Cairns holiday apartments, Queensland
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
We are not just a hotel or accommodation provider, we are a partner of people who wish to stay and experience real contact with nature! Enjoy, learn and relax in an environment where you can experience flora, fauna and diverse ecosystems, first hand from your doorstep.
We don’t have customers, we have guests whom we value and share our knowledge of local flora and fauna of the rainforest and Great Barrier Reef. We are not just a profit business. We pay attention to nature and our environment in all senses. We believe we have an obligation back to the planet to reduce impact and greenhouse emissions and a duty of care to our rainforest environment. It is why we were one of the first in Cairns to install solar power hot water and rainwater tank, it is why we replant native species, and donate to local charities such as the Cairns Turtle Rescue Centre. We believe that all our flora and fauna is vital, all creatures large and small are highly important, these form part of our unique eco system and are integral to its health and wellbeing.
We are protective of our natural environment and replant with native species to assist our wetlands and rainforest eco system. We have been working with butterfly expert Mr Paul Wright in order to increase the number of food source plants for the Cairns Birdwing, Ulysses Butterfly and Hercules Moth as well as working with a botanist on identifying our tropical rainforest flora.
Community
Our local Community is extremely important to us we support local charities including Young Animal Protection Society, Turtle Rescue Rehabilitation Centre, Wildlife Rescue. Many charities struggle and we believe that both financial donation and donation of items that can be reused is important. All lost and unwanted property is kept and then if unclaimed is sent to local charities that support local people and wildlife.
We encourage both guests and to visit to learn about the environmental initiatives we have put in place including our solar hot water systems, rainwater tank system and replanting, including our latest initiative with butterfly expert Mr Paul Wright on reintroducing extra food source plants to support and enhance tropical butterfly numbers in particular the Cairns Birdwing and Ulysses Butterfly . When the wetlands that we adjoin are accessible on foot we have a clean-up day removing rubbish that has unfortunately made its way into the wetlands system. We received an award of acknowledgement for our clean-up efforts for this last year.
We also are protective of our flora and fauna, here at villa marine it is why we replant native species, provide nesting hooks for the Sunbirds to weave their unique nests in a safer location, we provide field guides and local maps on birdwatching both here and within walking distance. The unique environment around Villa Marine allows our guests to view many rainforest birds. The Queensland government has acknowledged us for assisting displaced persons from cyclone Yassi when the Tully Cardwell area 2 hours south of Cairns was affected, we believe in assisting others where we can.
Our aboriginal culture is highly important to us, it is a personal interest and passion of mine, some our decorations are unique indigenous artefacts and furnishings, as well as some original 1920s bedheads and furniture which have been restored to their former glory rather than ending up in land fill.
Artefacts and art work including those by local aboriginal artist such as Bernie Singleton are on display especially in our Wildlife apartmen. We encourage our guests to learn about local aboriginal culture and we carry one of the largest aboriginal tour choices in North Queensland. Income earnt by the local aboriginal persons whose tours and art we show case assists them and provides them employment. Whenever possible we attend culturally significant events such as the Laura aboriginal Dance Festival, Aboriginal art fairs and experience aboriginal tours such as those run by Nugal-warra Elder Willie Gordon showing aboriginal rock art sites out from Hopevale.
Our Tourist Information Centre is recognised by some of the world’s leading guide books including Lonely Planet and Rough Guide. We believe strongly in providing the best range of local tours as this spreads tourism income across the community, we also carry a wide range of companies that are eco certified and that display strong environmental principals . We support local car hire companies and have a wide range of local car hire options available at our onsite information centre .We purchase locally to support local business where ever possible and support local and Australian made options. In particular we support by purchasing as much as we can direct and encourage others to purchase direct from local farmers and farmers markets, with this income going directly back to those farming communities. Whether its tropical fruits and produce local coffee and tea, dairy products local cheeses and wine our information office can provide you these links. Finally we invite you to view all of our photos of Villa Marine in our website.
We are proud we have not employed professional photographers; rather these pictures of our apartments and our nature are real photos that our guests have provided. A great holiday is about great experiences and memories; the great environment of Rainforest, here, at Villa Marine gives you a splendid opportunity to capture wonderful memories!
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