Earth-sheltered villas and Japanese-inspired spa facilities approved for South Australia’s premier private island resort
Rumi on Louth is progressing to the next phase of its luxury development, with the $20 million second stage recently receiving planning approval for South Australia’s first private island eco-resort.
Located near Port Lincoln, both Louth Island and the resort are owned by Adelaide entrepreneur Che Metcalfe, who remains dedicated to ensuring the resort’s development and the island’s conservation efforts progress hand-in-hand.
Innovative Earth-Sheltered Design
The second stage will introduce 26 new Earth-sheltered villas, designed to blend seamlessly with the island’s natural surroundings. These luxury villas will be built into constructed sand dunes, making them virtually invisible and allowing them to disappear into the landscape.
Unlike conventional luxury resorts with adjacent accommodation, guests will enjoy complete privacy with each villa scattered independently across the southern end of the island. This approach reflects Metcalfe’s vision for ‘something that was true to the wilderness’.
Resort-Style Amenities and Sustainability Focus
Following a $30 million investment in essential infrastructure including solar power and desalination plants, the focus now shifts towards luxury amenities. New facilities will include tennis courts, pickleball courts, and a Japanese-onsen-inspired day spa featuring plunge pools, spas, saunas and poolside cabanas.
A boardwalk will lead guests over sand dunes to an eastern-facing beach with ‘beautiful white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters’, which Metcalfe compares to Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays.
The resort maintains a strong focus on self-sufficiency, with advanced systems converting waste to water for crop irrigation and native plant growth. New additions include chicken coops and vegetable growing, alongside continuous island revegetation efforts.
Future Expansion Plans
Metcalfe acknowledges being ‘notorious’ for dreaming up bigger ideas, with plans for unique experiences including outdoor cinema and rock pools. ‘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,’ he said.
The project is being developed in collaboration with Archaea Architects, with strong international interest already emerging from wealthy families in the US and UK looking to hire the entire island.
For guests requiring private aircraft hire to access this exclusive destination or charter flight services for luxury travel to remote South Australian locations, the resort represents the pinnacle of eco-conscious luxury tourism.
