From sunshine, sandy shores and incredible marine life it was time for me to put my jumper, socks and boots back on and head south to experience slightly more traditional winter elements. Before anyone starts to accuse me of working for the Kangaroo Island Tourist board (or taking a back-hander), I don’t, I promise. There are the three main iconic sites of Australia, affectionally known as “Sydney, Rock and Reef”, however here at The Tailor; we like to think that we know a few lesser known charms to compliment these ‘Big Three’. Kangaroo Island or KI as it’s locally known is most certainly one of them. As I’ve been fortunate enough to visit several times, over different seasons I feel confident to say that it never, ever fails to enchant me.
KI is a 35 minute flight from Adelaide and this gives you just enough time to drink a glass of water and munch a single ‘Mentos’ mint, such is the sophistication of the inflight catering, and you’re down before you realised you were up. I was to be a guest at Southern Ocean Lodge and was looking forward to seeing what all the commotion was about. With accolades coming out of its ears and a location that seems to me, to defy logic as it was a bold architect and even bolder builder who created this lodge that hovers on the edge of a cliff with the Southern Ocean frothing at the mouth below. An hour’s drive from the airport and I’m making my way up a wooden boardwalk and pushing open huge double doors. Once inside I’m feeling perhaps how Harry Potter felt standing for the first time in the Great Hall at Hogwarts. Southern Ocean Lodge’s ‘Great Room’ is exactly that, great in all respects. An endless curve of glass draws the outside in, it was a cold day but the pendulum fireplace breathed warmth, the furnishings achingly simple but sophisticated, and above all you feel able to flop, relax and just stare out of the window, which is exactly what I did.