When Australian entrepreneur Che Metcalfe bought Louth Island in South Australia, a 10-minute boat road from Port Lincoln, in 2021, he intended to have it for his personal use. The 135-hectare island had been established as a sheep farm in 1802.
“Growing up barefoot in North Queensland, I always dreamed of owning an island and going fishing every day,” Metcalfe says. “When the opportunity of Louth Island came to light, I knew I couldn’t keep it all to myself.”
The opportunity was a proposal to turn the island into an eco-resort open to the public. In November this year, the first of its two-part $50-million-dollar development was unveiled.
Described by Metcalfe as a “nod to the future”, offering travellers a “peek behind the veil”, Rumi Reveal offers five luxury accommodations, as well as immersive nature experiences available only to guests, including kayaking and fishing tours, beach picnics, and catamaran cruises.
Guests also get the chance to dine on a six-course degustation at the resort’s fine dining restaurant Samphire, book spa treatments, and explore the untouched island on via buggy.
The second part of the development is Rumi on Louth, set to open in 2025 and comprising 27 villas and a private house. Both developments will be fully solar-powered and built with sustainability at the core of every decision. Recycling and composting practices help to preserve the island’s pristine nature. Even the signature dish at the resort’s restaurant is freshly caught, just off the coast.
“What’s most important is making sure the development considers the ecology of the island,” says Metcalfe. “It’s not just about building a resort — it’s about committing to the protection and preservation of Louth Island for years to come.
Stays are inclusive of breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as all-day refreshments and light bites. They can be as a single night with experience add-ons or as a two-night package, Retreat to Rumi.
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