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Just minutes from the Port of Airlie, you will find the family-owned Big 4 Whitsundays Tropical Eco Resort. Situated in the ideal location for travelers to explore the 74 islands that make up the Whitsundays, you are also just a 5-minute drive from Airlie’s tourist center, shops and restaurants; making this the ideal tropical family holiday location. The park also allows for that authentic tropical nature fix, being nestled among 7 acres of tropical foliage, adjacent to the stunning Conway National Park.

With a variety of accommodation options to suit every traveler’s needs, the park offers powered and un-powered camp sites, villas, studios, 2-bedroom apartments and their brand-new eco lodges, all with spectacular mountain views. The eco lodges feature furniture made from recycled timber from trees that fell in cyclone Debbie.

Big 4 Whitsundays Tropical Eco Resort has achieved EA Ecotourism certification through their goals to reduce waste, regularly monitoring their carbon emissions, promoting nature based and low impact activities and supporting conservation projects and initiatives.

Well done on the certification Big 4 Whitsunday Tropical Eco Resort and keep up the good work.

Find out more here. 

When I call Craig “Hassie” Haslam on Skype, I’m amazed how good his internet connection is. His office, shelves piled high with colourful folders and paperwork indicative of someone running a well-functioning and demanding business, is located at his Coodlie Park Farm Retreat, a 3000-acre remote farm stay on the coast of the Eyre Peninsula, miles away from the busyness of everyday life.

This coast is a place that Hassie calls his backyard, but one he shares with many other people. When he and wife Jo bought the property 20 years ago, it was “a run-down sh*$ hole,” in dire need of some TLC – today, it attracts travellers from near and far who come to the area to enjoy its tranquillity, excellent fishing and natural beauty (did someone say private beach, star-strewn sky and Instagram-worthy natural infinity pools?).

It’s a part of the country that in some ways is still untouched, and Hassie’s passion for not only sharing it but doing everything he can to protect it becomes immediately evident as we start talking.

“Eight or ten years ago it became very fashionable to offset your carbon footprint,” he explains, “[but] we never did it for that reason – we did it because we wanted to. We wanted to set a benchmark.

“I’ve always had this philosophy that you should try to leave a place better than when you found it.”

Coodlie Park Farm Retreat is, as far as Hassie is aware, Australia’s only travel business to not only be 100% carbon neutral, but offsetting all its carbon internally, on its own property. It’s an accolade he wears with pride:

“I’ve always had a vision that Coodlie Park Farm Retreat could be showcased as a model [of what’s possible] that could stimulate fresh and new ideas,” he says. “I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved.”

New ideas are something which Hassie has plenty of, and some of the property’s more quirky features are testament to this. The bucket showers, for example, are water-saving measures that involve twelve eight-litre buckets and a dual pulley system to release only a minimal amount of water for people to use for showering. It’s an idea that sprung out of necessity – as Hassie explains, the property used to run out of water every year and guests often had no understanding of what this really meant. 

“A lot of people do want to do the right thing but just don’t know how. It’s up to [tourism businesses] to show them what is the right thing is. One of my favourite moments was when one of our guests – a tall, young, blonde woman from the UK – excitedly joined the campfire one evening after successfully managing to wash her hair, shave her legs and have a complete shower all from one bucket of water.

“You know you’re having a positive impact when people get involved and gain a sense of pride from learning and realising how much they can actually do to help.” 

So what challenges has Hassie faced in his quest to constantly improve his business to be better for the planet? Well time, for one thing:

“I’m as busy as a centipede skipping!” Hassie exclaims. He adds that whilst travellers – backpackers and WWOOFers (Willing Workers on Organic Farms), mainly – express a desire to help with tree planting and sponsoring trees and there are opportunities to create these experiences for his visitors,  the day-to-day work of running a tourism business (Hassie also runs the Nullabor Traveller and Xplore Eyre touring companies, which take guests throughout South and Western Australia) take up most of his time.

