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.