How ChatGPT search saw Aussie couple buy tropical island lodge for $395,000
When travel and hospitality experts Rachel Kucera and Owen Walsh decided they wanted their own small hotel project, they started looking around Australia.
The avid travellers were driving around the county in their caravan, and after another property fell through when they decided to look further afield.
Rachel and owen found Swell Lodge was for sale on Christmas Island. Swell
They searched for listings on the remote Aussie territories of Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
With just a handful of holiday properties on the islands, the internet didn’t throw up much.
So, Rachel input the search into AI engine, ChatGPT.
“We had been looking for a project we could combine our skills and passions and sink our teeth into,” Rachel, 39, from Perth, told nine.com.au.
Travel and hospitality experts Rachel Kucera and Owen Walsh decided they wanted their own small hotel project Swell Lodge
“I plugged into ChatGPT a search for properties on the islands in the hope to find more listings, and a note popped up saying that the eco lodge on Christmas Island was for sale.
“I clicked the link, saw the iconic shot of the lodge perched over the crystal blue ocean and fringing reef and I honestly felt like I’d been punched in the chest, in the best possible way.”
Swell Lodge and everything which went with it was listed for $1m.
Negotiations began that night, and they went to see it a month later and “fell in love.”
In the end, the couple paid $395,000 for the lodge – cheaper than an apartment pretty much anywhere in Australia.
Christmas Island is just south of Indonesia in the Indian Ocean. istock
Running Swell Lodge
Now, they have just finished their first season running the small all-inclusive resort which welcomes only four pampered guests at a time.
But life on a pristine tropical island comes with many challenges, Rachel, who also runs a hospitality and tourism marketing agency, said.
Rachel Kucera and Owen Walsh have just finished their first season on Christmas Island. Swell Lodge
Everything has to be imported, and it’s no easy feat, especially as they are also the publicans for The Bosun Tavern and run café, The Island Pantry.
“Everything is brought in daily – meals, linens, amenities, transport so there are many factors to consider to keep that as streamlined as possible,” she said.
Options include a sea barge from Fremantle which costs up to $20,000 a container. That’s if it turns up.
“We have had a hard run this year, with most of the scheduled barge runs being six to eight weeks late, and one reaching the island only to be turned around by a wasp that had hitched a ride from Cocos and presented a large biosecurity risk,” she said.
And while there’s a fortnightly freight plane, shipping costs $8.20 per kilogram.
Again, that’s if your orders even make it on to the flight.
“Due to the issues with the barge, it has placed more demand on the air freight services which means it’s not uncommon for our orders to be left in Perth,” she said.
The pair have already given the two chalets a revamp at Swell Lodge on Christmas Island. Swell Lodge
There is a single fisherman they source wahoo and tuna from, and a limited number of groceries to buy.
“I purchased a whole cabbage for $38 the other week,” she said.
However, the couple is growing their own gardens plus want to set up an island buying scheme.
World-famous crabs
While Christmas Island was also home to a government detention centre and casino resort, both, lie empty.
But it’s perhaps best known for the red crab migration.
The famous red crabs of Christmas Island. Supplied
Sir David Attenborough even called it one of his greatest and most memorable television moments.
Every year during the wet season, the creatures head out of their rainforest homes to the sea to spawn. The males lead the way, followed by the females, creating a sea of red.
Remarkably, they're guided by the moon.
After mating, male crabs will make the long journey back to the forest. The females will release their eggs on the beach before also heading home.
Rachel said its “phenomenal” to see.
“The island rearranges itself around them: roads close, traffic is diverted and everyone makes way for the crabs to do their thing,” she said.
One of the eco lodges at Swell Lodge on Christmas Island. Swell Lodge
It also has a golf course which Rachel said has “special rules for when a robber crab steals your ball.”
However, she said you don’t need to visit during the migration to see the creatures.
Other wildlife to spot includes birds, the Christmas Island flying fox, reptiles and abundant sea life.
A surprise visitor
The couple also got a random interloper earlier this year, all the way from space.
Part of Elon Musk’s SpaceX rocket washed up nearby.
“The SpaceX rocket was quite a sight, sitting offshore in view of the pub deck for weeks. Not your everyday beer garden view,” she said.
Part of Elon Musk’s SpaceX rocket washed up nearby. Swell
Visiting Christmas Island
While Swell Lodge is a luxurious place to stay with a price tag to match, you don’t need to spend a fortune to go to the island.
Most of the other accommodation options are small holiday homes and guest houses.
There are Qantas flights from Perth which take just under four hours and cost around $600 each way.
“Look at the simpler accommodation options, or come with friends so you can share accommodation and car hire costs,” Rachel said.
“People come for the wildlife, diving, rainforest and spectacular coastline, but there’s just as much to discover in the community, culture and history.
“There’s something very special about this little island.”
