‘The hotels of the future are all about their lush environment’, writes Christine Chitnis, an aspect that was key in the rebuild of Southern Ocean Lodge. Writing for Traveller, Ben Groundwater reflects on the rebirth of Southern Ocean Lodge, rebuilt five years after bushfires. Guests savour fine dining and signature tours to sites like Seal Bay, yet his joy comes at dawn, watching the ocean horizon glow with colour places to stay Eastern Kangaroo Island - a daily reminder of renewal woven into the lodge’s very foundations. Southern Ocean Lodge has been recognised with the American Express Travel One To Watch Award for 2025.
Each has a parking ticket booth (Parkeon) that you can use to register and pay for your night on the site. These machines accept cash, or if you are at American River, Vivonne Bay, or Brown Beach campground, you can also pay by card. No booking is required, and these campgrounds are available on a first-come, first-served basis. This park has a fantastic central location, which is perfect for exploring Kangaroo Island. It is pet-friendly and offers unpowered pitches with lockable boxes that allow you to charge your small devices. Ozone Hotel Kangaroo Island is just 10 minutes' drive from Kingscote Airport.
Designed for privacy, comfort, and connection to nature, each villa offers a spacious King Bed, large-screen TV, and modern, stylish interiors with stunning bay views. Surrounded by native bushland, you’ll enjoy total seclusion while still having access to all the hotel’s facilities — including our pool, restaurant, and bar. Southern Ocean Lodge aims to provide an iconic accommodation experience on Kangaroo Island and is designed to be a sanctuary of comfort, style and personal intimacy, redefining the Australian standard.
Set in a true farmscape setting you get the best elements Kangaroo Island has to offer, unadulterated views surrounded by nature. Kangaroo Island’s luxury accommodation market offers real variety across price points and stay styles. Designed as an exclusive owners’ residence, the ultra-premium Baillie Pavilion crowns the clifftop to offer sweeping panoramas of sky and sea. Set adjacent to the main lodge and combining the East and West wings, the four-bedroom hideaway is ideal for couples and friends or multi-generational families travelling together.
Celebrated around the world as the genesis of experiential luxury in Australia, Southern Ocean Lodge crowns the wildly beautiful clifftops on Kangaroo Island in South Australia. The award-winning lodge comes complete with breathtaking views of the Southern Ocean, the magnificent Great Room with its floor to ceiling windows and string of luxurious guest suites easing along the coastline. Combining contemporary design, world-class dining and a personal connection with nature, Southern Ocean Lodge celebrates the resilient spirit of Kangaroo Island, its wildlife and its community. Kangaroo Island is one of the last remaining, truly unspoiled places on earth and an unmissable place to stay in Australia. The vast wilderness is full of incredible views, pristine beaches, stunning coasts, and so much wildlife. We’ve listed all the best places to stay on Kangaroo Island, from luxury retreats to unique stays.
The owners hold strong ethos around conservation, eco living and sustainable travel. The property is completely off-grid, using solar power and rainwater, a comfortable living area, and showcasing sustainability using simple principles. Couldn’t get enough of the large windows that bathed the villa in light and provided an excellent view to the nature and wildlife right outside our door. Expect to see kangaroos everyday and you might get lucky and see some echidnas or koalas. There is a fireplace for the colder nights and an amazing bath that looks out to the stars. Nothing was too much trouble, from the helpful tips to best appreciate the island, to the cut wood and set fire and the perfectly furnished villa.
There are no neighbours in sight at Wild Side Ocean Retreat, but we are close enough to civilisation to allow you to explore all the gems of Kangaroo Island. False Cape Wines is our nearest neighbour, located a 10-minute drive down the dirt road from the house. Also in the area is Dudley Wines – a must-visit for the view alone.
Both the new villas and the refurbished bay view rooms are expected to be available for the peak 2025–2026 summer season, including December 2025 and January 2026. In addition to the new villas, a full refurbishment of the existing bay view rooms within the main building is also set to commence. This will include new bathrooms and a complete internal upgrade, once again under the management of Hospitality International.
With its relaxed atmosphere and beautiful surroundings, the Kangaroo Island Seaside Inn is an ideal spot for couples looking to unwind and enjoy a romantic getaway. Each Kangaroo Island Villas at Ecopia Retreat is designed for ultimate relaxation and luxury. With floor-to-ceiling windows, private decks, and spacious interiors, guests can immerse themselves in nature without sacrificing comfort. The retreat is committed to sustainability, utilizing solar energy and eco-friendly practices to minimize its impact on the environment. Deep within the emerald embrace of Flinders Chase National Park, the Flinders Nest Wilderness Villas rise as a testament to eco-friendly opulence.
There are several transport options to and from Kangaroo Island to suit domestic and international travellers. Against Kangaroo Island’s stunning natural backdrop, several food and wine producers have created a distinguished epicurean community. Fresh seafood, local produce and wines from the acclaimed South Australian wine regions of the Coonawarra, Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, and Clare Valley combine to create a feast for the senses. A private half-day journey linking two of the island's most remarkable destinations, with wild shores, extraordinary wildlife and the Southern Ocean never far from view. Each room and villa features thoughtful amenities including tea and coffee facilities, free WiFi, and a fridge to keep your refreshments cool. Our new villas offer enhanced space, premium finishes, and an added sense of privacy for those looking to indulge.
The Haven Kangaroo Island is a luxurious retreat designed for couples seeking romance and relaxation. Located in the tranquil area of Vivonne Bay, this stunning property features private villas that offer breathtaking views of the coastline and surrounding bushland. Twenty-five luxury suites ease along the curve of Kangaroo Island’s limestone cliffs, each with open views of the Southern Ocean and rolling coastal wilderness. Think private access to the beach below, surrounded by pristine and natural beauty, plus access to timelessly designed and eco-friendly accommodation for up to 10 people. The lavish outdoor bath and shower areas overlooking the ocean epitomise and multiple entertainment areas complete the serenity of this private retreat.
Natalie Lang brings exceptional industry experience along with a warm smile and passion for the details to her role as Assistant Lodge Manager. Well-versed in the challenges and rewards of remote luxury lodging, she provides invaluable support to Robyn in offering guests an extraordinary encounter of Kangaroo Island’s natural playground. Envisioned by Baillie Lodges founders James and Hayley Baillie, Southern Ocean Lodge was designed by Kangaroo Island-born architect Max Pritchard, opening in 2008 to instant global acclaim. Over the next decades, the lodge has won multiple awards from the world’s most esteemed publications and remains a benchmark for experiential luxury travel.
"I spent 4 days here while solo-traveling andI have never felt more at peace in my life. "This was by far the highlight of our vacation. Would recommend a thousand times." A handful of world class wineries, breweries, and a distillery with seasonal gin and whiskey flights. The ocean turns from blue to gold to black, and the sky fills in behind it. Each pod is named after the southern constellations above your deck and powered by the elements. No agenda, no social performance, and no one who needs anything from you here.
The on-site organic farm offers farm-to-table dining experiences, letting guests partake in everything from gathering fresh eggs to enjoying them in gourmet breakfasts. The old barn, converted into a luxurious cinema, screens classics under the island’s starry sky. Australia’s third-largest island, Kangaroo Island is nothing short of breath-taking.
One of Kangaroo Island's most romantic luxury-based nature escapes
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