Western Australia self drive holiday, Perth to Broome
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
At Monkey Mia the dolphin feeding is carefully supervised by staff – people are told verbally to stay back from the dolphins and there are also signs up around the property. All the National Parks have plenty of signs and posters up to explain to people how precious the wildlife is and that it should be left untouched and undisturbed. All the local operators carry the same message in their written literature, and during any tours etc.
Karijini Eco Retreat is a new and unique, environmentally friendly and ecologically sound accommodation development located in the depths of the breathtaking Karijini National Park just 35km from the Karijini Visitors Centre in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Guests are treated to a range of accommodation options from traditional campsites with quality share facilities including flushing toilets, hot showers and BBQ Bush Kitchen facilities, to the option of luxury furnished and spacious Eco Tents boasting top of the range king or twin beds with en-suite. Karijini Eco Retreat offers luxury accommodation and an authentic outback experience at an affordable price whilst operating in perfect harmony with the environment. The goal is to act as a leader in sustainable tourism principles by meeting the highest possible standards of environmental responsibility.
We provide support for the dolphin, dugong and tiger shark research projects. We also record and report significant events when there isn't a research team here. Our mammal sightings are logged and provided to the WA Department of Conservation. The National Ecotourism Accreditation Program is recognised and promoted internationally by the Australian Tourist Commission as a benchmark of first class environmental standards for a tourism operation.
The Advanced Ecotourism Accredited logo means the operator has achieved the essential requirements to demonstrate outstanding performance in striving to meet these consumer needs". From Australian Tourist Commission's 'The Australian Tourism Source'. There are 3 levels of Accreditation. All of our cruises hold the highest level. Ours were the first marine wildlife sailing cruises in Australia to achieve Advanced Ecotourism Accreditation
Community
We have a unique partnership with Wunan, a community-based initiative that represents the Indigenous people of the East Kimberley in North Western Australia. APT and Wunan provide employment and training opportunities for Aboriginal people. The purpose of Wunan is to establish and sustain innovative and progressive programs for improving socio-economic outcomes for Indigenous people in the East Kimberley.
Karijini Eco Retreat Indigenous info: Owned by the Gumala Aboriginal Corporation (GAC), developed by Eco Constructions and managed by The Eco Company (Ecomodation), the Karijini Eco Retreat was borne out of the strategic vision of GAC to develop a portfolio of substantial and diversified commercial assets. The development was an essential part of the long term commitment of Gumala to bring socio-economic benefits to the region whilst acknowledging the wider tourism industry benefits.
The grand opening of the much anticipated Karijini Eco Retreat in April 2007 heralded a new era for the iconic Karijini National Park and is expected to help shape and enhance the future of tourism in the Pilbara region. This benchmark development is the first of its kind in the Park and is the successful end result of an exhaustive series of strategic planning, thorough background research and co-operation with the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) and other public agencies.
Karijini Eco Retreat was thrilled to have recently been granted Advanced Eco Tourism Status as a result of a large number of environmentally sound initiatives implemented at the Retreat. The Eco Certification Program is Ecotourism Australia's flagship program. Ecotourism and nature tourism accreditation provide industry, protected area managers, local communities and travellers with an assurance that an accredited product is backed by a commitment to best practice ecological sustainability, natural area management and the provision of quality ecotourism experiences. Developed in Australia, the Eco Certification Program is now being exported to the rest of the world as the International Ecotourism Standard.
Monkey Mia Wildsights (Wildlife Cruise) In 1990 we began specialising in wildlife cruises purely under sail (and today we are still the only operator in Australia to do that). In 1992 the Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort undertook an exhaustive, 6 month, nationwide search for the highest quality ecotourism operator for their guests. Our business, then based in Brisbane was their choice. Co-incidentally the dolphin and dugong scientists who were our advisers in Brisbane had also done research work at Monkey Mia so we had a readymade Monkey Mia connection. Having learnt the commitment it takes to professionally service the tourism industry in Queensland's Gold Coast and Whitsunday Islands, when we began operating at Monkey Mia we quickly established a record of quality, dependability and reliability not seen before in Shark Bay.
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