If you have never heard of Kangaroo Island and thought Australia was all about the Great Barrier Reef and Ayers Rock think again.

For many years the locals have known that Kangaroo Island, located 13km off the South Australia mainland, is a haven for wildlife thanks to the island’s isolation from the mainland’s introduced pests. Now Kangaroo Island getting better known internationally and earning tags such as “Galapagos of the South Pacific” or the “zoo without fences”. Exotic and unusual animals are common on the island that most visitors will see exotic species such as: koalas, seals, sea lions, echindas, huge variety of birds, and yes there are a lot of kangaroos too!

Originally settled by whalers, Kangaroo Island is one of Australia’s oldest white settlements though not much of that colonial history is left. Visitors now come to look at the local wildlife, surf the notorious breaks, or enjoy snorkeling or diving in the pristine undersea environment. Kangaroo Island is starting to pitch itself to the international tourist who is looking for a close, but comfortable wildlife encounter. KI, as the island is known locally, can offer a lot of exotic wildlife from the ubiquitous local kangaroos and wallabies to the visiting New Zealand fur seals and sea lions

The downside to isolation was of course: well it was pretty hard to get to Kangaroo Island , and once you arrived on Kangaroo Island your accommodation options weren’t in the class that Luxury Destinations likes to write about. However, the recent launch of the prosaically named Southern Ocean Lodge has changed all that. The lodge has been built with a very firm eye on the view, the architecture takes a back seat to nature: a very smart decision that. The architect, Max Pritchard, is a local and it shows in his sympathetic design. To help with that isolation, Southern Ocean Lodge is happy to arrange a charter of a light plane from Adelaide, the nearest city if the regular flights or the ferry schedule from the mainland don’t fit yours.

The boutique Southern Ocean Lodge consists of only twenty-one suites each of which are positioned to ensure that from everywhere, including the bathroom you can appreciate the breathtaking ocean wilderness views. The rooms are strung along a board walk so every room appears to enjoy the best view.

All the “normal” five star facilities are there including complimentary room bar. There are a range of room available but Luxury Destination’s pick is the:

“premium Osprey Pavilion is truly special with soul stirring ocean, beach and wilderness views. A unique curved floor plan features a sunken lounge with open fire and state-of-the-art audio visual system, laptop computer, separate king bedroom, bathroom with hand sculptured bath and spacious outdoor terrace with daybeds and private plunge spa.”

There is also a spa to relax in, after all that wildlife spotting. The Southern Ocean Lodge features contemporary bespoke furnishings and artworks commissioned from local Kangaroo Island artisans.

There is a minimum two night stay but five nights would make for the perfect break in this remote and beautiful island. The lodge’s rates includes all meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, island airport transfers and guided adventures. The wine list features excellent wines from South Australia’s Coonawarra, Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills and Clare Valley regions.

Southern Ocean Lodge