Another challenge is quantifying – one of Hassie’s dreams is for international visitors to be able to easily calculate and offset their entire trip to Australia from start to finish at his property – but he says he needs a matrix that can spit out these numbers.

“It’s not something we have, yet.”

So, with all of his touring and limited time, is there any brain space left for new ideas? Hassie says he’s glad he gets to work with reliable people who are always willing to help, and that he is definitely someone who keeps striving to learn more, try more and improve the way he runs his business.

“We already pay for green electricity and put some back into the grid. We have 50,000 gallons of tank storage on the property to collect rain, we have 10kw of solar on the property. My next plan is to create a hot water wall, using solar panels, that operates like a beer keg.”

Apart from thinking outside the box, does Hassie have any suggestions for other operators looking to get more serious about climate action and carbon neutral tourism? You may be surprised to hear that he doesn’t consider himself an environmentalist at heart, and nor does he feel qualified to offer advice. Instead, he seems humbly reflective:

“We’ve made a lot of mistakes along the way; we’ve tried different things. In retrospect, there are things I could have done differently. At the end of the day, I just think that we make choices, and if we want to make a place better than when we find it, and we make that our ethos, it’s pretty simple. The ideas will come.” He is hopeful that other businesses can be inspired by what Coodlie Park has achieved:

“Maybe they’ll ask: if they can do it out there in the middle of the sticks, why can’t we?”

For more information on Coodlie Park Farm Retreat, please visit their website or Facebook page.

For more eco-travel inspiration, check out our Green Travel Guide.

APEC Addresses Greenwashing in Tourism and refers to the importance of GSTC in a new Policy Report Demand for sustainable tourism has been on the rise, and with it came exaggerated sustainability claims – also known as “greenwashing”. This policy brief addresses the issue by examining the use of environmental certifications to address greenwashing and […]

The post APEC: Recognising Sustainability in Tourism appeared first on Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).

Do a quick Google search of ‘glamping’ and an abundance of Instagram-worthy, boho-styled, canvas safari tent-like accommodation will flood your screen. Usually situated on a pristine beach or in a lush jungle, you’ll likely think to yourself ‘yeah as if, places like that don’t exist.’ Boy oh boy does it make you itch for a weekend away, though. Well, turns out, the weekend of your dreams does exist, and it has for 20 years.

Situated near the white sand beaches and pristine waters of Jervis Bay, NSW, you will find the pioneers of glamping, Paperbark Camp, which first opened its doors in April 1999. Nestled amongst native Australian bush, you will find the cosy canvas cabins that have now become synonymous with luxury camping: The perfect base for a nature filled weekend. Although, there’s absolutely no judgement here if you choose to stay in the bath all weekend, either… I mean, look at that view:

Paperbark camp gives you the opportunity to enjoy a sunset bevvy from your private deck, just as the founders did when they conceived the idea in Africa in the early 90s. Irena and Jeremy Hutchings had fallen in love with the style of accommodation they frequented on safari in Africa. The idea of being amongst nature, without the hassle of packing and unpacking camping gear, but with the comfort of a few simple luxuries, all the while sticking to their camping-addicted roots, was appealing to say the least.  Why was this not happening in Australia, they wondered? After deciding to leave their jobs and buy a 100-acre site of untouched, creek front bushland in Jervis Bay, their dream became reality. Yet could the couple ever foresee the emergence of the now very hashtagable trend of ‘glamping’?

“We have always embraced growth in the market,” says Camilla Hamilford, Paperbark’s Sales and Marketing Manager. “We believe the more that people experience this type of accommodation the more they seek it out when they travel elsewhere. When we started out, the word glamping hadn’t been invented, but twenty years on you can find glamping in all corners of the country and in many different styles, from much more basic to super luxurious!”

Twenty years on and Paperbark Camp welcomes guests from all over the globe who are looking for a genuine Australian bush experience, as well as city slickers simply just looking for a breather.

“In the earlier days we would have said that our guests were very much professional and well-travelled, an adventurer looking for something different for their quiet getaway, reflects Camilla.

