Travellers often have the same concerns and you can find answers to commonly-asked questions below. If you can’t find what you’re looking for in our FAQ, please view our polices or contact us.
FAQ
Inclusions
- What's included in the tariff?
A stay at the lodge is generously all-inclusive of breakfast, lunch and dinner with inspired daily changing menus, open bar with premium wines and spirits (a cellarmasters list is available at an additional cost), in-suite bar, signature experiences and return Kangaroo Island Airport transfers.
Airfares are not included.
- What are the included signature experiences?
An itinerary of guided adventures offers guests a firsthand encounter of the island renowned as Australia’s Galapagos. Guests encounter the sea lion colony at Seal Bay, walk along the limestone clifftops, visit the landmark Remarkable Rocks and enjoy a sundowners in a bushland sanctuary as shy-by-day marsupials venture out to graze at dusk.
Experiences are provided on an intimate shared basis with fellow guests at scheduled times. A personalised itinerary is created for each guest and presented on arrival at the lodge. Touring may also be arranged on a private basis for an additional charge, subject to availability.
Guided Adventures & Duration
Wonders of Kangaroo Island – 4 hours
Seal Bay – 3 hours
Southern Sundowners – 1.5 hours
Nocturnal Explorer – 1.5 hours
Coastal Clifftop Walk – 1 hour - Is there complimentary wifi?
Complimentary wifi access is available throughout the lodge.
- Is there an airport transfer service?
The lodge operates complimentary airport transfers connecting with scheduled flights to and from Kangaroo Island Airport shared with fellow guests. Upon arrival, meet the Southern Ocean Lodge guide adjacent to the luggage carousel. On departure, guests are invited to enjoy the lodge’s exclusive airport lounge extending the experience almost to the run way.
Policies
- What time is check-in/check-out?
Check-in time is 2pm and check-out time is 10.30am. Where possible, flexibility with early check-in and late check-out will be provided, in the meantime guests are welcome to enjoy the lodge’s generous guest spaces including the restaurant and lounge areas.
Please note: check-in and check-out is unavailable on Christmas Day.
- What is the lodge's smoking policy?
The lodge has a no-smoking policy in all suites and shared common areas. To smoke, please step outside onto the terrace.
- What is the minimum age for check-in?
Southern Ocean Lodge welcomes children ten years and over.
- What is the payment policy?
A credit card is required to confirm a reservation. All bookings require full prepayment two months prior to arrival. We accept Visa, Mastercard or American Express or direct deposit. Payments by Visa or MasterCard attract a 1.6% surcharge; payment by American Express attracts a 2.47% surcharge (surcharges subject to change).
- What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellations and booking amendments received between 60 and 30 days prior to arrival will incur a 50% fee. Within one month prior to arrival all monies paid will be forfeited.
No refunds or credits can be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services, or unused nights due to travel and/or weather disruption. For peace of mind, we recommend you protect yourself with comprehensive travel insurance to cover any cancellation fees.
- Travelling well
For the safety and wellbeing of all our guests, we recommend travelling only when feeling well. Standard confirmation, payment and cancellation terms apply for all reservations, including any guest bookings impacted by Covid-19 complications. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
- What is the leisure group policy?
Location
- How do you get to Kangaroo Island?
Kangaroo Island sits a mere 15 kilometres from the shores of mainland South Australia. As Australia’s third largest, the island is 155 kilometres long by 55 kilometres wide. QantasLink operates 40-minute flights connecting Adelaide to Kangaroo Island Airport on most days. Ferry transfers between the mainland and Kangaroo Island are operated by SeaLink.
- What is the dress code?
Reflecting the easy-going Australian way, dress is smart casual at Southern Ocean Lodge. It’s a relaxed dinner dress code, with no jacket required. Comfortable walking shoes, a warm top and weather-proof jacket are recommended year-round. In the cooler months, it’s best to pack versatile clothing that can be layered. A hat and sunscreen are every-day essentials.
- What is the weather like?
A destination with year-round appeal, Kangaroo Island’s is as dynamic as the scenery: from season to season the island yields fresh perspectives. A Mediterranean-style climate produces warm summers perfect for dips in the cool Southern Ocean and temperate winters when the wildlife is at its most active. Daytime temperatures range from 25-35°C in summer to 14-18°C in winter.
- What is the currency?
The official currency of Australia is Australian Dollars (AUD).
- What is the time zone?
Located off the mainland of South Australia, Southern Ocean Lodge follows Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) which is 10 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT +10).
- What is the language?
English is the official language of Australia. Southern Ocean Lodge acknowledges the First Nations people who are the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and the more than 250 Indigenous languages and dialects alive and spoken today.
- What is the electricity connection?
Mains voltage in Australia is 230V 50Hz. The plugs in Australia have two flat metal pins shaped live a ‘V’ and some may contain a third flat pin in the centre.
- Is there mobile/cell reception on Kangaroo Island?
Mobile/cell reception is limited to Telstra and most affiliated carriers on Kangaroo Island (however, calls can be made using WiFi via various apps such as WhatsApp). All major credit cards are accepted at Southern Ocean Lodge.
Dining
- Do you offer room service?
As the lodge thrives on a convivial atmosphere, full in-suite dining isn’t offered.
- Do you cater for dietary requirements?
As the lodge is situated in a remote destination, it’s essential to advise any special dietary needs at the time of reservation. We will do our best to tailor menus accordingly whilst providing opportunity to enjoy a diverse range of premium regional produce. Should notice not be provided in advance, our chefs will endeavour to prepare suitable meals with the ingredients available. We regret we are unable to prepare meals requiring strict religious observance in the preparation.
- What hours are meals usually served?
The Restaurant is open as follows:
Breakfast 7.30am – 10am
Lunch 12.30pm – 2.30pm
Dinner 7pm – 9pm
Lodge
- Do you have a fitness centre/gym?
There is a small, well appointed gym onsite available for guest use, located in the Southern Spa.
- Is there a swimming pool?
A infinity-edge outdoor swimming pool is located adjacent to the main lodge.
- Are there walking or hiking tracks from the lodge?
For those wishing to explore, a series of walking trails commences from the lodge doorstep traversing limestone cliffs, bushland tracks and pristine beach shores. Perfect for the adventurous to undertake at their own pace.
- Is parking available at the lodge?
Parking for private vehicles is available at the property.
- Are the lodge and included activities wheelchair friendly?
Accommodation at Southern Ocean Lodge includes the dedicated wheelchair/mobility-accessible Flinders Suite featuring level floors and a modified bathroom fitted with aides separate to the main bathroom. It’s located close to the main lodge and is accessible to the central guest areas.
A stay at Southern Ocean Lodge includes signature guided experiences exploring Kangaroo Island. Transport to and from each excursion is via the fleet of lodge touring vehicles which offer generous seating but which are not equipped with ramps or lifts. Guests need to be able to step up into the vehicles. Wheelchairs and aids need to be folded and stored in the boot. Guests and their travel companions need to be willing and able to assist with lifting themselves and any equipment in and out of vehicles.
Some areas of the locations visited on lodge tours are not easily accessible for guests with limited mobility or wheelchairs.
Need more information?
For more information about Southern Ocean Lodge and the other properties in the Baillie Lodges portfolio please download our brochure.