Kangaroo Island, Australia
Southern Ocean Lodge
Clifftop wilderness lodge
Clifftop wilderness lodge
Curving glass pavilions hug the limestone cliffs, facing Antarctic swells and a 220-acre wildlife reserve.
“Guests arrive at the Great Room, which serves as lounge, lobby, and restaurant, and it’s as breathtaking an entry as anyone could wish”
What it’s good at
Exceptional
High staff-to-guest ratios accompany custom guided itineraries and all-inclusive multi-course dining.
Remarkable
Max Pritchard's rebuild sets curved glass pavilions and local limestone along the windswept bluff.
Remarkable
Naturalist-led bush safaris encounter fur seals and kangaroos alongside menus championing Kangaroo Island marron.
What they say
Three Michelin Keys
Michelin
Forbes Recommended
Forbes Travel Guide
2026
UK Readers' Choice Awards – Australasia and the South Pacific
Condé Nast Traveler
2025
Also in The 50 Discovery and AFAR.
Bringing crisp minimal design out of the city and into the wild, Southern Ocean Lodge is a shining example of very modern and very Australian architecture: clean open spaces, neutral tones and tons of glass…
“Inside, neutral cream-colored limestone tiles and crazy pave stone feature walls mirror the surrounding limestone cliffs and etch the lodge into the landscape.”
Tucked away
A place apart: the property is the destination.
Boardwalks lead straight to Hanson Bay, and nearby Flinders Chase National Park is home to wild fur seal colonies.
1 of 4
The rooms
Every suite has a sunken lounge, an open fireplace, and a soaking tub with wide ocean views.
The pool
Bring a swimsuit.
A wet-edge horizon pool sits on the central terrace, backed by rough limestone walls and open ocean views.
The spa
Treatment rooms and timber loungers look across coastal heath, with bodywork scented by local eucalyptus and lavender.
The Restaurant
Curved glass windows look out across the coast, where daily menus feature American River oysters and local honey.
With its floor-to-ceiling windows, cliff-curbed construction and locally commissioned furnishings, Southern Ocean Lodge is more than just a hotel but a destination.
How it began
Rebuilt after the 2020 bushfires, the lodge salvaged only Sunshine, a wrought-iron kangaroo that now stands in reception.
“The 25 suites and public spaces stand side by side in a gentle curve along the coastline, offering an unobstructed view of the shoreline.”
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.