“These days we feel that we appeal to a much broader market, people understand the concept of glamping and are looking for a more unique experience when travelling. So, these days we welcome all sorts of people [and] even if it’s a bit outside their comfort zone, they nearly always leave so glad they have had the experience.”

Long before sustainability was ‘in’, the Hutchings were thinking green. When planning commenced on the project in the 90s, the concept of ecotourism was small and relatively unheard of*. It was the Hutching’s desire to maintain as much peace and beauty of the natural environment as possible that really drove Paperbark Camp’s sustainability mission to the forefront of their business operations.

With the emergence of climate change concerns and the growth in demand for travel that impacted the environment as little as possible, Paperbark Camp was quickly recognised as leader in the field and achieved Advanced Ecotourism Certification in its first year of operation. The owners and staff are dedicated to continuous improvement and leaving a lasting positive impact on their local environment. You can read more about their sustainability initiatives here.

From all of us here at Ecotourism Australia: Happy birthday, Paperbark Camp, and all the best for the next 20 years!

Want to know about some of our other ecotourism pioneers? Check out our certification Hall of Fame.

For more information about Paperbark Camp, check out their website or follow them on social media.

For more green travel inspiration, visit our Green Travel Guide.

*Though we were talking about it too!

[Photos: Paperbark Camp]

Catch A Crab Tour & Oyster Farm

Calling all seafood lovers! The original Gold Coast crabbing and oyster adventure tour is the experience you didn’t know you needed, but is soon become the one you want. The folks at Catch A Crab will provide you with an unforgettable Australian outdoor lifestyle experience. You will enjoy activities along the likes of fishing, yabbie pumping and trapping of live mud crabs. All this activity is followed by one of the best seafood lunches you’ll find at the Lakeside Café, overlooking the oyster farms. What more could you want in a day out?

 Find out more here.

Artisan Food and Wine Tour

You will be afforded all the highlights of Kangaroo Island’s well known wildlife, coastal scenery and rolling hinterland, while experiencing the best of local artisans with one of the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Food and Wine Tours. Greeted at your accommodation by local guides, you will be taken on a taste experience; sampling local seafoods including Marron, Crayfish (in season) and King George Whiting. You will also visit numerous local wineries with a spectacular view and many (emphasis on many) tasters. To top off your day and your palate, you’ll wrap up with cocktail hour at Kangaroo Island Spirits. It’s time to design your own cocktail. Yuuuuuum!

Find out more here.

Photo: Kangeroo Island Wilderness Tours

Whitehaven Beach BBQ

If a barbecue lunch is all you’re after, we have the experience for you. Departing from Airlie Beach, Whitehaven Xpress visits both Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Lookout to allow you to absorb the surreal views. Whilst experiencing the famous and breathtaking Whitehaven beach, you will get the full Aussie treatment with a beach BBQ! Voted the best BBQ lunch in the Whitsundays, you’ll feast on steak, sausages, chilli burgers, salad and tropical fruits under the native trees. Top the day off with a snorkel or glass bottom boat tour.  

Find out more here. 

Photo: Coconut Plantation Thala Beach Nature Reserve  

Coconut Odyssey

Sticking to the Tropical Queensland theme, head out to the secluded retreat of your dreams. Near Port Douglas, located on a secluded beach, surrounded by forest, you will find the private nature reserve of Thala Beach. Sitting atop a headland with breathtaking vistas, it is the perfect base to explore the Great Barrier Reef & Daintree Rainforest. Thala Beach Nature Reserve offers guests one of the only coconut tours in Australia. Throughout the tour you will get to drink and eat from a variety of coconuts including the ‘Coconut Apple’; as well as learning all about their health benefits of coconuts. Labelled as the ‘tour that help you lose weight without exercising’ how could you say no?

Find out more here.

