Southern Ocean Lodge Day Spa: Ron experiences some of the luxury of the Kangaroo Island region of South Australia

At some time we all need to indulge the senses and what better place to pamper the inner self than at Southern Ocean Lodge on the wild South Coast of beautiful Kangaroo Island.

Here, at a remote hideaway about three kilometres from Hanson Bay, guests are treated to a feast of the senses - from exquisitely prepared meals featuring local produce to luxuriously appointed rooms, each with wrap around views of majestic Kangaroo Island.

And after a night of indulgence, the pampered guest can walk off a few kilos while still feasting on a location, which combines opulence and refinement with rugged and remote beauty. Here the trick is not to overdo anything. But if you do, your hosts have got it covered. A long walk along this spectacular shoreline could leave the feet a little worse for wear. Fear not because Carly Meedon at the nearby Day Spa has soon got them covered.

Carly Meedon: "The treatment you're having today is called a karma facial. The word karma means face. And the products that we use here are from a range designed around indigenous medicine."

I've got a confession to make - I'm not your Day Spa kinda guy - but within minutes, the waves of calming music combined with those outside, wash away the cares of the world.

Carly: "The herbs we are burning are lemon myrtle, paperbark and teatree which are traditionally used as cleansers and purifiers. Out with the old and in with the new. Having a clean slate to work with."

If the face is life's road map then I've traveled a few too many Ks on the Birdsville Track. A decade on the road as a Postcards reporter means Carly's got her work cut out for her. The Lodge is a showcase of all things South Australian and the day spa is no exception… and according to Carly, Southern Ocean Lodge certainly leaves an impression on all who stay here.

Carly: "People are amazed. When enter the great room in the main lodge I think most people are gob smacked. It's just so clean, so pure. There's nothing out here. The lodge has been designed in such a way that it doesn't encroach on nature."

But it certainly draws from it with many of the cleansers and moisturisers incorporating a host of KI ingredients. Carly's lavender infused potions source their sweet smelling herbal essence from a lavender farm at Emu Bay on the island's north coast. Sea salt is from Shoal Bay, and eucalyptus oil from the island's famous distillery and a few ingredients from further afield.

It gets a big tick from me and while I'm man enough to know a mere seventy-five minute session won't work miracles - it certainly puts a smile on the dial. The Day Spa experience ranges from $140 and is available to guests and other visitors to the island. To book a session contact 8559 7347

Published 26th July 2009