Ecotourism

What is Ecotourism?

As defined by Ecotourism Australia, ecotourism is ecologically sustainable tourism with a primary focus on experiencing natural areas that fosters environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation.

Savannah Guide Station accreditation

Undara Experience is a senior enterprise member of Savannah Guides, who actively promote ecologically sustainable tourism principles. Their aim is the protection and conservation of the natural and cultural resources of the Tropical Savannahs of Northern Australia.

The Savannah Guides manage to achieve a fascinating interpretive experience, with a warmth, humour and compassion that brings guests back time and again.

Advanced Ecotourism Accreditation

Today’s travellers expect a high standard of environmental commitment among tourism operators, and so they should. Here at Undara Experience, our commitment to conservation and sustainability has resulted in Undara recieving Advanced Ecotourism Accreditation.

Ecotourism and nature tourism certification are much more than bits of paper or logos.

They provide you, as travellers, with an assurance that an operator is committed to best practice in ecological sustainability, natural area management and the provision of quality ecotourism experiences.

We are proud of our Advanced Certification, which means we have had to meet more stringent criteria than those specificed for the standard Eco Certification Program.

Land for Wildlife accreditation

Significant natural and cultural features of the environment exist across the whole landscape. Joining Land for Wildlife is just one way Undara Experience has helped conserve and manage wildlife on our property and contribute to the conservation of the unique Australian native plants and animals.

Australian Tourism Business Accreditation

The Tourism Industry Council of Australia launched the National Tourism Accreditation Program on 9th May 2002 at Parliament house. The National Tourism Accreditation Program is a nationally constituted Quality Assurance program that facilitates the development of quality tourism product and deliver of quality experiences to visitors and tourists by focusing on health, safety and customer service.

PLANET SAFE PARTNERSHIP

Undara Experience is proud to be a part of the Planet Safe Partnership program. It recognises Tropical North Queensland products and businesses who are achieving excellent results in terms of environmental sustainability. It is deliberately flexible in its assessment criteria because many companies can and are doing lots of great things for the environment in ways that are specific to their business. Likewise individuals can be involved in a way the suits them personally. However, at the end of the day, everyone will be contributing to the effort to protect our planet.

It is important to realise too that many Tropical North Queensland tourism companies have been implementing wonderful environmental initiatives for many years and are continuing to adapt and adopt new technology and processes to ensure even greater sustainability. Let’s give credit where and when it’s due.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland member companies can be involved in a wide variety of activities that warrant recognition and Planet Safe Partnership endorsement.

http://www.cowry.com.au/planetsafe/cool_product_profile.php

Some Eco -Projects – Rainwater at Undara Experience

As an example of Undara’s commitment to ecological sustainability, Undara Experience was successful in securing funding in round 2 of the Federal Governments Community Water Grants scheme. The project enables rain water to be captured and stored and is an addition to a new roof that was built over the Fettlers Iron Pot Bistro & “Undara Central” in 2006 where the construction of an innovative roof has enabled us to collect precious rainwater for re-use.

With increasing visitor numbers to the Undara Volcanic National Park, the Collins family has, for some time, recognized the need to more effectively manage the pressures on the underground aquifer supplying water to the Lava Lodge. This water saving project resulted in the installation of 10 rainwater tanks with a total storage capacity of 228,000 liters. This water is specially filtered for reuse through the various machines like dish & glass washers, ovens, urns & ice machines throughout the food & beverage area. The reuse of this rain water in the existing facilities has significantly eased the pressure on the underground aquifer by an estimated 25%. in 2006 we installed 10 rainwater tanks, following The all-weather roof was designed to create an antique railway station feeling, and was angled to deliberately collect rainwater while drawing the eye towards the natural environment beyond our unique accommodation setting.

The new tanks were installed in November 2007. For more information go to our blog post.

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