Kangaroo Island, off the South Australia coast near Adelaide, is most famous for its fuzzy inhabitants (from kangaroos to seals to wallabies to koalas). But the island, with 1/3 of the land national or conservation park and roughly seven times the size of Singapore, is also known for being one of the last unspoiled refuges (often called "Australia's Galapagos"), with little commercial development and no large-scale hotels. But last week, that changed.
The Southern Ocean Lodge is the island's first luxury resort. The resort features 21 "eco-chic" suites and a spa with Australia-made Li'Tya products and Aboriginal-inspired treatments.
I'm relieved to know that the the Lodge is blending local culture and the natural landscape with its "luxury" tag, but for $900 (about US $825) per night per person, I'd rather stay at one of Kangaroo Island's local bed-and-breakfasts for a more authentic experience.
Is the Southern Ocean Lodge just the beginning in the over-development of Kangaroo Island? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
Photo: Australian sea lion on Kangaroo Island; Stuart Reynolds via Flickr
Kangaroo Island 'one of earth's last unspoilt refuges' with wildlife!!!!Excellent post.Its true for an authentic experience local holiday homes are good.
Posted by: Kiama accommodation | November 04, 2008 at 12:56 AM