A snapshot of news in the media around the reopening of Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island.
Conde Nast Traveler USA
Conde Nast Traveler editors highlight the bright ideas in travel for 2023 – the players, places and projects moving the industry into the future.
The idea: After being destroyed during Australia’s Black Summer bushfires in 2020, the iconic Southern Ocean Lodge was rebuilt and will reopen in December 2023 with a focus on sustainability and fire resilience.
Why it matters: In 2020, bushfires burned more than 72,000 square miles across Australia, including almost half of South Australia’s Kangaroo Island. Three years later, the island’s tourism industry is still recovering, in large part due to the destruction of its world-renowned Southern Ocean Lodge. The reopening is a boon for local producers of every kind and will help support Kangaroo Island’s economic recovery.
How it works: Southern Ocean Lodge will officially reopen on December 6, 2023, and will largely maintain the original lodge’s footprint—though each of the 25 suites has been reoriented ever so slightly to offer even better views of the ocean and coastal wilderness. Upon reopening, the lodge will highlight exclusively local and seasonal food and beverages, from fresh-caught seafood to South Australian wine and beer. To protect against future fires, a 65-foot wilderness buffer—consisting of fire-retardant native succulents and the area’s own endemic juniper—has been planted around the lodge.
To read the full article, click here.
Lonely Planet
Qin Xie discovers Kangaroo Island is more resilient than ever post the devastating wildfires and COVID-19 and is building back a more sustainable future for the community.
“Southern Ocean Lodge, which burned to the ground during the fires, is reopening in 2023. It sits on 252 acres of private land, of which just 2.5 acres have been cleared for the hotel – with the rest protected for future generations. As part of the rebuild, native plants have been reintroduced as fire breaks, and a solar farm will generate electricity on site, allowing it to operate on a low-impact, off-grid basis.”
To read the full article, click here.
SMH – Traveller
Julietta Jameson highlights the new generation of game-changing hotels for Sydney Morning Herald’s Traveller.
“Whether they’re big, bold or boutique, the world is embracing a new breed of hotel. From new openings to new directions, here’s what travellers can look forward to in the world of hotels and resorts.
Baillie Lodges’ award-winning Southern Ocean Lodge will reopen on December 6 with a new look but also with a lot of the features that made it so loved. After fire destroyed the Kangaroo Island luxury resort, the architect Max Pritchard who created the original structures, and his team set about creating the new Southern Ocean Lodge with a very similar footprint. However, new to the property is the ultra-premium Ocean Pavilion, which can be a single offering for families and friends. There’s also a wet-edge pool, and the Southern Spa has three treatment rooms, a gym, sauna and hot and cold plunge pools. Bookings are now open southernoceanlodge.com.au.”
To read the full article, click here.
For further updates and to book your future stay, visit www.southernoceanlodge.com.au.
For more details, view the lodge website or contact the lodge directly below.
