Eco Tourism In Australia - Paradise on Earth!

17th January 2009

At O'Reilly's Rainforest Guesthouse in Lamington National Park, the first event of the day - the early morning bird walk - reveals why the mountain resort is one of Australia's most successful ecotourism centres. Guests who make the effort to rise at 6:30am to join the bird walk are generally not birdwatchers.

Over 100 species of birds live in the rainforest near the Guesthouse so, before long, the guests are spotting them easily in the trees - with some help from the guide.

They'll usually see the black-and-gold Regent Bower Bird, crimson rosellas, the green catbird, the jet-black currawong and a flock of brush turkeys.

For each species, the guide has a tale to tell. It could be listening for the distinctive call of the catbird, describing why the satin bower bird decorates his bower in blue, or explaining that 'rosella' is not an Aboriginal word but an English derivative of 'Rose Hill-er' after Rose Hill near Sydney.

As the walk progresses, the guests become more and more interested and start peering into the rainforest, trying to match each bird call to its elusive owner. If they spot one, it's a personal achievement. They come back for breakfast excited about the walk, more aware of the bird life, and in closer touch with the forest.

This combination of entertainment and education was the key ingredient of a successful ecotourism operation. Since O’Reilly’s opened their doors in Easter 1926 the guided activities - now called the Discovery Program) have been a real highlight for guests. Tours and destinations change daily but as sure as the sun rises each morning, there’s a full program of interpretive rainforest walks, guided 4WD bus excursions, adventure activities and evening tours scheduled every single day of the year. All guests are provided with a Discovery Pass upon check in.

O'Reilly's band of experienced nature guides were the backbone of the operation. They are in the dining room at every meal, reminding guests of the day's activities, and encouraging them to join in. The daily schedule always includes at least one four-wheel drive bus tour to a local scenic spot, and full-day and half-day walks on a choice of more than 20 rainforest tracks (including two that are wheelchair-friendly). For the more adventurous there is the Giant Swing and the Leap of Faith, both activities which take in the beauty of the rainforest from a height of 10m.

After the evening meal, there could be a glow worm walk, spotlighting for possums and greater gliders, a bush dance or an audio-visual evening. Daytime tour options include a visit to O'Reilly's Canungra Valley Vineyards, down the range towards Canungra.

For over 60 years, the O'Reilly’s and their staff have been learning about their rainforested plateau. Much of this hard-won information has come from being associated with scientists and other technical experts who visit for special-interest weeks that feature prominently on the Guesthouse calendar.

These events include Bird Week in November, Frog Week in December and Mammal Week in January. There is also the Writers Week in June and Australian Geographic Week in June, a Forest Weekend in November, artists-in-residence in July and bushwalking in August.

The O'Reilly family's conservation measures extend beyond the plateau. An example of this is their active support of National Parks' research into Coxen's fig parrot - Australia's rarest bird. This research has extended the known range of the species from south-east Queensland, south to Seaforth in New South Wales and north to Bundaberg.

Another element of O'Reilly's ecotourism strategy is the attention being given to adopting ecologically sustainable design principles in developing the resort.

The resort now offers a range of guestrooms to cater to all tastes – from the grandeur of the luxurious Canopy Suites, the popular Mountain View Rooms and the simple yet comfortable Garden View.

The water supply, piped down from underground springs in the mountains above the resort, is treated with sand filters and ultra-violet light rather than chlorine, to provide pure, clean, natural spring water straight from the tap. The resort's sewerage system has been upgraded to treat effluent to a tertiary stage so it can recycled through the toilet cisterns in the complex - via a separate plumbing network.

The rainforest boardwalk which is used by over 300,000 pedestrians a year takes guests from the Guesthouse to the famous Tree Top Walkway.

Built by the Green Mountains Natural History Association with support from O'Reilly's and others, the Tree Top Walkway follows a 160-metre circuit through the rainforest canopy, giving visitors a bird's eye perspective on the forest - with minimal impact on the ecology.

O'Reilly's eco-experience appeals to people of all ages from small children on school holidays to older folk who come back year after year.

For more information:
O'Reilly's
Tel +61 7 5544 0644