The flagship property under Australia-based luxury lodge collection Baillie Lodges has reopened nearly four years after being ravaged by a fire in January 2020. 

The new-look Southern Ocean Lodge, set on the south coast of South Australia’s Kangaroo Island, welcomed its first guests last week. 

The property’s original architect Max Pritchard led the recreation of the property, retaining all the features best loved by guests previously and introducing some “considered extras”. 

The new iteration of Southern Ocean Lodge holds almost the same footprint as the original property, with the Great Room taking centre stage and 23 guest suites set along the coastline, all featuring private decks, an EcoSmart fireplace and bathtub.

Small design manoeuvres include reorientating the suites to open towards to the south-east in order to capitalise on the views.

New to the property is also the ‘ultra-premium’ Ocean Pavilion, which can either offer a single four-bedroom owner’s residence or two separate two-bedroom suites.

The Great Room now boasts a wet-edge pool and the Southern Spa features three treatment rooms, a gym, sauna and hot and cold plunge pools.

Sustainable technologies have been implemented, including boosted rainwater capture and solar power generation, smart building materials and a remote-controlled sprinkler system.

Baillie Lodges has also reinvigorated the surrounding natural environment, with 45,000 biodiverse native plants propagated onsite and planted in a natural “buffer” from the wilderness. 

Baillie Lodges co-founder James Baillie said opening the recreated Southern Ocean Lodge was both a “real privilege and an emotional day” for the whole team.

“We feel very fortunate to be able to present the new-look Southern Ocean Lodge to the world,” he said.

“[Co-founder] Hayley [Baillie] and I had lived and breathed the original lodge from the concept and planning stages to its award-winning reality, celebrated for its timeless design.

“With the benefit of hindsight and learning, we saw the chance to rebuild Southern Ocean Lodge as a special chance to return the property that seemed to touch so many guests over the years and with some considered additions to take her to a next generation traveller and a sustainable future.

“It’s a ‘full-circle moment’ for us and one that brings some closure to the past, as well as an optimistic look towards the future and an even more sustainable, leading experiential tourism offering for South Australia.”

Hayley added: “We’ve been buoyed by the unwavering support of so many of our guests and the broader tourism industry for which we’re very grateful, and we’re thrilled to be bringing Southern Ocean Lodge back today.”

Rates at Southern Ocean Lodge start from around £1,800 per couple per night, including all dining, an open bar, five signature Kangaroo Island experiences and airport transfers.