Baillie Lodges’ documentary records recovery from devastating Kangaroo Is blaze
The team at Baillie Lodges has unveiled a commissioned documentary called Sunshine Rising that charts the course of the recreation of the Southern Ocean Lodge.
The luxury lodge, set along the limestone clifftops of Kangaroo Island’s beautifully wild south coast, was razed in the summer wildfires of 2020.
Having immediately pledged to rebuild the globally celebrated property, Baillie Lodges founders James and Hayley Baillie commissioned local South Australian filmmakers 57 Films to document the journey. The couple said they were pleased to have a visual record of the “twice-in-a-lifetime” project.
“We had planned and built the original Southern Ocean Lodge from scratch, and always regretted not having put together a proper record of the journey,” Hayley Baillie said.
The 30-minute documentary captures the planning, construction, and very personal reactions and reflections from those working on the site over the lodge’s four-year path to reopening. It was named after Sunshine, the metal kangaroo sculpture created from a reclaimed combined harvester by Kangaroo Island sculptor, Indiana James. Sunshine had always stood in the Great Room’s upper lounge, welcoming guests as they arrived to take in the first breathtaking views of the icy blue Southern Ocean. It was amongst the only features of the lodge left standing as the fires retreated.
Included is footage of James and Hayley as they salvage items from the wreckage before inviting found objects artist, Janine Macintosh and Indiana James, to make the most of the situation. Together with architect Max Pritchard, they faced the very real challenges in constructing a luxury lodge on a remote island site.
The result is a fascinating and emotional visual journey for the team and past and future guests. Guests at the lodge can enjoy the film in the luxurious surrounds of the new-look lodge in the Baudin Lounge or online.
“We were never expecting to have a second chance, but this time we made the most of the opportunity and the team at South Australia-based 57 Films were perfect for the task,” James Baillie said.
Guests at the lodge can enjoy the film in the luxurious surrounds of the new-look lodge in the Baudin Lounge and it’s also available to view online HERE.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
baillie lodges kangaroo island Kangaroo Island bushfiresLatest News
Azamara Cruises launches savings on select 2025 sailings
We are reliably informed that the Azamara boss will be onboard for some of this itin.
Japan, Vietnam and Indonesia are massive growth destinations for Aussies
We assure you that some of these numbers are from the TW office. Hello, is anybody there? Hello?
Celestyal launches ‘Live Your Vacation Dream’ campaign
'Put it on my tab', a great phrase in the travel lexicon. Until you get home to the bank statement. This'll help.
John Williamson to headline Big Red Sunset Concert in Birdsville
Hey, true blue, don't say you've gone. We are glad this event didn't knock off for a smoko for good.
Pacific carriers set to jump at PNG opportunity as NRL announces latest expansion
There will be some big parties in PNG tonight to celebrate the arrival of its NRL team, it's like Christmas come early.
Oceania Cruises announces savings for 2025/26 bookings
So many cruise options, so little time. Either we ask to extend out holidays to 8 weeks or take early retirement.
VIDEO: Author, singer and scientists rally to protect WA’s Scott Reef from drilling
Better start planning now if you want to get there via a four-hour flight, three-hour bus trip, and 18-hour boat trip.
Adrian Boccia promoted to GM Network Development at Helloworld Travel Limited
Woohoo! What a Kris Kringle present. We wonder what else is under the tree.
Etihad Airways doubles down after second Design Airline of the Year award
The old turn left to inspect the amenities kit hasn't worked for us in the past, so we don't expect it to in future.
Trilogy Hotels to operate Marriott’s first Northern Territory hotel
Things are heating up in the NT and it's not just the temperature... We hear there's a new chilli sauce at the market!
Parrtjima – A Festival in Light returns to Alice Springs
World's oldest continuous culture using s high-tech light installation, what's not to love.
Virgin Voyages celebrates record-breaking sales and revenue growth
An Annual Pass on a Virgin Voyage? Our ears and liver hurt just thinking about that one.
CLIA welcomes 100 new members at Hong Kong workshop
The CLIA clique gets larger at Hong Kong's fancy cruise terminal, once a clapped-out airport when we lived there!
Landmark VA flights to Doha on sale today set to shake up Australian aviation
These boarding passed will be a piece of aviation history, and at less than $2k, are going to be snapped up.
