Glasshouse Mountains Ecolodge

How this lodge promotes good stewardship of the environment:

Our waste management is based on: reduction of our consumption; re-use when ever we can and recycling our waste.
The Ecolodge incorporates the reuse of various old buildings, which would otherwise have been destroyed. A 124 year old wooden church was restored and converted for use as accommodation and a workshop area, and four historic train carriages have been renovated into a dining kitchen, library/lounge and two accommodations. This saved the need for new building materials and also adds to the uniqueness of the Ecolodge.
The Ecolodge has a comprehensive waste-recycling programme that includes:
? Composting of our vegetable matter for later use in the gardens.
? Composting of our tree matter and lawn clippings for use around the orchard.
? Recycling of fallen timbers for use as furniture.
? Leaving dropped branches for natural decomposition in the bush garden.
? Recycling of all glass, metal, plastic and paper into the Sunshine Coast Council waste management system.
Use of Enviro- Friendly Products
? We use environmentally friendly eco-sensitive, non-chemical cleaning agents such as the Enjo cleaning system, which largely avoids the need for chemical cleaning agents.
? Where it is necessary to use chemicals we use only biodegradable products.
? We supply only recycled/unbleached tissues and toilet paper products.

Water Supply and Conservation
? Water saving devices are installed in all bathrooms and the rail carriage self-catering kitchen area.
? The Ecolodge sources all its water needs on site by harvesting rainwater from 400 square metres of roof area and storing it in two 45,000 litre underground storage tanks. These are supplemented by onsite bore water when required.
? The Ecolodge recycles all grey water via its own on site commercial grade waste sewerage treatment system. All recycled grey water is reused on the Ecolodge’s coffee orchard.
? We regularly check and maintain taps and toilets to ensure there are no leakages.
? We minimize the need to use water on the gardens by planting trees native to the area and mulching regularly.
Electricity and Solar Power
? The majority of rooms make use of ‘natural ventilation’ via their orientation to the North East and thoughtful use of windows positioning to capture the breezes using cross flow ventilation. Air conditioning is a second option. It has been offered to guests for a better comfort. We advise to keep the temperature at a minimum of 18°C in summer and a maximum of 25°C in winter. Our guests are provided with the choice to use or not air conditioning, everyone is responsible for their own carbon footprint.
? We use low wattage energy lighting throughout the property including a series of movement sensitive lights located in public areas. This eliminates the need to have car parks and walkways permanently lit at night
? An on demand gas hot water system is provided for self catering in the dining carriage
? We minimise the use of electrical appliances.
? The Ecolodge uses two 450 litre solar hot water systems for guest bathrooms.
? .We offer guests the option of re-using bed linen and bath towels rather than automatically changing these on a daily basis so we can save water.

What To Do:

Walks. Mountain Climbs. Close to Australia Zoo. Half an hour from Sunshine Coast beaches.

What They Have:

Air Conditioning. Train Carriage Kitchen.(open 24 hours) Pre-cooked meals available. Shop with local products.

Getting There:

Airport Information:

Sunshine Coast Airport 45mins
Brisbane Airport 1 hour.

Transportation Information:

Bus, train (guests can be picked up from Glasshouse Mountains Station.)