Baillie Lodges Unveils Southern Ocean Lodge Documentary 'Sunshine Rising'

The team at Baillie Lodges is delighted to unveil a commissioned documentary called 'Sunshine Rising' that charts the course of the recreation of its flagship property, 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 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.

The documentary is named for 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. The sculpture was amongst the only features of the lodge left standing as the fires retreated. Indiana James took Sunshine back to his island studio for a clean-up and to recreate his glass eyes.  

Included is footage of James and Hayley as they salvage items from the wreckage before inviting found objects artists Janine Macintosh and Indiana James to make the most of the situation, planning meetings with the lodge's original architect Max Pritchard and the very real challenges faced 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 and it's also available to view online here.

Baillie Lodges founders James and Hayley Baillie 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.

“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.  

Baillie Lodges Executive Chairman Michael Moret-Lalli said the company was grateful for the additional financial support for the documentary from Southern Ocean Lodge owners KSL Capital Partners.

Editors' Notes: Baillie Lodges is a growing portfolio of luxury lodges renowned for setting benchmarks in premium experiential travel. Set in exclusive locations of unique natural or cultural significance, the boutique properties appeal to the discerning global traveller seeking a remarkable experience. The Australia-based collection was founded in 2003 by James and Hayley Baillie and includes Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island, Longitude 131° at Uluru-Kata Tjuta, Capella Lodge on Lord Howe Island, Silky Oaks Lodge at the Daintree Rainforest, and The Louise in the Barossa Valley. In 2019, an affiliate of KSL Capital Partners acquired Baillie Lodges with the aim to further expand the unique collection of luxury lodges. The 2022 addition of Chile's esteemed Tierra Hotels group marked a broadening of the portfolio's international presence, joining Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge on Canada's Vancouver Island and New Zealand's Huka Lodge. Baillie Lodges' Australian properties are honoured as members of Luxury Lodges of Australia. For more information, please visit baillielodges.com.au.