Eco Friendly Holidays in Queensland

These days, preserving our beautiful environment is as important as treating ourselves to a relaxing holiday. Fortunately, you can find some of the best eco-friendly holidays in Queensland, where Australia’s natural spoils are on show, from the glistening Great Barrier Reef to the prehistoric Daintree Rainforest. 

Queensland’s luxurious eco accommodation provides the perfect base for experiencing Mother Nature’s finest creations. Browse four of the best eco holidays below, including the ultimate eco-friendly holiday package.

Eco Friendly Holidays in Queensland

1. Visit The Daintree Ecolodge

The Daintree Ecolodge offers boutique, eco-certified accommodation with easy access to the Daintree River, Daintree Rainforest, Cape Tribulation and Great Barrier Reef. The rainforest lodge is dedicated to reducing its impact on the environment by being a carbon neutral property. It’s also partially powered by solar panels and donates $50 per guest to the Morris Family Foundation Reef Keepers Fund. 

Food is also at the heart of eco-friendly holidays in the Daintree. Daintree Ecolodge offers sustainable dining, utilising seasonal produce sourced from environmentally conscious artisans and their on-site veggie patch (so you know it’s both fresh and delicious). In fact, the lodge is a member of the renowned Daintree Food Trail, which showcases the region’s best produce and artisans.

2. Experience The Great Barrier Reef at Orpheus Island Lodge

Orpheus Island Lodge offers one of the best eco holidays in Queensland. Not only is it its own island National Park with coral reefs and white-sand beaches, but it also maintains high standards of environmental sustainability. To reduce plastic waste, the lodge has removed single-use in-room amenities, introduced washable slippers (made from 100% recycled materials) and now provides stainless-steel water bottles and ceramic Keep Cups. 

$50 per guest stay also goes towards the Morris Family Foundation Reef Keepers Fund, which works to protect and preserve the precious Great Barrier Reef. Eco-conscious guests also have multiple opportunities to join eco-friendly tours and excursions, including a tour of the James Cook University Research Station, the Picnic Bay Beach Clean-Up outing and eco-educational snorkelling and scuba diving.

It’s the perfect day trip from the Daintree Ecolodge and provides ample grassy and sandy space for unwinding with one of our new gourmet picnic hampers. It’s no wonder locals and travellers alike know it as one of the best picnic spots in Queensland. Dive in for a swim after lunch (after waiting 30 minutes, of course) or stroll into the township to browse boutiques and galleries.

3. Tour The Outback At Mt Mulligan Lodge

Surrounded by one of Australia’s most beloved environments, it’s no wonder Mt Mulligan Lodge upholds the highest standards for eco accommodation. The removal of single-use plastics for in-room amenities and the use of water tanks and a minimal water waste program help maintain the principals we’ve come to expect from the best eco-friendly holidays. 

Of course, guests also benefit from the eco-friendly practices at Mt Mulligan Lodge. For instance, dining centres around organic, free range, fair trade and biodynamic products, which are not only better for the environment and animals, but also deliver a new level of gourmet dining. The “nose to tail” dining principals means that nothing is wasted and any organic waste from the kitchen is fed back to the livestock that give Mt Mulligan much of its character. 

Finally, Mt Mulligan Lodge is a supporter of Farmers for Climate Action, which voices farmers’ concerns about climate change. It also supports the Morris Family Foundation Reef Keepers Fund through donations and the Australian Marine Conservation Society, which promotes sustainable consumption of Australian seafood.

4. Reef, Rainforest + Outback Package

Experience one of the best eco-friendly holiday packages in Australia. The Reef, Rainforest + Outback Package provides eight nights at the eco-certified accommodation of Mt Mulligan Lodge, Orpheus Island Lodge and Daintree Ecolodge. 

You can embark on an enriching holiday exploring the precious ecosystems of the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest and Australian outback. Fine dining, pampering day spas and enthralling adventures through the air, sea and forest await. Environmentally-conscious travellers will also appreciate the hands-on learning available at each lodge, whether through research station tours, beach clean-ups or nature walks.

Rainforest boardwalks lead to secluded tropical beaches overlooking islands and the offshore reefs. The blues of the ocean, whites and yellows of the sand and varying shades of greens and browns in the forest create a kaleidoscope of colours not seen anywhere else in the world. This is truly our pick of the best rainforest picnic spots.

The Best Eco Holidays for Adventure, Nature & Luxury

If you’re interested in eco-friendly holidays, you have a choice of three incredible destinations and eco-certified lodges. These cover the vast Australian outback, world-famous Great Barrier Reef and the otherworldly landscapes of the Daintree Rainforest. Combine environmental sustainability with luxury and adventure when you book your next holiday at the Daintree Ecolodge.