CAPE HILLSBOROUGH NATURE TOURIST PARK ACHIEVES NATURE TOURISM CERTIFICATION
Congratulations to our newest certified operator, Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park, for achieving Nature Tourism Certification for their Cabins and Camping Sites.
The Nature Tourist Park is a haven nestled in the forest and surrounded by the beautiful Cape Hillsborough National Park, located less than an hour from the north Queensland hub of Mackay. This special space brings a combination of coast and forest that produce almost magical landscapes.
The cabins and camping sites are designed to give travellers the feeling of being immersed in nature while still having necessary amenities available to them. Here guests and visitors are encouraged to unplug, unwind and discover the natural beauty of the area.
If you look up you may catch some of the rarest of Australian sights such as whales and sea turtles passing close to shore as they migrate. Here one can also enjoy the unique natural phenomenon of wallabies and kangaroos feeding on the beach at sunrise every day.
Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park is the ultimate destination to unwind and reconnect with nature. Nestled in the Cape Hillsborough National Park, guests can explore the unique geology, beaches, volcanic landscape, and variety of forest types – from mangroves, to eucalypt groves, to rainforest. One can also walk across to wedge island to experience coral filled rock pools, and observe the incredible array of wildlife in their natural habitat. Cape Hillsborough is the starting point, and therefore the oldest eruption site, of the Cosgrove Volcanic Chain which stretches from Cape Hillsborough to Cosgrove in Victoria, this is recognised as the world’s longest continental volcanic chain.
It is not all just about the fun. Right on Mackay's doorstep, there is a focus on educating locals and tourists alike on the unique environmental and cultural heritage of the Cape Hillsborough and Hibiscus Coast area. The site has been used for generations and holds strong cultural value. Before European settlement, the Yuibera people lived in this area and used its natural resources. Signs of fishing, cooking and artefacts such as axes can be found around the park even today.
More than 500 species of plants have been identified at Cape Hillsborough, a remarkable number for an area of just over 1000 ha. Approximately 140 birds, 22 mammals, 25 reptiles and eight amphibians have been identified in the park. The park is a significant refuge for these species as other habitats in the area have been cleared.
Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park prides itself on looking after the beautiful environment surrounding them, and has implemented measures such as:
- Planting native plants endemic to the area
- Collecting rainwater and stormwater via guttering (from buildings) and concrete spoon drains (at ground level) and diverting this to collection tanks
- Testing water from effluent plant regularly to ensure correct pH so as not to adversely affect soil balance
- Mulch-mowing grass and using drip feed irrigation to carefully control flow rates to minimise runoff
- Consistently reinforcing the importance of protecting the wildlife and educating guests on what they should and not should do when interacting with wildlife
- Having a high standard of information/ interpretation for guests and other visitors regarding environmental practices, wildlife interaction and minimising your footprint while on holiday
- Building an enclosure for injured macropods and hosting wildlife education programs during busy times
- Choosing suppliers are in part for their commitment to environmental sustainability, and preferring those who use minimal packaging
Congratulations once again to Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park for achieving Nature Tourism Certification and welcome to the Ecotourism Australia family!
For more information visit their website or check out their Facebook page.
[Pictures sourced from the Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park website]