Image: ocean view cabin (render)
Tucked off the coast of Port Lincoln, Rumi on Louth has quietly built a reputation as one of Australia’s most breathtaking luxury retreats for its incredible design and prime coastal location, where nature, design, and stillness co-exist.
Now, the off-grid island resort is preparing for its biggest evolution yet, after officially receiving official approval to expand with 22 new ocean-view cabins.
The expansion will take Rumi from five suites and an eight-bedroom private residence to a collection of contemporary coastal cabins, each designed to disappear gently into the landscape. Guests will be able to wake to uninterrupted sea views, with every cabin built to immerse them in nature while leaving no trace behind.
“We’re beyond thrilled to say that we’ll be expanding Rumi with even more opportunities for guests to enjoy this special and unique place,” says founder Che Metcalfe.
“Since day one, we’ve prioritised sustainability in all facets of our operation, and this build will be no exception.”
Months in the making, the project was granted approval after detailed discussions with environmental authorities. Construction is expected to begin soon, with the first cabins opening by the end of 2025 and the remainder completed in early 2026.
Metcalfe says the new cabins mark Stage 2 of a larger, 3-stage master plan for the island, one that will later expand to include earth-sheltered villas, additional premium facilities, and a new restaurant overlooking the water.
Each cabin will be built from sustainable timbers and natural materials such as Venetian plaster, microcement, and stone.
“They’ll be left to naturally silver over time,” says Metcalfe. “That means no paint, no chemical coatings, everything is designed to age gracefully. They’ll be constructed off-site and brought over, lifted on single columns so they touch the land as lightly as possible.”
From above, the cabins will appear to hover above the bushland, a reflection of Rumi’s long-standing commitment to treading lightly.
“We’ve planted thousands of native species across the southern end of the island, and these cabins will sit just above that vegetation,” Metcalfe adds.
Rumi’s ethos has always been simple. Live luxuriously, but gently. The resort is entirely self-sufficient, powered by solar energy and supported by its own desalination plant. Water for the cabins will be supplied through the island’s solar-powered desalination plant, and wastewater will be treated through a Japanese system that recycles greywater to irrigate the native vegetation.
That same philosophy underpins the resort’s newest facilities, part of the second stage of the expansion. Alongside the cabins, guests can look forward to ocean-facing hot tubs, tennis courts and a Japanese onsen-style day spa offering slow, restorative rituals inspired by the sea and surrounding wilderness.
“The cabin area itself will function like a mini day spa,” Metcalfe explains.
“Every few cabins share a sundeck with a hot-tub spa, and some will even have massage facilities built in.”
The full-scale day spa, he says, will be a centrepiece for the island – a Japanese-style onsen made up of outdoor rooms and winding paths, with plunge pools, saunas, yoga decks, pavilions, massage rooms and outdoor showers scattered through landscaped gardens.
“It’s an outdoor collection of spa experiences where you can wander through,” he says.
Some areas will be private, with plunge pools and cabanas available to hire for the day, while others will be open communal zones surrounded by lush, native bushland.
There’s also a new culinary experience on the horizon. Shio, a Japanese restaurant overlooking the water, will join Rumi’s acclaimed Samphire, which recently earned a Chef Hat in the 2025 Australian Good Food Guide under Executive Chef Jono Sweet. Together, they’ll elevate Rumi’s already world-class dining program with a focus on clean, seasonal and sea-driven produce.
For Metcalfe, the connection to nature runs deep.
“I grew up surrounded by nature and animals, and I’ve always had an affinity for it,” he says.
“When we were building the island, if a tradie stepped on a seedling, I’d call them out in the group chat – that’s how much I care about this place. Whatever we do here should be in harmony with nature. It just makes sense.”
Set across 135 hectares of untouched island wilderness, Rumi has earned a reputation as one of Australia’s most romantic destinations. Guests spend their days paddleboarding, fishing, or sailing at sunset, and their nights under a sky thick with stars.
This expansion is a natural next step. A continuation of Rumi’s promise to live beautifully, tread lightly, and remind guests what luxury and true, “off-grid” living, really mean.
Completion slated for early 2026
What: Rumi on Louth expansion
Where: Louth Island SA 5607
For the website, click here.
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