Growing up in Victor Harbor on the South Australian coast, Kangaroo Island was Nat’s backyard and a regular holiday spot.

She began in hospitality as a barista for a local café, before developing an interest in German-inspired baking upon which she found herself soon working in German bakery and cake shop.

Gaining a formal chef qualification and a Diploma in Hospitality Management, Nat began a career of quick succession through fine dining restaurants across Adelaide, as her passion for food and wine grew organically. Her passion and potential quickly became recognised, as her journey continued all over the country. From the ski fields at Mt Kosciuszko to the islands in Far North Queensland, she took to the tourism dining industry as her love for a healthy combination of work and travel was realised.

Nat joined the team at Southern Ocean Lodge in 2019 as a Lodge Attendant and rose through the ranks to Restaurant Supervisor. Her role ended abruptly at Southern Ocean Lodge  due to the fires, although she welcomed a new opportunity within Baillie Lodges by moving into Guest Services and made the move to Australia’s Red Centre to work as a Guest Service Agent at Longitude 131. This role was multi-faceted, allowing her to jump into other departments to assist as needed. Following her outback adventure, she moved back to home base in Adelaide for a short time to be closer to family, until an opportunity arose at Huka Lodge in May 2021. As Food and Beverage Supervisor, she supported the team and was able to share her career journey of working across multiple Baillie Lodges properties.

March 2022 saw Nat head back to Southern Ocean Lodge to work as a pivotal member of the opening team. In her Assistant Lodge Manager role, Nat oversees lodge operations, working closely with department leaders to support and assist them across all day-to-day operational issues.

When not working, she’s exploring the different hikes on KI, working on her crafts, or relaxing in her staff accommodation listening to the waves crash against the cliffs. “I love the family aspect of the lodges and that each location is remote and unique. As you’re living in the same area you work in, it’s important to set up your living environment to make the most of your down time – whether it be arts and crafts, gaming, surfing or hiking one of the many trails”.