South Australian Off-Grid Island Resort to Add 22 Cabins

A luxury off-grid resort on a privately owned island off the South Australian coast has won approval to expand.

The approval clears the way for Rumi on Louth, off Port Lincoln, to add 22 ocean-view cabins to its accommodation options. The proposal was filed in July of this year.

The resort currently has five suites and an eight-bedroom private residence, which can host up to 16 guests.

It operates entirely off-grid, powered by solar energy and supported by a desalination plant.

The infrastructure includes composting systems and water management measures designed to reduce environmental impact. There are plans for chicken coops and vegetable gardens as part of ongoing sustainability efforts.

The expansion will also add facilities, including a day spa inspired by Japanese onsen traditions, a Japanese-style restaurant with ocean views, an AI-powered guest management system, and communal leisure amenities such as hot tubs, tennis courts, and walking trails.

Founder Che Metcalfe told media the approval was Stage Two of a three-stage masterplan for the island. The next stage planned includes earth-sheltered villas, more facilities and a new restaurant overlooking the water.

▲ Renderings of earth-sheltered villas planned for the third stage of the resort development at Louth.

She said the cabins would be built from sustainable timbers and natural materials including Venetian plaster, micro-cement and stone.

“They’ll be left to naturally silver over time,” Metcalfe said. “That means no paint, no chemical coatings, everything is designed to age gracefully.

“They’ll be constructed offsite and brought over, lifted on single columns so they touch the land as lightly as possible.”

“We’ve planted thousands of native species across the southern end of the island, and these cabins will sit just above that vegetation.”

Construction has begun and the first cabins are expected to open by the end of the year. Completion is scheduled for early 2026.