Hot tickets for Jetstar’s new flight from Sydney to Vanuatu
Just 3.5 hours from Sydney, Vanuatu is one of those destination duplications we should be thinking about.
Alluna Motel, Armidale undergoes reimagining with Choice Hotels Asia-Pac
A little bit of country comfort is fine, but we like our modern conveniences, and a little style as well.
Ingenia Holiday Parks powers its very own EV Superhighway throughout NSW
Who was the bright spark (pun intended) who didn't plan to put chargers in ahead of the EV boom.
Warrawong on the Darling’s new ownership and summer savings
Outback holiday retreat, Warrawong on the Darling, has new owners marking a new era for the cabin, van and camping park near Wilcannia, and released savings for summer stays and a free roast dinner on Christmas Day. Nestled by a pristine billabong on the Darling River and surrounded by sand dunes, far horizons, rugged open […]
Visit Sunshine Coast, Jetstar host Kiwi trade partners ahead of JQ Auckland-Maroochydore launch
We applaud Visit Sunshine Coast's Emily for remembering everyone's name on this jaunt.
Celebrity Cruises opens new 2026/27 sailing bookings
Highlights include its 110-night cruise, which is a good way to put a relationship to the test.
ASIC to sue REX over allegations of deceptive and misleading conduct
What's that? An Aussie airline in legal trouble again... You guessed it.
ICC Sydney team and social impact initiative triumphs at ABEA inaugural awards
Top of the tree at an inaugural awards event? Great work again from the ICC Sydney team.
Heritage Line launches 2025 early bird discount
Boutique river cruise operator, Heritage Line, has launched an early bird discount with up to US$200 (around AU$313) off on bookings for 2025. The offer is available until 31 December, making it ideal for those planning to gift a trip to someone for the holidays or for those ready to plan their 2025 vacations. The […]
Tragedy at Bali’s Ubud Monkey Forest as tree collapse kills two
A freak event claimed the lives of two tourists at the popular Ubud Monkey Forest in Bali on Tuesday afternoon local time when a large tree branch collapsed. A 32-year-old French woman and a 42-year-old Korean woman were fatally injured. At around 12:30 pm a sudden storm with strong winds and heavy rain arrived with […]
Minor Hotels expands local portfolio with Brisabane’s Queen’s Wharf Residences
This edgy new landmark in Brisbane skyline caps off a big year for the not-so-Minor Hotels group.
Fiji Airways launches new, longest and first-ever direct service to DFW in Airbus A350
Are you a fan of long flights? We don't want any answers from those who turn left...
Taylor Swift closes largest grossing music tour ever, providing huge global tourism boost
With these kind of figures, Swift is a welcome guest!
Ignite Travel Group agents say Aloha with Hawaiian Airlines famil
From surfing to hiking and the odd cocktail (we're sure), Hawaii is a bucket list famil destination for many!
Tourism in Asia and the Pacific reaches 85% of 2019 levels
One billion people travelled the world so far this year! Expect the pointy end of 2024 to get hectic.
Dorchester and Cathay Pacific advisor promotion winners enjoy luxury fam in Rome and Milan
Winners of a Dorchester Collection and Cathay Pacific travel advisor promotion enjoyed a luxury fam in Roma and Milan where they were wined and dined before enjoying a stopover in Hong Kong. The winners, Hema Desai (Spencer Travel), Ani Aladjadjian (ATPI), Mimi Romijn (Wentworth Travel), Emma Neely-Bartlett (Travel Beyond Group), Nicole Reber (Mosman Travel), Steve […]
Virgin Australia reveals tips for smooth travel as it prepares for record breaking summer season
Our tip for ensuring smooth travel is simple, go solo!
Microsoft: Aussies rack up over half a billion hours in holiday season prep
If you are a travel agent, now is the time to pitch your services!
Mackay Airport flying high for festive season
Mackay is hot right now and expected to get hotter with more Virgin flights to Brisbane.
Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham adds two to Destination NSW Board
The end-of-year appointments keep rolling in!
Aussie legend Mick Fanning teams up with Airbnb and his Gold Coast SLSC for summer stay
They assure us this is NOT a competition, but we expect the site to crash around 9:58am AEST (NOT AEDT) next Wednesday.
Aviation earmarked as key issue by tourism carbon emission study, entire industry well behind key measures
It doesn't really come as a surprise, but some of the numbers sure are alarming.