AS 2010 seems to speed to an end, we welcome you to the festive season edition of the BL Bulletin. BL Newsletter Dec 2010
2010 has been a busy and rewarding year for all at both Capella and Southern Ocean Lodge. We’ve been blessed with many new and returning guests, more fantastic media reviews, new ‘bespoke’ experiences, superb regional-produce dining, illustrious rewards and more.
We’d most especially like to thank you for your generous and ongoing support and to wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous year in 2011.
We’ll look forward to seeing you then!
James and Hayley Baillie 
Festive season celebrations at Southern Ocean Lodge
Spot a kanga this Christmas! The Christmas and New Year celebrations at Southern Ocean Lodge will be full of good fun, fabulous food and the fine company of friends old and new. Christmas Day sees a relaxed degustation-style lunch featuring the best of Kangaroo Island local produce and overlooking the big blue Southern Ocean. In the cool breeze of the evening, guests share canapés and sunset drinks at the barbeque. We welcome the New Year in with a fabulous gala dinner and dancing.
Christmas at Capella
Heading north to subtropical Lord Howe Island, Christmas has a Pacific feel with the company of family and friends and the twins, Mounts Gower and Lidgbird. A long degustation style lunch with fresh seafood and traditional Christmas fare is designed to while away the afternoon in the best possible way. Refresh with a dip in the ocean, or ‘go Aussie’ and round up a game of beach cricket. As the suns sets across the coral reef, guests relax with drinks and canapés on the terrace. New Years Eve is greeted with cocktails by the bar, and a seven course gala dinner with matched wines. Cheers!
After dark: Kangaroo Island Wildlife Tour
The Nocturnal Tour at Hanson Bay Sanctuary nearby to Southern Ocean Lodge is one of the most popular new bespoke experiences on offer at the Lodge. Guests enjoy an early dinner before heading off into the night, which is the best time to experience many species Australian wildlife who keep to a nocturnal lifestyle. This adventure is led by Southern Ocean Lodge naturalist guides and takes an enlightening wander through the pristine bush sanctuary, designed to provide a protected natural environment for wildlife. It’s the perfect opportunity for guests to encounter koalas, possums, kangaroos, wallabies and the tiniest marsupials/even bats first hand.
Kangaroo Island: Getting there + away
Getting to and from Kangaroo Island is very much part of the adventure and a perfect segue to all the experiences on offer at Southern Ocean Lodge. A journey of planes, trains(?) and automobiles opens up new landscapes and offers memorable events along the way. Whether travelling to Kangaroo Island from international, interstate or local ports, many transport options are on offer and finding a best combination makes for a smooth transfer. New to the growing library of useful guest collateral is the ‘Getting There and Away’ fact sheet, read all about it (link).
Capella cool – the Makambo Loft
The premium Makambo Loft at Capella Lodge is a contemporary styled suite that offers a unique meeting of the luxurious and the quirky, and captures the fun and adventurous, laidback spirit of Lord Howe Island itself. This dual level suite has deluxe king sleeping areas upstairs, with private decks and hypnotic views of Mounts Gower and Lidgbird sweeping across to the ocean. Commissioned artist and larrikin, Bruce Goold’s lino-cuts and furnishings add a distinctly Lord Howe, beach-house feel, while easy lounging with included room bar and private deck spa complete a luxurious retreat.
Awards and Accolades
2010 has been another successful year for both Capella and Southern Ocean Lodge with both properties nominated in the ‘Best Lodge’ finalist categories for the Australian Gourmet Traveller Travel Awards and the Weekend Australian Travel and Tourism Awards. Selected as finalists for public and industry voting from amongst such fine Australian luxury lodge company as qualia, Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa, the sister properties graciously shared the spotlight. In an impressive roundup, Southern Ocean Lodge was this year voted as ‘Best Lodge’ in both of the prestigious media titles’ travel awards. With hints of more to look forward to in 2011, there’s so much to celebrate. Here’s cheers!
