Author Archives: Acclario

We warmly welcome our most recent member, Coral Inn Boutique Hotel, to our Ecotourism Australia family, who was successful in achieving certification at Nature Tourism level. Congratulations!

Coral Inn Boutique Hotel is in the heart of Yeppoon, just a two-minute drive to Yeppoon’s Main Beach and has been operated as an accommodation business for over eight years. The business has always been committed to protecting, nurturing and maintaining the critical balance between their business, its surrounding community and the diverse ecosystem of the Australian wildlife. Coral Inn Boutique Hotel is also an award-winning, 4.5 star accommodation. 

Coral Inn Boutique Hotel acknowledges the cultural ownership of Yeppoon area as Darumbal Aboriginal people of the Ningebal tribe, the recognised Traditional Custodians of the Byron Bay District. As a sustainable business operation, Coral Inn respects the Darumbal Aboriginal culture where their stories and cultural learnings are still passed on to younger generations.

As a business operating on the Capricorn Coast, Coral Inn ensures it safeguards the flora and fauna of the area, especially the Capricorn Yellow Chat – a critically endangered endemic species, flying foxes, micro-bats, white-breasted sea eagles, wedgetail eagles and Banksias and Norfolk pines. As an initiative to reduce the environmental impacts of their business, the staff of Coral Inn Boutique Hotel have taken steps to reduce their consumption of energy and water usage and have initiated several waste-management projects using different approaches.

For example, Coral Inn has switched over to 100% solar power usage during the daytime since mid of 2016 while also providing solar-powered hot water to guest rooms. The hotel also uses rainwater collecting tanks on the premises and 25000 litres worth of collected rainwater are used for toilets and garden maintenance. To reduce the carbon footprint of their operations, Coral Inn encourages their guests to use their bikes and electric scooter rental service as an alternative to driving. Moreover, the hotel also offers electric car charging ports as an additional amenity.  

Coral Inn’s organic gardens concept, organic commitment and recycling efforts are praiseworthy – the hotel composts its organic waste to grow organic herbs, greens, vegetables and fruits in the organic garden. The hotel’s staff also purchase fresh products from the local market which is also a move forward to give back something to the community they operate in. Bottles, glass, paper/cardboard, organic waste and landfill waste are disposed of separately and information regarding recycling processes are provided to guests on arrival with their welcome pack. Coral Inn is keen on sourcing products locally where possible from purchasing goods to hiring service providers as a part of their sustainable approach.

Architecturally designed buildings complimenting the landscape encourage guests to spend more time outdoors. Low flow rain shower heads, dual flush toilets, light sensitive timer switches for lightings in public areas, low energy use compact LED bulbs, biodegradable cleaning agents and strict adhering to local council recycling programmes are some sustainable approaches of Coral Inn as a part of their environmental management plan. 

Above all, Coral Inn provides its guests exceptional service at this environmentally friendly boutique hotel so people can gather memories to cherish for their lifetime.

Once more, we welcome Coral Inn Boutique Hotel onboard, and we wish them all the very best to continue their good practice!

For more information, please visit their website or Facebook page.

(All images courtesy of Coral Inn Boutique hotel)

Ecotourism Australia is excited to announce our newest member, Kookaburra Tagalong Tours, who have just achieved certification at the Nature Tourism level. With a passion for 4WD and camping, Kookaburra Tagalong Tours are eager to take travellers off the beaten path to locations they wouldn’t have seen otherwise.

Kookaburra Tagalong Tours are set to take travellers on tours in Queensland, New South Wales, the Northern Territory and South Australia through some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes in the country. Each tour is packed full of thrills for the experienced 4WDer and newer outback drivers alike, with support from guides to help groups along the way. Their tours are motivated by a focus on treading lightly, aiming to take measures to reduce their carbon footprint and connecting with local Indigenous communities for a responsible and authentic tourism experience.

If you’re one for non-stop adventure, Kookaburra Tagalong Tours’ 20-day Arnhem Land Adventure Tour is bound to keep you busy, giving lucky travellers access to areas off-limits to the average 4WDer. Starting in Mataranka, this tour takes visitors on the scenic route all the way to the Northern Territory’s coast and back down to Katherine. Travellers will have plenty of opportunities to explore local communities, camp by stunning beaches, go fishing, go on hikes, and take part in cultural experiences along the way. This tour is undoubtedly the best way to see the Northern Territory’s stunning landscapes.

The ANZAC Outback Pubs Experience is a 10-day journey splitting its time between Queensland and New South Wales, taking travellers to at least 25 unique outback pubs for the explorer interested in seeing what makes outback towns tick. This all-Aussie experience gives travellers a chance to get to know people in their hometowns, inquire into the local history, and includes a poignant ANZAC Day Service in the Opal Fields. This tour is an excellent insight into Australian war history between thrilling 4WD travelling.

The 12-day Hay River and Central Australia Scenic Tracks tour begins in Birdsville and takes travellers across the stunning Simpson Desert. If camping under the stars and sand dune driving sounds like where you’d rather be, this tour is bound to be on your travel list. What better way to see Central Australia?

The Flinders Ranges and Outback South Australia 4WD tour spanning over 13 days is a great chance to develop your 4WD skills with guidance from Kookaburra Tagalong Tours’ expert guides. Starting in Quorn to see the historic town, travellers will spend 5 days admiring the vast and dramatic scenery that is the Flinders Ranges.

Finally, the Crossing the Madigan Line tour takes travellers on a 11-day historical exploration into the journey taken by Dr. Cecil Madigan, who led his party of 9 men and 19 camels across the northern part of the Simpson Desert in 1939. Travellers will have the chance to retrace history, interspersed with wildlife sightings, driving under brilliant desert skies, and seeing first-hand the stunning landscapes along the way. Be immersed in Australia’s natural beauty on this 4WD tour.  

Kookaburra Tagalong Tours are set to stun travellers with their immersive 4WD tours, and Ecotourism Australia is excited to welcome them as a Nature Tourism certified member!