Fraser Coast holiday home in Queensland, Australia
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
At Eco Queenslander, we pay attention to ways, big and small, in which we can be responsible citizens for the planet. These are the main features that assist Eco Queenslander being a sustainable home:
1. Solar electricity system (1.5kW PV system) that exports power to the grid
2. Roof insulation
3. Two 5,500 l rainwater tanks using gravity feed to avoid the use of an electric or mechanical pump; one is connected to the washing machine; the other one is used for watering the garden
4. Renovations carried out with an eye to environmental friendliness reusing as many old materials as possible; namely, the old claw bath and the timber for the palings under the house
5. Planting of many trees and shrubs in the garden
6. Four and a half-star energy rated fridge and three and a half-star energy rated washing machine
7. No clothes drier; linen sun dried on a clothes line
8. Energy efficient lighting with compact fluorescent lights (CFLs)
9. Dual-flush toilet
10. Three-star shower rose
11. Use of green washing and cleaning detergents and air freshener
12. Use of toilet paper made from used office paper 100% biodegradable
13. Insect screens installed on all doors
14. Fans in bedrooms & lounge room as an alternative to air-conditioners in summer
15. Blankets and doonas as an alternative to heating in winter
16. Recycling and composting
17. Using garden debris (leaves, etc.) as mulch
18. Promotional brochures and invoices printed on recycled paper
19. Information sheets and magazines on green living made available to our guests
20. Sponsor and member of various environmental organisations
21. Open day for Sustainable House Day every year (September)
22. Conducting Go Green(er!) workshops at Eco Queenslander to raise awareness on environmental issues
23. Week-end and holiday packages offered via Eco-Queenslander are in association with other green businesses
24. Bicycles available free of charge to encourage our guests to leave their car at home whilst visiting the town
25. Encouraging guests to be conscious of the environment and do what they can here and at home
The excellent environmental performances of Eco Queenslander were acknowledged through three awards (as of September 2011), two at regional level and one at state level:
1. 2011 Fraser Coast Mayoral Environment Awards, Winner, Sustainability Award
2. 2011 ClimateSmart Sustainability Awards, Finalist, Minister’s Award for ClimateSmart Leadership
3. 2010 Fraser Coast South Burnett Tourism Awards for Excellence, Finalist, Environmental Tourism
Eco Queenslander participated in a study undertaken by the United Nation World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) in August 2010 on Best Practice Ecotourism and was selected to be included in a Compendium of Best Practices and Guidelines for Ecotourism in the Asia Pacific Region.
Community
Eco Queenslander provides a platform to demonstrate to guests, coming from all around the world, that we can be gentler on the environment every day without compromising our comfort. Some guests say that they want to do the same at home!
The owner of Eco Queenslander is also an active participant in the tourism industry; and the Eco Queenslander Sustainable Holiday Home Project encourages other tourism businesses to go green.
Eco Queenslander offers five packages in association with other green businesses based on the Fraser Coast:
1. Maryborough Heritage 3 days/2 nights Package
2. Fraser Island 3 days/2 nights Package
3. Great Barrier Reef 3 days/2 nights Package
4. Whale watching 3 days/2 nights Package
5. Best of the Fraser Coast 5 days/4 nights Package Maryborough
Eco Queenslander also works in partnership with several local environmental groups and does some volunteer work for them.
Eco Queenslander rates are excellent value for money with the whole house for two guests at $120/night and $160/night for a family of four. This is part of our sustainability policy as to encourage as many people as possible to experience living in a sustainable dwelling.
Finally, when guests stay at Eco Queenslander, they buy food, shop, dine out in restaurants, go to coffee shops, visit a museum, attend a performance or a concert at the theatre, etc. all to the profit of the local community.
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