This new Spotlight Series will be focusing on particular properties, tours or guides. On this installment we will actually focus on a portfolio of luxury lodges owned by the Baillie Family and include Capella on Lord Howe Island, Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island and Longitude 131 in Ayers Rock.

Maggie Beer Leads the Return of Kangaroo Island Food Safari:

Australia’s favorite cook Maggie Beer will return to Southern Ocean Lodge next year to head up its popular KI Food Safari as it traverses the paddocks, dairies, vineyards and distilleries of Kangaroo Island.  The week-long program returns from August 20-27, 2016 with Executive Chef Jack Ingram taking the reins as Co-Safari Leader, and a second celebrity chef also soon to be announced. The KI Food Safari delivers a hands-on, muddy-boots experience including cheese-making at Island Pure dairy, a tasting at Kangaroo Island’s craft spirits distillery and alfresco lunch shared among the vineyards at Islander Estate. It’s an experience of fine food and wine and familiar company guaranteed to delight. Bookings have already been confirmed for this unforgettable food lovers’ expedition.

Chef Cooper Dickson Takes to the Kitchen at Capella

Chef Cooper Dickson has arrived at Capella Lodge and Lord Howe Island’s subtropical paradise straight from Kangaroo Island’s wild southern coastline, where he worked with the team at Southern Ocean Lodge. The contrast in islands is distinct, but each offers the delight of fresh local produce and the chance to work with a seasonal harvest of freshly caught seafood, free range meats and the ultimate pleasure: to explore and forage for edible plants. It’s a return to Capella for Cooper after a 10 year hiatus, during which he also worked in New Zealand and Germany. Back on Lord Howe, Cooper has discovered new foraging spots offering succulents, sea herbs and flowers and has found new producers on the island who are growing heirloom vegetables, micro herbs and leaves, local honey and free range eggs. He’s surfing and scuba diving in his free time, life’s good on Lord Howe!

Field of Light Transforms the Desert Landscape

Artist Bruce Munro’s internationally acclaimed solar installation Field of Light arrives at the Red Centre in April 2016, offering visitors a transformative experience of iconic Uluru. Bruce conceived the idea while visiting Uluru in 1992 but it first materialized in 2004 at London’s Victoria & Albert Museum. The work has since appeared in varying incarnations around the UK, in the US and Mexico. The Field of Light at Uluru is the largest recreation of the installation, made up of 50,000 bud-like stems and crowned with radiant frosted-glass spheres, which will bloom and appear to sway as darkness descends over Australia’s spiritual heartland. Pathways will draw viewers into the scene, which will come to life under a sky brilliant with stars. Longitude 131° guests will encounter the artwork as part of the signature experiences program, arriving at dusk to meander around the field before enjoying the cool night skies at Table 131°.

Announcing the New Five Night Capella Classic

New from April 1, 2016 are the Capella Classic Rates, designed to make taking a long-long weekend escape to Lord Howe Island even easier. For stays of five nights or more, guests enjoy super savings with special rates and all the usual inclusions: fresh island breakfasts, sunset drinks and canapés, fabulous evening dining and more. Generous bonuses are also on offer: French Champagne on arrival, credits towards treatments at the Capella Spa and a complimentary upgrade to the next suite category (subject to availability). Luxe! The Capella Classic rates are available year round – except for the summer peak – making a Lord Howe luxury escape the classic holiday to book in for the New Year.

All New Audi Q7s Add Shine to Luxury Fleet at Southern Ocean Lodge

Two new Audi Q7s have been added to fleet of luxury guest vehicles at Southern Ocean Lodge. The six-seater silver beauties offer the latest in style and comfort in an all-wheel drive and will be used for private half day touring and private airport transfers. The fleet partnership is a new dimension for Southern Ocean Lodge, which has worked with Audi in many different ways over recent years as the venue for exclusive product launches and with Kangaroo Island as both spectacular backdrop and driving destination.  The Audi Q7s will complement the existing Mercedes vehicles and more exclusivity for Southern Ocean Lodge guests.

Welcome Aboard Your Private Jet

For the discerning traveler, a Journey by Private Jet is the only way to see the world in style. From the moment of arrival, the dedicated crew provides a warm welcome to your home away from home, offering personalized service throughout. Lie-flat seats, fine dining and free flowing Dom Perignon Champagne are all included. Whichever Journey by Private Jet you choose, Captain’s Choice promise an unforgettable experience. Book a Captain’s Choice Journey by Private Jet before November 30, 2015 and as a bonus stay 2 nights at Southern Ocean Lodge for FREE* valued at $2,200 per person!