Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his new wife, Jodie Haydon, have celebrated their recent nuptials with a luxurious honeymoon on a famous Australian island, staying in a hotel suite costing $3,000 per night.
Luxury Lodge Stay for Newlyweds
The couple chose the exclusive Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island, off the coast of South Australia, for their post-wedding retreat. This followed their wedding at The Lodge in Canberra on Saturday, which was attended by 80 guests. Reports from The Advertiser indicate that while some suites at the ultra-luxury hotel command over $8,000 nightly, the Prime Minister and Ms Haydon opted for a slightly more modest $3,000-a-night room.
During their four-night stay, the newlyweds enjoyed a nightly four-course menu expertly paired with premium local wines selected from the lodge's extensive walk-in cellar. Their accommodation offered breathtaking, panoramic views over the pristine Hanson Bay.
Mayor's Mixed Welcome and Call for Funding
Kangaroo Island Mayor, Michael Pengilly, extended his hopes that the couple enjoyed their stay, albeit with a pointed political message. This comes after he previously criticised a visit by Mr Albanese to the island in August, during the state's algal bloom crisis.
At that time, Mayor Pengilly accused the PM of staging a 'photo op', describing the visit as 'discourteous' despite a pledge of $8.5 million in new funding for the Thebarton research laboratory. Reflecting on the honeymoon visit, the mayor stated, 'We hope they enjoyed their stay. Next time he comes back, he can bring some money for infrastructure.'
A Celebrity Destination and Romantic Beginnings
Kangaroo Island is no stranger to high-profile visitors, having previously hosted global celebrities such as Katy Perry, Orlando Bloom, and Oprah Winfrey, who toured the island in 2010.
While the Prime Minister was on honeymoon, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles served as Acting Prime Minister. The couple's romance began in 2020 at a conference when Mr Albanese asked if any South Sydney fans were present. Ms Haydon responded with the team's rallying cry, 'up the Rabbitohs'.
Their wedding venue, The Lodge in Canberra, holds special significance for the pair. It was on the residence's balcony on Valentine's Day 2024, after a romantic Italian dinner, that Mr Albanese proposed to Ms Haydon.
