Louth Island, nestled in the opulent waters of South Australia’s Spencer Gulf, is set to welcome a $20 million expansion of the villa-style resort offering, Rumi on Louth. The second stage of this luxury development was unveiled in March, but updated plans now include 22 smaller cabins alongside 22 previously announced private villas.
Rumi on Louth owner Che Metcalfe says the new cabins will offer a different style of getaway compared to the secluded earth-sheltered villas, designed to blend in with the island’s natural surroundings, announced earlier in the year.
“They’re one-bedroom hotel-style rooms with king beds and an ensuite,” Metcalfe says. “The cool thing about them is they’re raised up on a single column, so they’re cantilevered off the ground with a little ramp that goes up to them. Each one has a view of the water.”
The cabins will be located near the retreat area, a stunning natural space where Che and his wife Natasha were married, and will sit alongside a refined outdoor dining space.
“Just adjacent to that will be the 22 cabins. It makes the perfect spot for a wedding, a birthday, or a major celebration. We don’t currently have enough accommodation, and that’s the main driver for adding these cabins. But it also adds another layer to the accommodation on the island,” he says.
According to Metcalfe, the villas and cabins serve different guest experiences too.
“A big group of friends could hire five or ten of the cabins. They’re more affordable than the villas and you can be in a closer group in a cluster. The villas are spread out around the island and designed for privacy for couples or small families, whereas this will be more of a communal feel,” he says.
Cabins will also include previously announced spas on individual decks where you can hop in and gaze up at the sun sinking over the water.
The cabins are designed with sustainability in mind. Construction will use Australian sustainable timbers and the raised design will minimise land clearance.
“Everything we do on the island is eco-conscious. These cabins have very little land clearance to install because they’re raised up, so they don’t touch the ground,” Metcalfe says.
The cabins will increase guest capacity while reducing the overall environmental footprint. Vegetation clearance will be reduced by nearly 70 per cent under this revised plan.
The resort’s second stage will retain previously approved details, including tennis courts, yoga spaces, an outdoor gym, and a Japanese-style day spa.
Planning consultants are currently reviewing the application, with construction expected to begin once approval is granted. Rumi on Louth’s first stage opened in early 2024, costing $30 million with capacity for around 20 guests. It includes solar power, desalination, and composting systems, along with fine dining at the award-winning Samphire Restaurant.
If you’re seeking a secluded escape infused with luxury and tranquillity, keep an eye on the next stage of Rumi on Louth. Or, if you’re eager to experience the island sooner, book one of Rumi’s current lavish and immersive stays, set against a backdrop of breathtaking scenery.
For more information on Rumi on Louth, click here.