Hot Springs Graze & Bathe

Rejuvenation for the mind, body and tummy? Situated on the Mornington Peninsula awaits an experience like no other at Peninsula Hot Springs. Natural thermal mineral waters flow into the pools and private baths at this coastal oasis; providing an idyllic setting for relaxation and rejuvenation. You can graze and bathe with an array of dining packages available; from exclusive Moroccan tents to grazing platters and wine, or maybe just a quiet breakfast for two. This is absolutely on my bucket list, what about you?

Find out more here.

Photo: Peninsula Hot Springs

Sunset Cultural & Dining Experience

The Northern Territory’s Nitmiluk Gorge is a maze of waterways sculpted from sandstone cliffs by the Katherine River. Sit back and relax as the tranquil surroundings transport you into a spiritual world of the Jawoyn culture and history. The Nabilil Dreaming Sunset Dinner Tour will have you discover the stories and ways of the Jawoyn people against the magnificent backdrop of the Nitmiluk Gorge, changing colour with the setting sun. This idyllic tour includes a three-course candlelight dinner, featuring local Australian produce, cooked on board. This unique experience will have you falling in love with the Nothern Territory and its local produce.

Find out more here.

Photo: Nitmiluk Tours

The Perfect Weekender

We get it, sometimes you don’t want to do anything but eat, drink and relax by the pool. Why not do that in one of Australia’s most beautiful landscapes? Sangoma Retreat, nestled in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, offers complete tranquility and a luxury weekend ‘bush experience’ in a restful, lush setting. The dining is in a class of its own highlighting locally sourced, organic produce and indulgent seasonal menus. Dining here is an activity within itself and well worth your time. I feel nourished just thinking about it.

Find out more here.   

Photo: Spicers Sangoma Retreat Restaurant

Off Road Wine Tour with a Local

Get out of the city and off the beaten track with Simmo’s Offroad Tours. Simmo will provide you with Scenic 4WD Wine & Produce Tours of the Orange & Bathurst cool-climate wine region. These tours feature breathtaking lookouts from Mount Canobolas and a guided tour through Borenore Caves. Guests also meet with local grape-growers, wine makers, orchardists, and local farmers. No one knows better than the locals!

Find out more here.

Helicopter Food & Wine Tour

Now this is how you take your lunch to the next level (literally).  Just a short trip from Brisbane you can jump aboard a Pterodactyl Helicopter and embark on a food tour you’ve never experienced before. Show up to lunch like a Rockstar, as Pterodactyl Helicopters flies you to a selection of South East Queensland’s finest restaurants, quirky cafes, boutique breweries, award winning wineries and authentic Australian pubs. You can even get flown into your very own secluded picnic location (did someone say Insta-worthy or what). On your flight you’ll get a birds-eye view of Brisbane, Ipswich, the Scenic Rim, Sommerset and the Lockyer Valley. This is an experience that is just way too cool to pass up.

Find out more here.

Photo: Pterodactyl Helicopters

[Header Photo: Peninsular Hot Springs]

Want more foodie inspiration? Try searching by “Food & Wine” in our Green Travel Guide!

True heroes are the ones who not only have great ideas, but are willing to share these ideas with others, knowing that they’ll benefit too.

That’s what Crystal Creek Meadows’ Christopher Warren is like – he invented a sustainability management system for tourism accommodations which allows financial savings to be directed straight into nature conservation. How? It uses real-time resource use data and gives guests practical tips on how to save on energy and water.

Chris says the system – called My Green Butler – took years to develop and be ready for market – in fact, it took five years of research and development, using Crystal Creek Meadows as a test site. This research and testing culminated in doctorate research, which provided evidence that visitors to destinations can be persuaded to reduce their consumption.

“The big idea behind [My Green Butler] is to explain that resource conservation, not eco-efficient technologies or renewable energy alone, should be a key strategy to reduce carbon emissions to internationally agreed levels,” explained Chris.

He goes on to note that resource conservation through behaviour adaptation can empower hosts and guests to reduce their energy and water use by using climate change adaptation.

