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SA’s first off-grid island resort to add 22 luxury cabins with ocean views

By Taylah Darnell
Island life just got even sweeter.

Once a humble sheep farm established in the 19th century, Louth Island is now the site of an opulent eco-conscious property that’s redefining Australia’s luxury accommodation landscape.

Since first opening its doors in 2023, Rumi on Louth has expanded in carefully crafted stages, each more impressive than the last. And now, with the unveiling of its brand-new cabins, the resort is poised to elevate the experience once again.

The current accommodation options

While the future is looking particularly bright for guests of Rumi on Louth, the current accommodation options are nothing to sneeze at. Presently, the resort boasts a one-bedroom ocean view suite with an open-plan kitchenette, in-suite bar, en suite with rain shower and king-size bed.

Rumi on Louth in South Australia

Wake up to views of the sea from your one-bedroom suite.

There are also four ocean view king rooms available, each offering rain showers, king-size beds and in-room amenities like coffee machines and 65-inch flatscreens. No matter what room you stay in, you’ll be treated to floor-to-ceiling windows that soak in uninterrupted ocean views across the pristine Spencer Gulf.

For larger groups, the gorgeous private retreat is the ideal escape. It features one queen-size and eight king-single rooms, two bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, spacious living area, split-system air conditioning and large private deck with outdoor furnishings.

Rumi on Louth in South Australia
Spend time with family and friends on the outdoor deck.
Rumi on Louth in South Australia
A spacious open-plan design invites the outside in.
Rumi on Louth in South Australia
The private retreat sleeps up to 10 guests.

Earlier this year, Rumi on Louth’s founder Che Metcalfe also revealed his $20-million plans for 23 earth-sheltered villas and a VIP residence with its own private beach and horizon pool. But clearly, that was just the beginning.

The new cabins

Just when you thought it couldn’t get more impressive, another chapter begins. South Australian entrepreneur and former CEO of Uniti Group, Che Metcalfe, who bought Louth Island in 2021, has just announced additional accommodation for the eco-resort.

Rumi on Louth in South Australia

The new cabins will join 23 private earth-sheltered villas.

Rumi on Louth will add 22 new ocean view cabins to its portfolio during its next phase of development, with hot tubs and a tennis court to match. While not a lot is known about the specific design of these new cabins or how they will differ from the existing rooms and upcoming villas, Metcalfe’s track record hints at something special. In adherence to its core ethos, the rooms will be fully off-grid and sustainable, too.

Rumi on Louth in South Australia

Rumi on Louth is completely powered by solar energy.

Rumi on Louth is completely powered by solar energy, equipped with advanced compost/recycling systems and even has its own desalination plant. The addition of chicken coops and vegetable gardens will also help the eco-resort on its mission to restore and revegetate Louth Island.

This forward-thinking approach has already landed the resort among Australia’s best eco-retreats, so guests can enjoy their stay knowing it won’t leave an environmental footprint.

The rest of the resort

If you can tear yourself away from your room, there’s plenty to keep you occupied across the 135-hectare property. Current guests can indulge at the onsite day spa, dine at the two-hatted Samphire restaurant and partake in a variety of signature experiences.

Rumi on Louth in South Australia

Dine on fresh local produce at two-hatted Samphire restaurant.

From dreamy beach picnics and cooking masterclasses to catamaran cruises and kayak fishing, you’re spoilt for choice. Or simply wile away the day at Louth Island’s stunning secluded beach.

When plans were revealed for Rumi’s earth-sheltered villas at the start of 2025, an extensive blueprint for new resort-style facilities came with it. Think pickleball courts, a Japanese-style onsen and a five-star restaurant, plunge pools, saunas and private cabanas, as well as a map of walking trails around the island.

Rumi on Louth in South Australia

Enjoy a private cabana on the beach.

The details

Rumi on Louth is situated on Louth Island, just a few kilometres off the coast of Port Lincoln in South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula. It is completely self-sufficient, off-grid and sustainable, with conservation and regeneration at its heart.

The resort is only accessible by boat – guests will be picked up from Port Lincoln Airport and transported to the resort via its amphibious water vessel, Sealegs. Day visitors are also welcome, but transport to the jetty for pick up must be arranged independently.

Rumi on Louth in South Australia

Louth Island is only accessible via boat transfer.

Reservations are open now, with room prices varying from $630 per night in an ocean view king room to $945 per night for the one-bedroom ocean view suite. The private retreat can be booked from $2500 per night with a minimum stay of two nights.

No date of completion has been confirmed for the second phase of development, but with the green light granted, construction is now moving ahead. Watch this space!

