Incredible Opportunity
Swell Lodge
Iconic property ready to expand
10 Acres of spectacular coastal Christmas Island National Park on a generous 25+10 year lease, with a proven startup and permission to expand to eight chalets, a restaurant & staff accomodation. A once in a lifetime opportunity.
Invest in eco-tourism boom
Global tourism rebounded in 2023, and is predicted to exceed pre-pandemic levels in 2024 and enjoy strong growth over the coming decade. Sustainability and eco-awareness is trending, as is the luxury tourism market and the appetite for new, lesser-known destinations. Swell Lodge is uniquely placed, in one of the world’s most extraordinary locations, to fully capitalise on this opportunity with the ability to expand already approved, and guaranteed exclusivity for the whole west coast. Swell Lodge is also the ONLY eco-lodge approved in ANY federally-managed National Park in Australia.
Opportunities like this come but once in a lifetime.
Christmas Island
A LOST WORLD
One of Australia’s most unique islands – an astonishing, jungle-clad, wildlife-filled landscape. Home to secluded turtle-nesting beaches, rare and unusual birds, world-class snorkelling and diving (including whale sharks, in season), waterfalls, blowholes and our famous red crab migration – Christmas Island is a beautifully safe (no dangerous snakes, spiders, jellyfish or shark encounters), rejuvenating Lost World, that Swell Lodge is helping transition into a sustainable future.
Virgin Australia flies from Perth on Tuesdays and Fridays (3.5 hours). It’s an international airport however, and charter flights and private jets arrive from Indonesia etc (Jakarta is only a 45min flight north). With it’s secluded location on a quiet island, Swell Lodge is an ideal luxury escape for celebrities and other VIPs.
Swell Lodge hits the market
Wildlife photographer Chris Bray leads small-group, luxury tours to many of the world’s most spectacular places including The Galapagos, Antarctica, Africa and Iceland. In 2012 he added Christmas Island to that esteemed list, though he was amazed that a place with such extraordinary natural wonders didn’t yet have any luxury eco-accomodation.
In 2016 the Australian Government put out a call for Expressions of Interest for establishment of an eco-lodge inside the Christmas Island National Park, and Chris put forward his vision, which was selected, and after exhaustive assessment, ultimately approved.
Building just two eco-chalets as a proof-of-concept, Swell Lodge opened in 2018 to critical acclaim, with private chefs wowing guests on their own oceanfront decks, daily guided activities and the highest eco-tourism certification possible, leading to a host of international awards.
After several successful years during which his initial investment was more than repaid (company profit and loss & balance sheets available on application) a change in personal circumstances has led Chris to put this iconic property on the market in 2024.
Far more than just two breathtaking glass-fronted eco-chalets on a 500m, 10-acre coastal slice of one of the world’s most unique national parks, significant value is in the generous, lengthy Lease Agreement with Parks Australia (available on application after signing an NDA) which includes approval for up to 8 eco-chalets, along with a restaurant, staff accomodation etc. It’s all ready to go.
An astute investor can walk in today and either continue the business as-is, or capitalise on the huge opportunity to develop Swell Lodge to it’s full potential, enjoying multiplied rewards brought through economy of scale, while simultaneously living the dream on a remote tropical island, championing it’s continued transition to a sustainable, environmentally-friendly future.
Seeking offers over $1m AUD.
Inclusions
SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST TWO MAGNIFICENT, SECLUDED, OFF-GRID ECO-CHALETS
The Lease Agreement with Parks Australia, which already approves for up to 8 eco-chalets, as well as a restaurant, common area, staff accommodation etc. The lease is for 25 years +10 extra (of which we’re 5 years in, so about 30 years left), and guaranteed exclusivity for the whole west coast. Swell Lodge is unique in being the ONLY eco-lodge inside ANY of the federally-managed national parks in Australia.
A fleet of Swell Lodge vehicles, including a luxury Hyundai Grand Starex guest van, a V8 Toyota Landcruiser Troop Carrier, and Mazda CX7 staff car.
Crab-safe vehicle attachments for the Landcruiser, along with a permit for their use on the otherwise closed road to the lodge during the red crab migration.
Many spare lodge parts, including two completely new roofs, spare solar panels, spare hot water system, replacement side walls for both bathrooms, etc.
A 12,000 L road-accessible water tank on a hill above the lodge (in the National Park) that conveniently gravity feeds the lodge with water via 1km of surface laid polypipe, and a 5,000 L water cartage tank that is used to re-fill that main tank a couple of times a year.
A 5KVA auto-start diesel generator mounted on a slab near the lodge which kicks in to charge the eco-chalet’s lithium batteries if needed after too many cloudy days.
A cellar of hundreds of bottles of wine (red, white & sparkling) and other operating consumables, etc.
The highest eco-accreditation possible from Eco Tourism Australia, a host of awards, brand awareness, and existing bookings for the season ahead.
Front-row seats every year to be in the middle of one of the world’s largest animal migrations, when 50-100 million red crabs emerge from the jungle and migrate down to the coast to spawn!
OPTIONAL EXTRA
A large, modern, 3-up, 2-down house in town on freehold land is also available to purchase as an optional extra. Currently used as a Swell Lodge staff house upstairs (3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, ample parking, ocean glimpses, minimal maintenance garden), and the owner currently lives in the self-contained 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom apartment underneath, with tranquil garden, ponds etc. Price to buy the entire house (up & down) around $675,000 AUD, or alternatively there is the option to secure long term rental of the upstairs house for Swell Lodge staff.
Interested?
Seeking offers over $1m AUD – serious investors are invited to contact Chris by email on [email protected] – and he will be happy to answer any questions you have surrounding this opportunity, and provide all relevant documents (Lease Agreement, company profit & loss reports, balance sheets etc) after you sign the required Non-Disclosure Agreement.
“Life is too short to miss Swell Lodge. Falling asleep with the stars and the ocean, delicious meals, amazing tours and knowledgeable staff made it beyond brilliant. Our souls are richer for our visit to Christmas Island.”
“The attention to detail and quality of every aspect of our week was exceptional and gave us the best experience of this Australian treasure imaginable. Words cannot truly give justice to this experience!”
“Sitting on the deck watching the sun set over the ocean we felt like we were the only people on the planet! We are so fortunate to have experienced the magic of Swell Lodge. We’ll be back!”
Luxury Wilderness Lodge of the Year
Global Award World Luxury Hotel Awards ’21 & ’23
“This award is testimony to the extraordinary vision and dedication that has gone into creating this uniquely secluded eco-lodge right on the coast, inside one of the world’s most incredible national parks.”
‘Best Luxury Ocean View Retreat’ (Global ’23)
‘Best Luxury Eco Lodge’ (Australia & Oceania ’23)