Chris is so dedicated to sharing this message that he’s has published 13 scientific papers on the topic, created a short video explaining how My Green Butler works and is currently writing an easy-to-read self-help book for accommodation managers to identify ways to conserve resources and persuade their guests to do the same.

“Efficiency and renewables are not adequate to help prevent escalating global warming and extreme weather events which impact wildlife and their habitats,” Christopher notes. He says eco-efficient technologies do not change people’s behaviour and that we’re unlikely to have sufficient quantities of renewables to replace fossil fuels in time for target carbon emission reduction dates.

Christopher’s implementation of the Green Butler System at his own accommodation business, Crystal Creek Meadows, has resulted in a massive reduction in carbon emissions, from 50 tonnes a year to just 15. The property itself has also been rejuvenated, resulting in a growth in bird species from 20 to 100 and a return of the local wombat population.

So what do his staff and guests think?

“Everyone at Crystal Creek Meadows has been involved in the development of My Green Butler,” Chris notes, “whether they’re the cleaner or a business partner.” He says this brings a diversity of perspectives, encourages a more holistic solution to challenges and enables everyone to take ownership of the program.

And guests, who are motivated by persuasive face-to-face interaction with passionate staff and a daily advice sheet and web app, seem more than willing to comply – especially when they know that all fiscal savings are donated to two local wildlife caring charities.

“Ecotourism is considered the pinnacle of sustainable tourism and therefore has a leadership role for all tourism to promote and celebrate innovative methods to progress the entire sector to a far higher level of climate change mitigation and adaptation,” Chris says.

We couldn’t agree more!

For more information on Crystal Creek Meadows, visit their website or Facebook page. For more information about My Green Butler, check out MyGreenButler.com.

For more information on our other Everyday Ecotourism Heroes, check out the other articles in this series:

• Edition 1: Ronda Green, Araucaria Ecotours
• Edition 2: Zane Robnik, Park Trek
• Edition 3: Jess Leask, Kings Ningaloo Reef
• Edition 4: Zak Kelly, Whitsunday Segway Tours
• Edition 5: Tracey Larkin, Mt Barney Lodge
• Edition 6: Alex Crowe, Broger’s End Kangaroo Valley
• Edition 7: Elizabeth Hackett, Magnums Backpackers
• Edition 8: Judith Muir, Polperro Dolphin Swims
• Edition 9: Margaret Heffernan, Back Country Bliss

Is there someone in your business who you think is an Everyday Ecotourism Hero? Tell us about them!

Have we piqued your interest in travelling sustainably? Make sure you check out our Green Travel Guide and news page for some eco travel inspiration!

Some travel for adventure, others travel to relax – whatever your reason, I think we can all agree it should be accessible for everyone! We’ve compiled a list of some of our absolute favourite locations and activities that are suitable for varying accessibility levels, wants and needs.

Tours

1. Cooinda Lodge Kakadu

 For one of the most authentic Australian travel experiences your heart could desire, you cannot go past Kakadu. Listed as a World Heritage Area for its natural and cultural heritage, Kakadu is one of the world’s greatest nature reserves. Cooinda Lodge Kakadu attracts visitors with a variety of interests for its dazzling bird life, crocodile spotting, guided cruises and proximity to Kakadu’s magnificent waterways and falls. If you’re looking for a real Kakadu experience that caters to your needs, look no further than a stay at the Cooinda Lodge. Pair your stay with a nature filled experience with Yellow Water Cruise. Both the cruises and accommodation have wheelchair access and staff to assist with what you need.

Find out more here.

 Kakadu Cruise Photo: Kakadu Nation Park

2. Rottnest Express

Home of the humble (but famous!) quokka, Rottnest is a must-see destination, and no one has to miss out! Rottnest Island sits just a leisurely cruise off the Fremantle coast of WA. Rottnest Express have facilities to ensure that everyone can experience what this spectacular location has to offer. Most of their vessels have wheelchair access and priority boarding. Simply contact the company and they will suggest and sort out the most appropriate tour for you and your requirements. Too easy!

