Kittawa Lodge announces 2026 guest chef dining experiences on King Island
Kittawa Lodge has confirmed the return of its Guest Chef Series for 2026, bringing chefs Jordan Clay and Darren Purchese to King Island for a series of chef-curated dining experiences.
The three-night culinary packages will run across two periods in June and July, followed by additional events in October. Each experience accommodates up to eight guests staying across the property’s lodges and retreat.
Jordan Clay will host the first series across two packages scheduled from 26th June to 29th June and from 29th June to 2nd July. Darren Purchese will lead the second series from 23rd October to 26th October and from 26th October to 29th October.
Each experience includes chef-prepared breakfasts, daily lunches, and evening dinners served within guest accommodation. Additionally, menus will highlight King Island produce and will be paired with Tasmanian wines.
Guests will also receive gourmet picnic lunches prepared by the visiting chef. Furthermore, the packages include Kittawa Lodge snacks and a selection of wines, cocktails, spirits, beers, and ciders sourced from Tasmania.
Transport is included as part of the stay, with guests provided access to an AWD vehicle for exploring King Island during the three-night visit.
Wildlife experience and chef-led dinners included
The 2026 series will include a dedicated wildlife dining experience hosted by the Kittawa Lodge team alongside the guest chef. During this event, guests will join a guided evening featuring snacks and cocktails while observing platypus in their natural habitat.
Following the wildlife viewing, the experience continues with canapés and a Southern Rock Lobster dinner served while the island’s little penguins return to shore.
The dining experiences take place across Kittawa Lodge’s accommodation, which includes two one-bedroom lodges and the two-bedroom Kittawa Retreat. Groups of friends or families can book the packages together, with dinners held in the retreat for larger groups.
Accommodation and island setting
Kittawa Lodge sits on 96 acres of coastal land on King Island between mainland Australia and Tasmania. The accommodation operates off-grid and overlooks coastal landscapes that include seascapes, dunes, and native vegetation.
Each lodge features floor-to-ceiling windows that frame views of the surrounding coastline. Interiors include hand-crafted furniture, Cultiver linens, and European wood-burning fireplaces.
Bathrooms include rain showers and deep soaking tubs. In addition, the accommodation includes a fully equipped kitchen where guests can prepare local produce during their stay.
The Guest Chef Series packages include three nights’ accommodation, daily breakfast provisions prepared by the guest chef, daily lunches, and evening dinners with matched wines. Guests also receive access to premium Tasmanian beverages throughout their stay.
Package pricing varies depending on group size. Two couples staying in the Kittawa Retreat are priced at $10,995 per couple. Three couples are priced at $10,595 per couple, while groups of four couples are priced at $10,295 per couple.
Optional experiences include in-lodge treatments, guided yoga or meditation sessions, and a guided Southern Expedition across the southern areas of King Island. Guests may also upgrade to a four-wheel-drive vehicle or purchase additional Tasmanian wines.
King Island sits less than 45 minutes by air from Melbourne. Flights operate from Tullamarine Airport with Regional Express Airlines and from Moorabbin Airport with King Island Airlines. Services also run from Launceston and Burnie in Tasmania.
Location: 1272 South Rd, Pearshape TAS 7256
Event Dates: 26th June to 29th June, 29th June to 2nd July, 23rd October to 26th October, 26th October to 29th October
Access: Bookings available through the Kittawa Lodge website.
