Wander on Kangaroo Island

Following the success of Wander in the Scenic Rim – a set of eco-friendly pods in regional Queensland – a second series of getaway accommodation has been crafted on Kangaroo Island.

While the original WanderPods are set around Lake Wyaralong, a 1.5-hour drive from Brisbane, Wander on Kangaroo Island fronts water of a different kind, perched at the top of a hill at Snelling Beach on the island’s northern coastline. “We’re finding that our guests are really loving the difference in experiences they can have between two such vastly different landscapes,” says Cassandra Sasso, founder of Wander. “What makes Wander on Kangaroo Island particularly special is its remoteness: the vastness and the depth of the landscape are quite incredible and unmatched by anywhere I’ve been.” Designed by Wander architect Michael Sasso, the understated WanderPods encourage visitors to embrace the natural beauty of the locale, including abundant wildlife like kangaroos and koalas.

“It’s not really about bringing the outside in; it’s about you going outside and connecting with the region.”

In contrast to typical getaway accommodation, the WanderPods are not designed as places to passively admire the landscape but, rather, as starting points from which to explore it. “It’s not really about bringing the outside in; it’s about you going outside and connecting with the region,” says Sasso. With a modular, minimalist form, the pods entice visitors outdoors by framing views of the striking surroundings. They operate using solar power and harvested rainwater, expressing respect towards the natural environment. To similar effect, the pods are set on piers: if Wander ever moves away from Kangaroo Island, the land will remain largely untouched.

Arriving at Snelling Beach involves a scenic drive along the north coast and walking a path lined with long blond grass, leading to the top of the hill where the pods are located. Entering through a sliding barn door, visitors are met with an open-plan lounge and dining room, which share a wood-burning fireplace. The adjoining kitchen features a pantry box of local seasonal produce, while the bedroom, further on, contains a king-sized bed. Connected to the bedroom is a bathroom with luxurious rain shower. Outside, sunlounges and an outdoor bath allow visitors to dwell in nature, as does a deck with a dining table and 180-degree views of the ocean.

“Luxury, for me, is more about finding what’s really rare rather than what money can buy,” says Sasso. “It’s about time, it’s about space, it’s about stillness and really connecting back to the land.” Nurturing visitors’ relationship with the natural environment, Wander on Kangaroo Island offers an experience that values well-being above all else.

Architecture by Wander. Production by The Local Production.