Southern Ocean Lodge

Southern Ocean Lodge, a luxury retreat on Kangaroo Island

Southern Ocean Lodge presents itself as Australia's first truly luxury lodge and the birthplace of experiential luxury in the country. The lodge occupies an elevated clifftop setting on Kangaroo Island, South Australia, overlooking the Southern Ocean. Its contemporary architecture is built around a magnificent Great Room with floor-to-ceiling windows and a string of suites easing along the coastline. The property combines contemporary design, world-class dining and a personal connection with nature, and celebrates the resilient spirit of the island, its wildlife and its community.

Suites and pavilions

The lodge features twenty-five luxury suites easing along the coast, all with views of the Southern Ocean. These include the Flinders Suite, the Remarkable Suite and the Osprey Suite. In a commanding position atop the limestone cliffs stands the Baillie Pavilion, described as ultra-premium, with East and West variants. Each space seeks a direct encounter with the natural surroundings of the lodge.

Packages and stays

The lodge offers special packages with generous inclusions and additional benefits for extended stays. The catalogue features the Classic SOL package, for three nights or more with premium extras; the Beckons Escape, a shorter stay with generous inclusions; and Wildlife to Winery, which combines two nights at Southern Ocean Lodge with two nights at The Louise. The offering is completed with Signature Experiences, Bespoke Experiences, Private Itineraries, Self-guided Walks and Sample Itineraries.

Dining and local produce

The culinary offering relies exclusively on local and regional produce. The kitchen explores the larder of Kangaroo Island and the wider South Australian region, and the lodge emphasises its support for the community and the local economy. The dining experience is complemented by its own cellar.

Nature and surroundings

Kangaroo Island is described as Australia's Galapagos for its diverse wildlife and natural attractions. The lodge is located between Flinders Chase National Park and Seal Bay Conservation Park, making it a base for exploring the island. Activities mentioned include Signature Experiences, Private Itineraries and Self-guided Walks, with visits to places such as Seal Bay.

Wellness and spa

The Southern Spa is presented as a private sanctuary integrated into the landscape, overlooking hills of bushland. Its menu includes treatments with local botanicals, and the space features a gym, sun deck and hot and cold plunge pools.

Awards and recognition

The lodge has received numerous international accolades. In 2025 it was included in The World's 50 Best Hotels 51-100 list at #69, received the American Express Travel One To Watch Award, was named Resort of the Year at the Gourmet Traveller Hotel and Travel Awards, ranked #10 in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards as Best Resort in Australia and the Pacific, and was included in Robb Report's list of the 50 greatest luxury hotels in the world. In 2026 it was awarded three Michelin Keys and recognised in La Liste's World's Best Hotels 2026. It also appears in the Fodor's Finest, Esquire and Modern Luxury lists, among others.

History and reconstruction

Following the 2020 bushfires, Southern Ocean Lodge was rebuilt and reopened its doors. The recreation process, which spanned four years, was documented in the documentary 'Sunshine Rising', which captures the planning, construction and reactions of those involved in the project. The press has described this chapter as the rebirth of an Australian wilderness icon.

Lodge network

Southern Ocean Lodge is part of a group of lodges and hotels that includes, in Australia, Capella Lodge on Lord Howe Island (New South Wales), Longitude 131° at Uluru-Kata Tjuta (Northern Territory), Silky Oaks Lodge in the Daintree Rainforest (North Queensland) and The Louise in the Barossa Valley (South Australia). The collection extends to New Zealand with Huka Lodge in Taupō (North Island), to Canada with Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge on Vancouver Island, and to Chile with Tierra Atacama in the Atacama Desert and Tierra Patagonia in Torres del Paine National Park. Baillie Lodges and Tierra Hotels have united under the Beckons brand.