CHRISTMAS Island’s first luxury eco-accommodation Swell Lodge has opened its doors providing knockout views of the Indian Ocean.
Positioned on a sea cliff with floor-to-ceiling glass and luxury appointments, the single solar-powered eco chalet is set along the uninhabited, rugged west coast of Christmas Island, renowned as the Galapagos of the Indian Ocean.
Swell Lodge is the first ecologically-sustainable accommodation to be approved in an Australian Federal National Park.
The new tourism project has been developed by wildlife photographers Chris and Jess Bray who run luxury, small-group photography tours around the world. In 2014 they started running tours to Christmas Island and fell in love with the location.
Situated around 1550 kilometres northwest of the Australian mainland, the remote Australian territory of Christmas Island is best known for the annual migration of some 50 million red crabs, a spectacular event described by Sir David Attenborough as one of the ten greatest natural wonders on earth. Water and air temperatures stay at 27-29 degrees year-round.
Guests can do as much or as little as they like, with daily activities including boat trips to the best snorkel spots, guided walks to waterfalls, beaches and blowholes, cave swims, a visit to the National Park’s research station and bird rehabilitation centre, tickets to the outdoor cinema, golf and access to a four-wheel-drive vehicle for island exploration. Optional extras include yoga and massage sessions, dive trips and fishing expeditions.
All-inclusive rates feature the services of private French chef Felix Legrand, with gourmet meals prepared for guests on their oceanfront deck using locally grown and foraged ingredients including crayfish, wahoo and tuna, coconut and wild papaya.
With the island’s mine and detention centre winding down, eco-tourism is regarded as the new future for Christmas Island.
Rates at Swell Lodge start at $690 per person per night with a portion going towards conservation projects in the National Park.
The eco-chalet is the first of eight planned by the couple.
1300-790-207, www.SwellLodge.com
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