visit to Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park for close-up encounters with iconic Australian animals.
A guided evening walk into the darkness of Kangaroo Island to spot nocturnal wildlife. A rare and genuinely special experience — not available at most lodges.
Lodge naturalist guides lead an exclusive beach-level tour among Australia's third largest colony of Australian sea lions at Seal Bay Conservation Park, about 45 minutes from the lodge.
Self-guided walk starting on the lodge's doorstep atop the limestone cliffs of Hanson Bay — bird's-eye views of the thundering waves below. Options range from a 7km loop to a half-day trek.
A marine encounter with wild dolphins in the bay — one of the lodge's most popular bespoke experiences.
Complimentary use of e-bikes to explore the surrounding landscape at your own pace.
Half-day guided tour through the wilderness of Flinders Chase National Park — Remarkable Rocks, Admiral's Arch, and extraordinary wildlife spotting including koalas and echidnas. Considered the most essential island experience.
A raised boardwalk leads directly from the lodge down to the windswept shore of Hanson Bay. Walk it at dawn or dusk for dolphin sightings and osprey overhead. No guide needed.
Hosted by Canon Master photographer Richard I'Anson — a four-night photographic expedition of Kangaroo Island's wildlife and coastal landscapes, limited to 10 guests. Runs August 11–15, 2026. From AUD$7,600 per person twin share.
A guided tour connecting guests directly with Kangaroo Island's celebrated producers — a lavender café, heritage wool shed, pure Ligurian honey farm, and the island's only 5-star Halliday-rated winery.
A full-day private arrival experience via Seal Bay, a private bush camp barbecue lunch, Little Sahara dune fields, Point Ellen and Vivonne Bay, ending at Hanson Bay. Priced from AUD$2,516 for 1–2 guests.
A nightly ritual — guests gather in the Great Room for sundowners while watching the Southern Ocean light change. Staff-guided, included in stay.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
An intimate, fully equipped meeting lounge for boutique corporate incentives and events.
Help-yourself walk-in cellar stocked with hand-selected South Australian wines, many available exclusively from the cellar door. Included in the tariff (a Cellarmasters premium list is available at extra cost).
Open bar with premium SA wines, craft beers, spirits, lodge's own Baillies 9 gin and honey liqueur. Fully included in the tariff.
Intimate gym located in the Southern Spa building, overlooking the coastal heath.
Every suite has a complimentary in-suite bar stocked daily with KI cheeses, nougat, chocolates, soft drinks, juice, wine, and beer — all from Kangaroo Island or South Australia.
All suites feature EcoSmart fireplaces (limestone-clad in most suites).
All suites feature heated floors, climate control, wireless internet, music system, safe, espresso machine, and South Australian loose-leaf tea.
Wet-edge pool on the Great Room terrace, lined along the clifftop with views of the Southern Ocean.
An onsite boutique carrying lodge merchandise and curated KI products. Lodge credit (in some packages) can be used here.
Hybrid solar and battery infrastructure powers the lodge off-grid. Reverse osmosis system converts bore water to fresh water; 5.8M litre potable water storage capacity. 45,000 biodiverse native plants replanted on site as fire buffer.
Complimentary return transfers between Kangaroo Island Airport (KGC) and the lodge — a 50-minute shared transfer. Private transfers available at additional cost.
E-bikes available for guest use to explore the surrounding property and coastal tracks.
BUILD YOUR SOUTHERN OCEAN LODGE PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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