Sunshine Coast hinterland accommodation, Queensland

At our Sunshine Coast hinterland accommodation, we offer 7 eco-friendly cottages on Lake Weyba, in the Noosa hinterland on the Sunshine Coast. Lake Weyba is a large, natural salt-water estuary part of the Noosa River. A number of everglade style creeks teaming with birdlife flow into the lake and into the Noosa River. National Park surrounds most of the eastern side of the Lake. Viewed from the air, and the lake, the cottages blend into the environment and as they are specifically designed to touch lightly on the land, they nestle into the surrounding old growth temperate forest.

Our 50 acres of land is home to many bird species, including an outstanding array of water birds such as the rare jabiru, the industrious cormorants, the entertaining pelicans and many more. Soaring overhead are majestic whistling kites, black cockatoos, brahminy kites. osprey, and white breasted sea eagles. The friendly kookaburras, cheeky butcher birds and raucous lorikeets are constant companions. Families of wise tawny frogmouth owls observe quietly in branches above. Shy sugar gliders, waddling echidnas, bandicoots, and brush tail possums can be spotted. On a busy day, up to 30 kangaroos can be found sheltering on the sanctuary.

With conservation and sustainability in mind, the eco friendly cottages and pavilions incorporate a number of passive solar features and resource saving devices with particular focus on water including installation of AAA rating resource saving devices such as water saving showerheads, dual flush toilets and energy efficient light bulbs, use of recycled building materials, solar passive building design including maximising the effect of natural cooling in summer from lake breezes and retention of the dense tree canopy cover. These, together with the education of guests in energy saving practises all assist in minimising negative environmental impacts. Any cleaning products used by the retreat are natural.

We also have effective recycling practises in place such as the installation of an Envirocycle Advanced Secondary Waste Water Treatment Plant to service all existing accommodation by purifying all waste water to a standard suitable for irrigation of areas regenerated with local provenance species enhancing the existing natural vegetation creating a seamless union of natural bush and vegetation regeneration areas thus maintaining the integrity of the property. Each cottage is also provided with recycle bins to encourage minimising of waste by recycling glass, newspaper, aluminium, and plastic.

We also have an Environmental Management Plan designed to eliminate the production of, and export of, nutrients from the site into the lake. Guests are requested to respect the environment by using only bio-degradable washing and cleaning products.

The property owners adopted a policy 30 years ago of regeneration with recent vegetation surveys indicating a diverse range of species within a range of ecosystems present on the property. Native endemic species only were used in the revegetation/landscaping design. A vegetation survey conducted in 2001 identified 194 species representing the highest diversity recorded on a single property. The site is a voluntarily protected flora and fauna reserve.

We have also developed educational material and programs to increase understanding of the natural environment, such as:

Educational material provided in both the accommodation and at reception communicating to the guests an appreciation of the natural environment, and encouraging them to interact with their surroundings.

Guests are provided with the information and opportunity to observe, independently or on guided tours, the birdlife and wildlife of Lake Weyba and it surrounds, to identify local provenance plant species, and plants of significance to indigenous Australians.

Guests are provided with the information, encouragement and means by bike, foot or canoe to allow them to explore the pristine waters of Lake Weyba and to appreciate the natural beauty of it’s environs.

Each cottage or pavilion has a theme based on culture, conservation or the environment. For example one provides the venue to exhibit paintings by local award wining artist, Robyn Fox of the treasured Weyba Wallum, another to create awareness and alert the guests to the often seen phenomenon of the industrious cormorants herding fish along the lake shore, complete with the enterprising pelicans cruising in the background hoping to capitalise on any spoils. Yet another theme creates public awareness and appreciation of the rare and endangered jabiru that inhabit Lake Weyba. Tribute is paid to the early participants in, and history of, the conservation movement in the Noosa area.

As the current owners, we have lived on the Lake Weyba property for over 30 years and are both passionate conservationists, dedicated to preserving this unique property and the natural beauty of the Noosa area and supporting the arts within the local community. Locally sourced products are used in catering and all staff are from the local community.