Eco-friendly Lodging in Australia
By Russel Lang
(Russell, originally from Melbourne, loves to travel the world and write about the places he sees and people he meets).
If you are an ecotourist who believes in the adage, “take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints,” then you’ll be happy to know that the tourism industry is working hard to meet your needs. According to eTravel Business News, ecotourism is the fastest growing segment of tourism in the world today. In Australia, ecotourism is especially important as many of the environments you will find are distinct and contain wildlife unique to the continent.
One of the ways you can leave as little impact on the environment as possible when traveling is to stay at eco-friendly lodges. Fortunately, Australia is home to a number of environmentally-friendly resorts that are not just good for the environment but are so stunningly beautiful. You may not even realise that you are helping out Mother Nature.
O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat
The O’Reilly family were pioneers of ecotourism in Australia. The family’s eponymous retreat is in the Lamington National Park in Queensland, which is famous for its beautiful rainforests and more than 500 stunning waterfalls. O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat (a WTA member) proudly incorporates solar and gas services for water and space heating. The resort also uses recycled materials in some of its construction. In addition, O’Reilly’s offers a free Tree Top Walk, which is approximately 180 metres in length and made up of nine suspension bridges. This Tree Top Walk is an excellent way to view the beauty of the surrounding rainforest canopy.
Photo by thinboyfatter via Wikimedia Commons
Karijini Eco Retreat
If you are looking for simple eco-friendly accommodations in West Australia, then head to the Karijini Eco Retreat. It offers several different types of facilities, including deluxe eco tents, dorm-style tents and unpowered campsites. Water is solar heated and part of your room tariff goes toward the Karijini National Park’s care and conservation. On the retreat’s website, you can find a number of drives through the North West region from the Karijini Eco Resort. Some of the amazing sites that you can visit in the area include Monkey Mia, a bay famous for its friendly dolphins, the Pinnacles as well as the stunning gorges of Karijini National Park.
Photo by Mark O’Neil via Wikimedia Commons
Before embarking on a driving adventure in the remote outback, though, make sure to have drinking water in your car, as well as excellent coverage for your auto. Even if you think you can’t afford insurance for your vehicle, remember that there are a number of driving hazards in the outback, including kangaroos and emus. Fortunately, excellent budget insurance is available so you should never have to do without.
Lady Elliot Eco Island
Because this resort is situated in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park on its own cay, you’ll be surrounded on all sides by the beautiful blue ocean. The Lady Elliot Eco Island resort uses a number of green technologies, including a hybrid power station with solar panels that reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 70 percent, and also seawater desalination. If you like solitude, then you’ll enjoy your stay on Lady Elliot Eco Island as the number of visitors allowed on the cay is limited to 150 overnight guests. Another big plus at this resort? The Great Barrier Reef and loads of incredible sea life can be found just steps from your simple accommodations.
Photo by Richard Ling via Wikimedia Commons