GILBERTON OUTBACK RETREAT ACHIEVES NATURE TOURISM CERTIFICATION
Congratulations to Gilberton Outback Retreat on achieving Nature Tourism certification on their accommodation and tours.
A day’s drive from Cairns, the Gilberton Outback Retreat is a step into the historic past of the Australian outback, hosting luxurious eco accommodation built onto a scenic mountainside with panoramic views of the Gilbert River and surrounding outback landscape.
Carbon neutral, solar powered and managing waste responsibly, with dedicated recycling policies, the retreat is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life without losing the comforts of home or compromising on your own dedication to sustainability.
Initiatives to minimize impacts and educate visitors on local sustainability efforts and policy have led to the planned construction of the accommodation. Sourcing sustainable and recycled materials where possible, the construction of the Gilberton Outback Retreat’s accommodation was developed with low impact construction principals.
Featuring an unobstructed view of the Gilbert River and the stunning outback stars untouched by light pollution, this is the perfect place to experience breathtaking views of the Australian outback at all times of the year from the comfort of a luxury eco lodge.
The retreat also encourages visitation during the wet season when the Gilbert river reaches its peak flow for a truly unique experience. Sourcing food and produce from local producers and a sustainable garden on site, the retreat is able to provide fresh Australian produce to its visitors.
Through the development of culturally relevant guided tours in protected areas, the Gilberton Outback Retreat aims to minimize impacts and educate visitors while showcasing the spirit of the outback through genuine and unique experiences.
The Gilberton Outback Retreat’s Guided tours utilize the natural beauty of the outback and the careful use of protected lands to provide direct natural encounters with many of the native animals unique to Australia. With a commitment to the cultures that share the Gilberton area, the Gilberton Outback Retreat is involved in continued initiatives to employ traditional custodians of the land and those with an affinity for country to best allow visitors a genuine understanding of the indigenous significance of the land and sacred sites.
Visitors are also invited to explore the family history of the Martel family who developed the cattle station and still run the operations to this day.
Alongside the development of the cattle station, the land was also a part of the Australian gold rush and features tours based around the exploration of significant gold rush areas and the history of Chinese workers who ventured out to the area in search of riches. This offers visitors a chance to help rediscover the cultural history of Gilberton in the search for lost Chinese cemeteries using historical mapping and guided tours.
We are exited to welcome Gilberton Outback Retreat to Ecotourism Australia and congratulate them on achieving Nature Tourism Certification.
For more information about Gilberton Outback Retreat visit their website or Facebook page or check out our Green Travel Guide for more ECO Certified travel inspiration.
[Photos from Gilberton Outback Retreat website and Facebook page]