July 20, 2023
Best Hikes and Walks in the Red Centre
As the sun graces the horizon in the Red Centre, a plethora of unforgettable walks and hikes await.
“The geology, history and cultural significance of central Australia makes it a must visit destination for so many people from all around the world… we love immersing ourselves in these amazing places.”
Ben LanyonAfter leaving Kangaroo Island, the family completed a round-Australia camping trip, trained young hospitality professionals at the Queensland College of Wine Tourism, took a stint as publicans at an iconic outback Queensland pub and operated their own restaurant and catering company, the McGregor Terrace Food Project. Having stayed in touch with James, Hayley and many of the other Baillie Lodges ‘family’, Ben and Lou returned to Southern Ocean Lodge for its 10th birthday celebrations which “reignited our love of everything Baillie Lodges”. Later that year, James mentioned an upcoming opportunity to rejoin the Baillies fold at Longitude 131°, and “the timing was just right.”
In 2019 with their three sons – Bosco, Cassius and Hendrix – Ben and Lou moved to Uluru Kata-Tjuta. The boys are loving their school and new life in the outback, exploring their “big red backyard”, observing the wildlife (especially thorny devils and perentie lizards) and playing in the sand dunes behind their house. “Although most days we wish they would leave their sand filled shoes at the door before coming back inside!”
When asked about the difference between working by the cool Southern Ocean to the dry heat of the Red Centre, Ben says it is this major contrast between all the Baillie Lodges properties that makes them so special and unique. “The geology, history and cultural significance of central Australia makes it a must visit destination for so many people from all around the world… we love immersing ourselves in these amazing places.”
Ben is also a chef by trade and enjoys foraging for local bush ingredients, with a home veggie garden that “is the envy of the neighbours!” The biggest challenge they find running a remote lodge is missing their family gatherings, “But with direct flights from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Darwin… there aren’t too many excuses anymore!”
When asked about what they love most about working at Baillie Lodges and managing Longitude 131°, Ben says “besides the amazing mix of guests we greet from all around the world… we have a pretty special team of staff that are super passionate about where we are and what we do!”
For more information about Longitude 131°
and the other properties in the Baillie Lodges
portfolio please download our brochure.