Last updated: 8th May 2019
Looking for your next retreat that seamlessly combines your environmental awareness and desire to relax and restore? We’ve got you covered with our top eight picks of eco-friendly resorts and lodges in Australia.
1. Daintree Eco Lodge, Daintree Rainforest
Immerse yourself in the sacredness of Wawu-karrba, the ‘Kuku Yalanji’ people’s special place for the healing of the spirit at the Daintree Eco Lodge. Stay in one of the luxurious Bayans above the forest floor while immersing yourself with the pure, clean scent of the most ancient rainforest on Earth.
Hear the deep echo of the birds from the canopy and relax amongst the untouched wilderness orindulge in eco-luxe spa treatments and fresh seasonal cuisine. Being one of the top eco resorts in Queensland, Daintree Eco Lodge prides itself on its passive design features which optimise the sun and other natural elements to cool, heat, light and ventilate guest facilities without the use of energy.
The lodge features a biocycle waste treatment facility, on-site water supply and rainwater catchment, sustainable landscaping, waste recycling, local sustainable ingredients and company participation in local conservation projects.
2. Ramada Eco Beach Resort, Broome
A multi-award-winning eco resort set amongst the pristine and untouched Kimberley region, Ramada Eco Resort provides guests with an unforgettable and unique wilderness experience. Take a guided cultural bushwalk or embrace a traditional warm welcoming by the landowners.
It’s almost impossible not to appreciate the connection the Aboriginal custodians have with this land. Ramada’s stunning features include 25 Eco Villas interlinked by over 1km of elevated wooden boardwalks and 30 luxurious Safari style Eco Tents. For larger groups, Ramada also offers Beach Houses with stunning ocean-front views of the Indian Ocean.
3. Nightfall Wilderness Camp, Lamington, Scenic Rim Area
Perched beside the crystal-clear tumbling headwaters of Christmas Creek and Queensland's ancient Lamington National Park rainforests, luxurious and intimate tents evoke the spirit of simplicity, rest and rejuvenation. With a limit of only six travellers at a time, the tranquillity of Nightfall Wilderness Camp nourishes the mind, body and spirit.
Be one with the land with an unforgettable under-the-stars experience and tree-change lifestyle. The hand-built glamping safari tents are immersed in a World Heritage setting. Accompany the team and explore food in the wild herb and vegetable gardens; sample locavore-inspired organic cuisine; and learn about nightfall’s environmental practices including on-site waste-water treatment and waste minimisation through reduction, reusing, recycling and recovery with composting.
4. Paperbark Camp, Jervis Bay, South Coast
Situated just over two hours drive south of Sydney in the beautiful Jervis Bay, which is where you'll find Paperbark Camp – a nature lover's paradise. With 12 Canvas Safari-style tents built above ground, it’s hard not to embrace the wonder of the beautiful sea-breezed coastline along with the scent of eucalyptus and paperbark trees.
All tents have wrap-around decking with outdoor furniture, polished hardwood floors, full insect screening, solar-powered lighting, as well as luxurious linen. Enjoy bird watching and kangaroo spotting from your steaming shower in your open-air private en-suite or indulge in eco-dining at the famous Gunyah Restaurant – cuisine combining only high-quality local produce and dishes inspired by the natural environment.
With its sustainable philosophy and Advanced Eco Accreditation, Paperbark encourages you to switch off from technology during your stay. As such, you will not find air-conditioning or heating, TV, a bar fridge or power points for your iPhone in the tents. But trust us, you should use the opportunity to connect with nature and you'll be left feeling restored, relaxed and clear-minded.
5. Thala Beach Nature Reserve, Port Douglas
Located on a private headland between Cairns and Port Douglas, this 145 acre property has achieved the highest level of Advanced Eco Certification by Eco Tourism Australia.
Thala Beach Nature Reserve contains some unique habitats ranging from rainforest, open woodlands, mangrove forest, grasslands, regrowth areas, a rich coastal marine environment and even a coconut plantation – all surrounded by World Heritage forest with an abundance of wildlife.
With views of the Coral Sea and top fringes of the forest canopy, the bungalow-style accommodation of Thala offers privacy and comfort along with complementary experiences including nature tours, coconut tours and star-gazing.
6. Kingfisher Bay Resort, Fraser Island
Kingfisher Bay Resort on World Heritage-listed Fraser Island has one of the highest ecotourism standards in Australia including the acclaimed Steve Irwin award for Eco-Tourism. This stunning resort, complete with mirror lakes and waterholes, blends seamlessly with the island's sensitive ecological systems and minimises their footprint through landscape planning, architectural standards and energy and waste minimisation.
The resort buildings blend in with its natural bush surrounds and are built below the tree-line to increase the feeling of environmental harmony and peace amongst the wilderness.
7. Karijini Eco Retreat, Karijini National Park
Situated in Western Australia’s second-largest national park, the Aboriginal-owned Karijini Eco Retreat operates in collaboration with the Department of Parks and Wildlife and the Traditional Owners to contribute to the management of the environmental, geographical and cultural values of the land.
Enjoy an adventurous day in the outback knowing you can come home to a deluxe eco-tent, dorm-style cabins, or your BYO accommodation campsite. Take in the earthly surrounds of the park and feel good knowing that a portion of your tariff goes towards the management and conservation of the park.
8. Bombah Point Eco Cottages, Myall Lakes National Park
Just 2.5 hours north of Sydney, Bombah Point Eco Cottages is the perfect city-escape – demonstrating how environmentally-conscious practices can be followed without compromising luxury. The area spreads across more than 40 kilometres of spectacular unbroken beaches.
Enjoy your stay in a gorgeous timber and glass cottage amongst the fireplace, indulge in a rainwater spa bath or lay back in a hammock on the wrap-around deck. Guests of Bombah are also invited to collect a fresh egg from the chooks daily and pick herbs and seasonal fruit/veggies from the Bombah gardens. The cottage provides recycling bins and compost most food waste on-site with a worm farm, minimising all waste where possible.
To adventuring, eco style...
