Blue Mountains eco lodge, Australia

Our eco lodge holds Advanced Ecotourism Accreditation under the National Ecotourism Accreditation Program and was one of the first working examples of large scale sustainable tourism to exist in Australia. It was designed to coexist with and take advantage of the natural environment and has won several major awards both for the innovative design and its successful operation as a tourism business.

The lodge was built on an existing degraded site within the block. All remaining trees and native vegetation were retained and since completion of the lodge there has been significant regeneration. All buildings are constructed on the 'Pole platform' or 'Pole frame' principle using treated, plantation pine product as the structural base.

All external cladding is weatherproof, grooved plywood sheeting and all internal cladding is a rustic finish pine plywood, sourced from local plantation suppliers. All structures are a lightweight super insulated timber construction to give quick thermal response for their intermittent use.

Verandahs and raised plank walkways are used for increased observation and minimal impact on flora and fauna. The buildings are oriented for solar benefits and are well insulated using fibreglass and reflective foil to prevent condensation in the cold climate as well as the use of strawboard ceilings in 45 mm sheets which provide excellent thermal properties and acoustic insulation. Corrugated colour bonded roofing was used and roof trusses were made on site to utilise small timber sections.and galvanised connectors. Boardwalks house all essential services beneath them to minimise soil disturbance and all original building materials were carried in using the boardwalks. All waste is recycled on site.

We are an accredited education retreat for primary, high school and tertiary level students and we support the fundraising activities of local schools.