Sustainable Stays

• Kingfisher Bay Resort opened in 1992 and was Australia’s first ecotourism resort. It launched the same year K’gari was World Heritage listed, and has been providing immersive, nature-based experiences ever since.

• Built to strict environmental guidelines, the resort comprises specific architectural landscaping elements: - A distinctive Queensland style with native-timber buildings designed to harmonise with the environment, and not impact upon it. The resort is two storeys, as to not exceed the tree line.

• Kingfisher Bay was the first resort in Australia to employ a Director of Environmental Management to oversee implementation of the resort’s environmental program.

• Claiming Australia’s top Architectural prize, the resort’s structure allows for minimal power requirements. In summer, windows and vents are kept open to generate the induction of cool air from the lower level and expel warmer air through loft vents. In winter, windows and vents are closed to create a glasshouse effect, trapping warm air inside the building. This design feature has been calculated to save 480,000 KW hours of electricity each year.

• Existing vegetation on the site was protected to the greatest extent possible. Many thousands of plants were removed prior to construction and held in an onsite nursery for replanting. A further 150,000 plants were raised from seeds and cuttings from the site, with Queensland Forest Services raising 60,000 seedlings for the project. The nursery continues to provide such plants for landscaping. The success of revegetation in the area can be judged by the abundance of wildflowers, birds and wildlife nesting and feeding in the bush and wetlands around the resort.

Reusable Toiletries
Single-use plastic toiletries are not available at the resort. Each hotel room and villa is fitted with reusable toiletries to offer this guest amenities. Toiletries include shampoo, conditioner, body wash, moisturiser, hand soap and shaving gel.

Dedicated Recycling Team
All waste is collected by our team and taken to our waste management centre for sorting. Recyclables are checked to ensure all items meet processing requirements. Once packaged, items are transported to the mainland for processing.

On-Site Composting
Shredded office papers and kitchen preparation scraps are turned into rich compost in the onsite worm farm and then used to grow herbs for the kitchen. This ultimate recycling process has its own interpretive signage you can discover on our Ranger-Guided Eco Walk.

Reducing Paper Consumption Via Apps and Functionality
Paperless booking systems and the increased adoption of screens and apps within the resort have provided an opportunity to reduce paper consumption. Our What’s On Guide was previously printed on a weekly basis and can now be found readily on hotel televisions and through the Kingfisher Bay Resort app.

• Think about preparing environmental guidelines for your meetings and share with everyone involved in the conference.

• Look at your energy use and find ways to cut, or offset it. If you're travelling, select airlines or transport companies with green policies and lead by example.

• Make sure the venue is a right fit in terms of your delegate numbers, duration, size of venue and the number of rooms required.

• Don't just print collateral - ask delegates to be green and read information on their own laptops or devices. Also avoid unnecessary packaging and plastic - chose natural materials if you have gift bags.

• Select venues that incorporate natural lighting and ventilation.

• Request recycling bins for delegates and work with them to turn off lights and air-conditioning and audio-visual equipment as required.  Ask yourself do you need air-con on during set up and pack down?

• Use water jugs rather than disposable water bottles and think about recycling or reusing name badges.

• Educate your delegates about the environment with interesting speakers! Ask us about arranging some K’gari experts, such as an Eco talk with a Resort Ranger.

• Use recycled paper - or at least use both sides of the paper - then dispose of thoughtfully. Better yet, ask for a dedicated recycling bin in your meeting room.

• Choose activities that minimise environmental impact or one that helps you learn more about it.