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Formation & Membership

In early 2010, eleven of Australia’s leading independent high-end tourism property owners joined together to form Luxury Lodges of Australia Ltd, a not-for-profit, member-owned, marketing association to promote both domestically and internationally the uniquely Australian breed of luxury experiential hospitality found in their  individual lodges.  Shorty thereafter, an additional four lodges joined the membership, and Luxury Lodges of Australia launched its website and marketing programs with fifteen properties in June 2010.  

The member properties represent both long-established and new lodges and camps, with a common theme of offering guests an outstanding experience connected to a clear sense of place – while ensuring the highest international luxury standards for service, décor, food, wine and ambiance.

Ranging from wilderness lodges to vineyard retreats and dining destinations; island hideaways to luxe outback camps; each of the properties demonstrate high levels of innovation and are created and operated to be the ‘best’ in sharing their unique region in Australia with all guests.

The association’s website www.luxurylodgesofaustralia.com.au provides discerning travellers with a comprehensive set of information and planning tools for completely Australian itineraries, linking closely and smoothly to each property’s own website and booking systems. The website is also an invaluable research tool for those who book their travel with their preferred travel specialist.

The association works closely with Tourism Australia, each of the Australian state tourism organizations, key tourism media, inbound tourism operators, travel specialists and others in promoting Australia as a luxury tourism destination.

Luxury Lodges of Australia was formed following a meeting in late 2009 when Jim Carreker, then owner of  The Louise, invited several of the owners of the country’s top lodge properties to the Barossa Valley to discuss the potential for collectively marketing a diverse and uniquely Australian luxury hospitality portfolio.  Following the initial discussions and a follow-up formative review, these owners chose the structure of a member-owned, not-for-profit Australian corporation to carry out the marketing mission of the association.  In January 2010, a constitution for the association was filed and the founding member properties executed membership agreements and jointly funded the first several years of operations.

An initial set of five directors representing the property owner members was elected and an executive officer was hired.  Subsequently, a marketing plan was agreed, a website has been developed, directory printed and informative DVD edited.  Luxury Lodges of Australia launched at the Australian Tourism Exchange in Adelaide South Australia on 2 June 2010.

JOINING LUXURY LODGES OF AUSTRALIA

The members anticipate a small number of like-minded Australian luxury property owners may join as future members, although there is no timeline nor imperative to grow the size of the association.

Future property inclusions will uphold the general characteristics of small, generally independently owned, well-managed lodge properties offering key luxury standards in infrastructure, service, food and wine offering and critically, unforgettable experiences in Australia’s most inspiring and extraordinary locations.

An application, inspection and approval process is required to be undertaken prior to becoming a member of Luxury Lodges of Australia. Initial enquiries should be directed to the Executive Officer of the association.

Executive Officer
Luxury Lodges of Australia Ltd
PO Box 748
Tanunda   SA   5352