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The Cephalopod, a small eco-retreat, has just opened on The Cocos (Keeling) Islands, making it a rare new accommodation on Australia\u2019s most remote islands.<\/strong><\/p>\n The retreat sits among the palms and is just metres from the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean.<\/p>\n Local couple Emma Washer & Pete Wicks, who own The Big Barge Art Centre caf\u00e9 on the island, built the retreat. The couple repurposed what they could find wherever possible to build The Cephalopod. They collected and gave second life to beautiful timbers salvaged from original island bungalows along with interesting washed-up beach timbers.<\/p>\n Re-purposed interiors including a pendant light fashioned from a flotsam buoy, a woven rope welcome mat and walls adorned with local artist work, add to the pod\u2019s calming, maritime feel. A favourite is a large log that washed up on a sandbar in the Cocos Lagoon, likely having drifted across the ocean from Indonesia, salvaged using a portable mill and boat to be transformed into The Cephalopod\u2019s kitchen bench.<\/p>\n Sustainability extends beyond the materials used in the build too. A rainwater tank and eco-toilet will\u00a0reduce The Cephalopods environmental footprint, a considerable approach to water and waste \u2013 important in a remote island environment where resources are finite.<\/p>\n The result is an eco-style retreat that feels very much at home in its surroundings. The Cephalopod is quiet and private, with a soft palette of blues and greens, high-quality linens, handmade ceramics and a focus on simplicity and slowing down.<\/p>\n