Find out more here.

Rottnest Island Photo: Rottnest Express

3. Wildlife Coast Cruises

 If you’ve never considered seeing Phillip Island, you probably should. Wildlife Coast Cruises caters for everyone with sunset cruises, dolphin cruises, whale cruises and seal cruises (see, we really mean everyone). If you’re going to do Phillip Island, there is no better company for you. Wildlife Coast Cruises pride themselves on making all their experiences inclusive for all abilities. Accessible parking, wheelchair access, seating on jetty and boat decks, accessible toilets with additional room and grab handles, and heavily discounted tickets for companion and care card holders are all available.

Find out more here.

Accommodation

4. Cape Byron Trust: Mildenhall Cottage

Mildenhall Cottage offers the perfect location to those who love nature and privacy. This is a particularly stunning holiday destination, showcasing Byron’s sensational beaches and hinterland vistas. This location provides accessibility with wheelchair access and accessible bathrooms. You can relax comfortably on the deck, watching the sun set over the hinterland, listening to the sound of waves crashing on surrounding beaches.

Find out more here.

The Lighthouse Precinct, Cape Byron State Conservation Area. Photo: John Spencer

5. Apollo Bay Eco YHA

Who says being on a budget means compromising? The Apollo Bay Eco YHA provides quality budget accommodation on the famous Great Ocean Road. Room types vary to your preference with wheelchair access available – simply notify staff before booking. The accommodation is situated in a beautiful natural environment, with indigenous flora and a garden that allows for the picking of your own herbs. Apollo Bay Eco YHA is the perfect hostel for you to explore this diverse region that plays host to the rugged Victorian coastline and a lush green rainforest.

Find out more here.

6. Diamond Waters Treehouse Retreat

 Now you’ve never seen a treehouse like this before. Set high among the trees, the award-winning Diamond Waters Treehouse Retreat provides for accessibility and luxury all in one. You can explore the natural wonders of the New South Wales Coast, or maybe just pamper yourself with a glass of champagne in front of the fire. The airwalks to the private treehouses provide for an easy, flat wheelchair friendly access. Each treehouse is purposely designed with wheelchairs in mind.  

Find out more here.

Experience

7. Seal Bay Conservation Park

If you’ve ever considered visiting South Australia, it is obvious that Kangaroo Island is a must. Seal Bay Conservation Park is the heart of Kangaroo Island, and the only place in the world where you can get amongst a breeding colony of endangered Australian sea lions. The wheelchair-accessible boardwalk provides incredible views of the coastline, sea lion colony, dune system, and pristine sandy beach.

Find out more here.

Photo: South Australia Department of Environment

8. Tilligerry Habitat

All levels of access are invited to enjoy the unique experience that is the Tilligerry Habitat Self-Guided Sensory Walk. Visitors are encouraged to use all their senses to experience the native landscape as the wheelchair accessible path allows for look, touch, taste and smell points along the way. With other great facilities like a visitor center and nursery, this is a great way to experience the sandy New South Wales foreshore.

Find out more here.

9. Adventure Bay Charters Shark Diving

Now this one isn’t for the faint hearted. Adventure Bay Charters offers everyone the opportunity to tick one off the bucket list with their cage diving experience. The Aqua Sub is designed for maximum inclusion and comfort while you are able to observe the Great White shark in its natural habitat. So, what are you waiting for?

Find out more here.

10. Moonlit Sanctuary

At the top of the Mornington Peninsula, on your way to Phillip Island is Melbourne’s award winning wildlife park, Moonlit Sanctuary. You are invited to explore 10 hectares of bush-land, feeding kangaroos and wallabies, petting koalas and experiencing encounters with birds, reptiles, dingoes and endangered species. The main attraction however, is the world-famous lantern-lit tours at night. Discover animals you may never see anywhere else! Access is available to all ability levels so why not try something new?

Find out more here.

If you are looking for more information and more fantastic easy access travel ideas, please check out our excellent business partners, The Good Scout Travel Co.