Sustainable Management at Baillie Lodges Baillie Lodges is a collection of environmentally sustainable luxury lodges in remarkable wilderness destinations. A proactive approach to environmental management is essential the guest experience at each property, to the ongoing well-being of the destination and to the sustainability of business in experiential tourism. Baillie Lodges’ management holds an impressive track record of operating environmentally considered lodges in remote locations; they are often included in World Heritage-listed regions or bordering national and marine parks. Baillie Lodges founder James Baillie formerly led the establishment and operation of resorts in such standout natural locations as Queensland’s Lizard, Heron and Bedarra Islands, Silky Oaks Lodge in the Daintree Rainforest and Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain Lodge. James has brought to the Baillie Lodges collection a wealth of practical knowledge and experience in high-end nature-based tourism. Baillie Lodges was created in 2003 with the opening of Capella Lodge on World Heritage-listed Lord Howe Island, followed in 2008 by Southern Ocean Lodge on the remote wilderness of Kangaroo Island’s southwest coast. The collection was further expanded in 2013 with the addition of acclaimed luxury camp Longitude 131° overlooking Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) in Australia’s Red Centre, also situated adjacent to a World Heritage-listed National Park. In 2019, Baillie Lodges entered into a joint venture with KSL Capital Partners, heralding a new chapter in Baillie Lodges’ quest to deliver Australia’s finest collection of luxury lodges. Silky Oaks Lodge in Tropical North Queensland was the first property to join Baillie Lodges following the new partnership agreement. Set adjacent to the World Heritage-listed wilderness of the Daintree Rainforest National Park and along the banks of the gently flowing Mossman River, Silky Oaks Lodge offers guests a stylish rainforest escape. Baillie Lodges’ commitment to the environment is best seen in each lodge’s day-to-day interaction with its local natural and cultural surroundings. A dynamic environmental management plan featuring state-of-theart, continually evolving technologies steers lodge operations and ultimately enhances each guest’s experience of the destination.
Biodiversity Protection & Conservation A stay at a Baillie Lodges property by default includes interaction with the surrounding natural environment. Some properties include an itinerary of signature experiences for guests led by their own inhouse guides while others work closely with local operators for destination tours and experiences – and often a combination of them both! These experiences build awareness of the natural environment as well as offering an understanding of local culture and the community. Development plans for Southern Ocean Lodge were approved under the Commonwealth Environment Protection & Biodiversity Conservation Act, the South Australian Development Act, the National Parks & Wildlife Act, the Native Vegetation Act and the Natural Resources Management Act. One hectare of land was cleared in the construction of Southern Ocean Lodge, or approximately one per cent of the total 102 hectares of private land purchased by Baillie Lodges. Clearing of native vegetation clearing on the site was minimised by using existing fire-trails and tracks as access. The remaining 99 per cent is protected as a nature sanctuary to guarantee its pristine state for future generations of people as well as wildlife! Encumbrances were secured on adjoining land limiting future development and protecting the wildlife sanctuary. In 2005 and 2006, prior to the start of construction, management undertook extensive flora and fauna surveys which identified that the rare Osprey and vulnerable Hooded Plover bird species were found near the site. Environmental Management plans were subsequently put in place, including: Page | 1