$16,250 a stay, you heard that right. We’ve found one of South Australia’s most indulgent weekends away, where museum vintages are poured by the fire, and one of South Australia’s most iconic winemaking families hosts you on a wild clifftop island. With prices starting at $7,650 for two and reaching up to $16,250, this might be our most luxurious find yet.
Kangaroo Island’s Southern Ocean Lodge is preparing for an ultra-luxury takeover as the Henschke family arrives for Henschke by the Sea, a three-day winter escape pairing one of Australia’s most celebrated wine dynasties with the raw beauty of the Southern Ocean.
Running from Friday, July 24th to Sunday, July 26th, the experience brings together six generations of Eden Valley winemaking heritage with the rugged coastline, wildlife encounters and slow-burning winter atmosphere Kangaroo Island does best.
And it comes with a price tag that places it firmly in the realm of once-in-a-lifetime travel. Suites range from $7,650 to $16,250 for two nights, with the top-tier Baillie Pavilion West setting the benchmark at $16,250 per stay (twin share).
Inside the lodge’s glass-wrapped Great Room, guests will spend winter evenings by the fire, enjoying some of Australia’s most sought-after wines. The lineup includes selections from Henschke’s 2022 Single Vineyard Collection, alongside rare museum releases pulled from the family cellar, including the legendary Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone Shiraz.
Henschke, established in 1868, is one of the country’s oldest family-owned wineries, with the estate still rooted in the Eden Valley after more than 150 years. Today, fifth-generation winemakers Stephen and Prue Henschke are globally recognised for their precision, sustainability and deeply site-driven approach.
Across the weekend, members of the Henschke family will personally host guests, sharing stories from vineyard life, vintage challenges, and the philosophy behind some of Australia’s most collectable wines.
To go perfectly with the wine, the menu leans heavily into South Australian produce. Expect American River oysters, Kangaroo Island lamb shoulder, locally farmed marron, baby barramundi and wild game, all showcased in relaxed, seasonal dining that reflects the island’s produce-first ethos.
Throughout the stay, guests will head out into the landscape itself. Guided excursions include Flinders Chase National Park, home to the Remarkable Rocks and long-nosed fur seals, and Seal Bay Conservation Park, where one of Australia’s most significant sea lion colonies gathers on the sand. There are also wildlife encounters at Hanson Bay Sanctuary.
“We are delighted to return to Southern Ocean Lodge for Henschke by the Sea – this experience offers a unique opportunity to share our family’s wines and stories in one of Australia’s most remarkable destinations,” shared Stephen Henschke, fifth-generation winemaker
In an age of luxury travel that often leans heavily on spectacle, Henschke by the Sea offers something more grounded, a meeting point between place, heritage and season.
For those who make the journey, this is more than just a weekend away. This is Kangaroo Island at its most elemental, paired with some of Australia’s most celebrated wines, and a price tag to match.
Henschke by the Sea
When: Friday, July 24th to Sunday, July 26th,
Where: Southern Ocean Lodge
Price: $7,650 to $16,250
For more information, click here.