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Taylah Darnell is Australian Traveller's Writer & Producer. She has been passionate about writing since she learnt to read, spending many hours either lost in the pages of books or attempting to write her own. This life-long love of words inspired her to study a Bachelor of Communication majoring in Creative Writing at the University of Technology Sydney, where she completed two editorial internships. She began her full-time career in publishing at Ocean Media before scoring her dream job with Australian Traveller. Now as Writer & Producer, Taylah passionately works across both digital platforms and print titles. When she's not wielding a red pen over magazine proofs, you can find Taylah among the aisles of a second-hand bookshop, following a good nature trail or cheering on her EPL team at 3am. While she's keen to visit places like Norway and New Zealand, her favourite place to explore will forever be her homeland.
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Luxury villas to open in the dunes of this exclusive SA island

    By Taylah Darnell
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    This dreamy island escape is about to level up – in more ways than one.

    Hidden in plain sight just off the coast of South Australia’s picturesque Eyre Peninsula is the ultimate secluded stay. Rumi on Louth is a perfect paradigm of the modern holiday, mastering the duality of indulgence with eco-consciousness. The off-grid eco resort partially opened its doors in 2023, giving travellers a tantalising taste of what’s to come once it fully opens later this year.

    Now, that future is one step closer. The second phase of construction has recently received the green light, signalling the start of a whopping $20 million plan to develop the eco resort into one of Australia’s leading luxury accommodation offerings.

    Rumi on Louth in South Australia

    The luxurious eco resort is slated for completion in 2025. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

    The accommodation

    Currently, overnight options are limited to a small but impressive range of luxury rooms and suites that welcome the wild island inside. Four flawless Ocean View King Rooms and the One Bedroom Ocean View Suite provide guests with cosy comfort and luxurious style, as does a private nine-bedroom retreat. But this already impressive range is about to get even better.

    Rumi on Louth in South Australia

    Bigger groups can book the private retreat. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

    Once stage two is complete, guests will be able to stay in a luxury villa that seems to disappear underground, built into the island’s cascading sand dunes. Working with Adelaide architecture firm Archaea Architects, each earth-sheltered hideaway has been deliberately designed by the resort’s team to blend into the surrounding landscape and preserve its natural environment.

    Rumi on Louth in South Australia

    Current guests can stay in luxurious off-grid suites. (Image: Robert Lang Photography)

    Crowding won’t be an issue either. The exclusive villas will be spaced out across the entire southern end of Louth Island, promising guests complete privacy and uninterrupted views of the coastline.

    The amenities

    Current guests at Rumi on Louth don’t have much at all to complain about. Tailored packages, a day spa and a two-hatted onsite restaurant have kept everyone entertained thus far. As has a variety of signature experiences, including dreamy beach picnics, cooking masterclasses, buggy tours, catamaran cruises, kayak fishing and more.

    Rumi on Louth in South Australia

    The onsite restaurant has two Chef Hats. (Image: Robert Lang Photography)

    But a new range of resort-style facilities promises even more fun, from tennis and pickleball courts to a Japanese-inspired onsen with massage rooms, plunge pools, saunas and cabanas. A brand-new boardwalk will also provide access to a stunning secluded beach, one of the island’s major drawcards.

    “If you’ve ever seen Whitehaven Beach… it’s very much like that type of beach, except smaller,” says Rumi on Louth’s owner, Che Metcalfe. Who needs to battle crowds in The Whitsundays when you could have it all to yourself in SA?

    Louth Island in Suth Australia

    Louth Island is SA’s answer to The Whitsundays. (Image: Robert Lang Photography)

    The ethos

    Sustainability has always been a principal value at Rumi on Louth. It’s completely off-grid, with solar power, desalination plants, compost systems and recycling all primary focuses of phase one. There are also advanced systems that turn human waste into water, which is used to water crops and help native plants grow.

    This forward-thinking ideology continues to evolve in stage two, a move that could place Rumi on Louth amongst some of the country’s best eco retreats. The second phase will see the introduction of chicken coops and vegetable gardens, which will help the eco resort on its mission to restore and revegetate Louth Island.

    Rumi on Louth in South Australia

    The resort is designed to be self-sufficient. (Image: Robert Lang Photography)

    “Over time, we plan to be more and more self-sufficient, and part of that is growing our own vegetables. We always forage for native ingredients, which we will grow more of over time,” says Metcalfe.

    But there’s more. While the second stage of development is obviously Metcalf’s primary focus, the tech entrepreneur from Adelaide is already thinking about what’s next.

    “I want to do unique experiences that you can’t get anywhere else in Australia, and I want to build it into one of the best resorts in the world. I don’t want to stop until we get there,” Metcalfe says.

    Watch this space.