Luxury Kangaroo Island Southern Ocean Lodge prepares for reopening after being destroyed in 2020 bushfire

A high-end Kangaroo Island destination has set a date for a grand reopening, nearly four years after it was destroyed in the catastrophic bushfires.

The remains of the luxury resort Southern Ocean Lodge after fire ripped through Flinders Chase National Park on January 4, 2020. Picture: Emma Brasier

The owners of a luxury lodge destroyed in the catastrophic 2020 Kangaroo Island bushfires are preparing for a grand reopening.

Work to rebuild Southern Ocean Lodge has been ongoing after the bushfires tore through the property and it’s slated to reopen in early December.

After community support for the rebuild of the Lodge and significant demand, parent company Baillie Lodges founders Hayley and James Baillie were excited to announce the reopening.

“We’re very fortunate to have had the support of the Kangaroo Island community, the tourism industry, media and our loyal guests over the past three years during which we have been rebuilding Southern Ocean Lodge and regenerating the surrounding coastal wilderness,” Ms Bailey said.

James Baillie in front of a burning table a couple of days after the fire destroyed the iconic Southern Ocean Lodge in January 2020. Photo: Supplied

The bushfire approaches the Southern Ocean Lodge foyer on Kangaroo Island before it was destroyed. Picture: supplied

The Southern Ocean Lodge is destroyed by the KI bushfires. Picture supplied

Southern Ocean Lodge, which opened in 2008, provided luxury accommodation in the island’s southwest, also supporting local businesses though its commitment to using produce from the region.

Mr Baillie said there had already been significant demand for the reopening of the luxury accommodation.

“As we head towards the reopening of Southern Ocean Lodge at the end of the year, guests are already keen to book in to stay, which is a wonderful feeling for the whole team,” he said.

“We’ll shortly announce a ‘bookings open’ date in early May, and in the meantime we’re keen to make the most of the broader community’s interest and goodwill by giving back to those organisations who routinely go above and beyond to help others.”

Mr Baillie had previously said securing insurance was the “single biggest potential impediment” to the rebuild, in the wake of the blaze that swept vast parts of island from December 2019 to January 2020.

Managers John Hird and Alison Heath with construction manager Matthew Giltrap and owner Hayley Baillie on the far right. Picture: Baillie Lodges

Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island, SA, before it was destroyed in 2020 by bushfires. Photo: George Apostolidis/Supplied

Baillie Lodges is auctioning off three preview stays of three nights to winning bidders who wish to be the first in the refurbished accommodation.

Winning bids will stay between December 5 to 8 for an all-inclusive experience including guided excursions of Kangaroo Island’s landscape.

The auction is now open and will close on April 24.

Proceeds of the auction will be put towards The Royal Flying Doctor Service, The Maggie Beer Foundation and The KI Country Education Fund.