Combining enchanting natural settings with environmentally friendly accommodation, ecolodges are the ideal way to immerse yourself in the great outdoors while leaving minimal footprints. With an enviable climate and expansive, wild landscapes, Australia has embraced the concept of holidaying with a conscience, and ecolodges are mushrooming across the nation. From bunking down in the outdoor lover’s paradise of Tasmania, to the tropical rainforests of Queensland, here are five of the best ecolodges Australia has to offer.
1. Jabiru Safari Lodge, Mareeba, Tropical North Queensland
Nestled on the northern edge of the Atherton Tablelands in Far North Queensland, Jabiru Safari Lodge encompasses 2000 hectares of open savanna woodland, grassland, and freshwater wetlands just a short drive west of Cairns. Explore this magnificent landscape on foot along numerous walking trails or by canoe through waterways rich in birdlife. In the evenings, relax into your luxury tent, inspired by the safari camps of Africa, from where you can watch Australia’s marsupials graze. Jabiru encapsulates the spirit of the Australian Outback, whilst retaining environmental harmony.
2. Bungle Bungle Wilderness Lodge, Kimberley, North West Australia
Located in the heart of Purnululu National Park in Western Australia’s stunning Kimberley region, Bungle Bungle Wilderness Lodge is set deep in the Australian bush, with tented cabins spread along the banks of the dry Bellburn Creek. Explore the magnificent domes of the Bungle Bungle Range, Cathedral Gorge and Echidna Chasm by day, then dine under the stars in the lodge’s open-air restaurant before retiring to the campfire. Bungle Bungle is a place to reconnect with the earth around you and take in the breathtaking landscapes it offers.
3. Banubanu Wilderness Retreat, Northern Territory
In the remote wilds of North East Arnhem Land on the tip of Bremer Island lies Banubanu Wilderness Retreat. On the lands of the Yolngu people, this is a place few will have the privilege to know, where a pristine coastline, edged in ivory sands, meets translucent waters. Constructed from locally sourced materials, Banubanu offers luxury cabins and safari tents nestled into the sand dunes. With no mobile or internet coverage, the retreat is a place to disconnect from the rat race and discover your sense of adventure, the cultural traditions of the Yolngu people, and an alternative way of life.
4. Paperbark Camp, Jervis Bay, New South Wales
A short drive south from Sydney, Paperbark is the ultimate in ‘eco-glamping’. A luxury tented camp, situated within peaceful bushland and on the edge of Jervis Bay’s spectacular white sands, Paperbark combines fine wine, gourmet dining, and the magnificence of Mother Earth. Architecturally designed in harmony with its landscape, the camp strives for ecological sustainability in all facets of its operation and encourages its guests to attain a better understanding of their environment through immersion in the surroundings they offer.
5. Tarkine Wilderness Lodge, Tasmania
Situated on Tasmania’s wild North West Coast, adjacent to the ancient Tarkine Rainforest, is the Tarkine Wilderness Lodge. This multi-award winning accommodation is a unique and exclusive eco-lodge experience where superb Tasmanian wines and produce are served amidst a landscape of astounding beauty. Constructed from fine Tasmanian timbers, the lodge promotes environmental conservation through guided walks and wildlife encounters, assisting in the protection of this magnificent stretch of wilderness.