About 1550 kilometres off the coast of mainland Australia, Swell Lodge is peacefully perched on the far-west edge of Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean.

When it opened in 2018, the property quickly gained international acclaim, positioning itself among some of the most remote luxury lodges in the country.

Award-winning wildlife photographer Chris Bray and his wife Jess listed Swell Lodge for sale in early 2024, so they could pursue new adventures. In the process, it was closed to the public.

But that’s not where this story ends. In fact, it’s only just beginning for new owners Rachel Kuchera and Owen Walsh, who are officially reopening the doors.

A quick recap

In 2025, Kuchera and Walsh were a few months into a lap around Australia, designed as a reset to map out their next moves.

The couple long held ambitions of building their own eco-lodge, but had recently failed to secure a property in Kalbarri, Western Australia. As their new caravan wound through the depths of the Kimberley, the conversation inevitably circled back.

Dreaming of “a little shack that opens straight onto the ocean”, Kuchera began searching for properties on the Cocos Keeling Islands, a destination long on her wish list. The results were underwhelming. After a little encouragement from Walsh, she turned to a more unconventional tool.

“I asked ChatGPT if there were any other listings,” Kuchera said.

“It brought up the same properties, and then added a footnote [that said] there’s also an eco-lodge for sale.”

It wasn’t on Cocos Keeling. Rather, it was more than 600 nautical miles (nearly 1000 kilometres) to the east-north-east on Christmas Island. Despite barely having heard of the external Australian territory, the couple described it as love at first sight.

Kuchera and Walsh got in touch with the Brays straight away. Within months, their dream had become a reality.

The resort’s two private chalets have been given a fresh look. Photo: Facebook

What to expect

Swell Lodge changed hands in January 2026, and Kuchera and Walsh had relocated to Christmas Island by early March.

After some quick refurbishments, they relaunched the all-inclusive accommodation to the public this May.

It marks a bold new chapter for Swell Lodge, building on its foundations while elevating the guest experience – starting with the chalets. Built in 2017 and 2018, the private suites have been fully refreshed with updated furnishings, soft linens, leather lounges and original artworks.

A private chef has also joined the team, to prepare all snacks and meals (including fine-dining degustation dinners) for guests. Breakfast hampers are also freshly prepared each morning and delivered directly to each chalet’s private deck.

As the only accommodation offering within Christmas Island National Park, the lodge provides rare access to one of the world’s most unique natural environments. New specialist guides lead guests on exclusive experiences and activities across this remote landscape, from witnessing the annual migration of the island’s 190 million red crabs to snorkelling its world-class reefs.

“It’s one of the most extraordinary places in Australia, and most people have never even heard of it,” Kuchera said.

Time your stay with the island’s annual red crab migration. Photo: Christmas Island

While much of the lodge’s original character remains, its offerings will continue to evolve alongside Australia’s luxury accommodation market. Plans for future developments have already been approved, including more villas, an onsite restaurant and dedicated accommodation for staff.

By 2027, Kuchera and Walsh also hope to introduce long-table dining events and community-led food experiences to the island. They are establishing a kitchen garden Flying Fish Cove to create a more sustainable food offering with local produce at its heart.

Swell Lodge operates on a fully inclusive model, covering accommodation, meals, activities, experiences and transfers – with capacity capped at just four guests at a time and fewer than 200 a year.

Demand is already sky-high – reservations for May sold out within a week of going live. Bookings for the remainder of the 2026 season (June to October) comprise just 70 all‑inclusive packages, available via the resort’s website.

Despite its remote location, change of hands and temporary closure, Swell Lodge has managed to retain its status as one of Australia’s most remarkable island escapes, a sentiment not lost on Kuchera and Walsh.

“We feel incredibly lucky to be part of its story,” the couple said.

Republished from Australian Traveller