From glamping tents that use solar power to farm stays that don’t cost the Earth, it’s time to book an eco stay in WA.
Quobba Station
Recycling initiatives, composting, energy-efficient lighting, rainwater tanks and solar panels are just a few of the initiatives that help you tread lightly on the Earth during a stay at Quobba Station , on the southern tip of Ningaloo Marine Park. Whales and whale sharks migrate past the remote eco camp and are easily spotted from the beach or clifftop, where you’ll find five hard-deck safari tents, two of which are luxury retreats. Surfers will also love the property’s low-fi beach shacks, which have uninterrupted views of breaking waves.
Stay at Quobba Station on the southern tip of Ningaloo Marine Park. (Image: Imogen Caldwell)
Barn Hives
You can test-drive that tree change you’ve been dreaming of at Barn Hives, where you’ll see the farm-to-fork, grape-to-glass philosophy in action. The luxury pods are part of the Barnyard 1978 conservation tourism concept, which includes a fully equipped restaurant, cellar door and honey store. While the Barn Hives tread lightly on the Earth, they are also deeply connected to their surrounds, situated moments from Smiths Beach in the midst of the Margaret River region. The two-storey pods include a fully equipped kitchen, dining area, cosy lounge and outdoor sun deck with barbecue.
You can test-drive that tree change you’ve been dreaming of at Barn Hives. (Image: Bianca Kate Photography)
Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef
All 16 luxury safari tents at Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef safari camp are perched above the sand to prevent erosion, so you can kick back in good conscience from your hammock overlooking the fringing reef system. There is no Internet at Sal Salis, which encourages guests to connect with nature and each other in the communal lantern-lit lodge to swap stories about their day. Knowing that almost 100 per cent of the camp’s electricity and power is generated by solar makes a stay here even sweeter.
There is no Internet at Sal Salis, which encourages guests to connect with nature and each other.
Petit Eco Cabins
Petit Eco Cabin is positioned in a pretty pocket of Windows Estate, a certified organic vineyard in Yallingup. The 32-square-metre cabin was built from hand-milled jarrah and fitted out with Australian-made fixtures and furnishings, from bespoke glass wall lights by Soktas to custom-made furniture by Timber Grooves and tapware by Consolidated Brass. Enjoy a glass of Windows Estate Syrah in the outdoor antique French bath overlooking the estate’s expansive dam and see the night sky in a new light via the wonderful waterfall window, which cascades over the king-sized bed.
Petit Eco Cabin is positioned in a pretty pocket of Windows Estate, a certified organic vineyard in Yallingup. (Image: Rachel Claire)
Eco Beach Resort
This rustic retreat was designed to leave the smallest footprint possible on the surrounding landscape in Yardoogarra Country, an hour’s drive south of Broome. All up, there are 25 eco villas and 30 safari-style tents at the oceanfront eco resort , which are linked by elevated boardwalks on the pristine Kimberley coastline. The solar-powered resort has bamboo floorboards, composite eco decking, and an energy monitoring system that enables guests to check their own energy consumption. Each villa and tent faces the Indian Ocean and nothing is more luxurious (or environment-focused) than going to sleep to the soundtrack of soothing ocean sounds.
This rustic retreat was designed to leave the smallest footprint possible on the surrounding landscape.
Carla Grossetti avoided accruing a HECS debt by accepting a cadetship with News Corp. at the age of 18. After completing her cadetship at The Cairns Post Carla moved south to accept a position at The Canberra Times before heading off on a jaunt around Canada, the US, Mexico and Central America. During her career as a journalist, Carla has successfully combined her two loves – of writing and travel – and has more than two decades experience switch-footing between digital and print media. Carla’s CV also includes stints at delicious., The Sydney Morning Herald, and The Australian, where she specialises in food and travel. Carla also based herself in the UK where she worked at Conde Nast Traveller, and The Sunday Times’ Travel section before accepting a fulltime role as part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK. Carla and has been freelancing for Australian Traveller for more than a decade, where she works as both a writer and a sub editor.
The East Kimberley should be on every bucket list, and here’s why.
Livistona palms soar out of chasms the colour of Valencia oranges. Shady waterholes beckon travellers daring to venture off the bitumen. From the air, fruit farms give way to vast plains that meet rolling hills and fascinating geological formations centuries in the making. The East Kimberley is one of Australia’s most treasured wilderness areas, but don’t be fooled by its rust-coloured roads. This north-eastern corner of Western Australia is home to some of Australia’s most iconic stays by Discovery Resorts that should be on everyone’s bucket list.
Dine in the heart of nature.
Your guide to Lake Argyle
The backstory
With rolling hills that glow amber at sunrise and glassy water that reflects the Kimberley’s bright blue sky, a visit to Lake Argyle is nothing short of awe-inspiring. As Australia’s second-largest man-made freshwater lake, travellers flock here to soak in the views from boats, helicopters and Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle.
The latter is a lakeside oasis, a resort where travellers crossing from Western Australia into the Northern Territory (or vice versa) converge. Fifty minutes’ drive south of Kununurra, the property is perched atop a cliff overlooking the sprawling Lake Argyle.
Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle was originally built in the late 1960s to provide accommodation for builders of the Ord River dam, which formed Lake Argyle. In the decades that followed it had several owners, until a Kununurra local took the reins in 2004 and reinvented the property with luxury villas and its now world-famous infinity pool. The iconic property was added to the Discovery Resorts portfolio in 2021, undergoing a major upgrade that took the resort from a beloved campground to an all-encompassing resort with premium waterfront villas.
Glide across the vast, shimmering waters of Lake Argyle.
The rooms
A lakeside resort like no other, Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle offers something for everyone, from campsites to villas and cabins . The Deluxe Lakeview Cabins have views of the opposing cliff and are surrounded by bush, ensuring plenty of privacy, while both the Deluxe and Standard Cabins are ideal for families, with contemporary furnishings and one, two or four bedrooms. The campsites also come in a variety of sizes.
The facilities
There’s no doubt the biggest drawcard to Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle is the lake, 20 times the size of Sydney Harbour. One of the best ways to experience it is on the Kimberley Durack Sunset Explorer Cruise , during which you’ll see freshwater crocodiles nesting along the banks (it’s home to 30,000 freshies) and even get the chance to swim in their waters. The cruise also takes in Mt Misery, towering above the original and now submerged Argyle Downs Homestead.
If you have young children who need to get to bed early, a great alternative is the three-hour Lunch Explorer Cruise . You’ll tour around the lake’s bays as you learn about the local wildlife before stopping at a remote island for a swim.
Refuel between adventures at the onsite pub-style eatery, The Lake Argyle Cafe. The cafe is the heart of the resort, bringing together friends new and old over a steak, cold beer and live music. Hours vary with the seasons, but rest assured you’ll be able to enjoy a good feed year-round, with a well-stocked general store also open during the day.
Cool off from a day of exploring in the striking infinity pool with some of the best views in the country (you’ll find sweeping views of the lake below). Or enjoy a flight with HeliSpirit, or clear your mind during a yoga class on the lawn.
Take a dip in the infinity pool and soak in breathtaking Lake Argyle views.
Your guide to El Questro
The backstory
One of the most famous stays in Australia is El Questro . A former cattle station, it’s evolved into one of the country’s most recognisable tourism destinations over the past 30 years, and is now embarking on a new chapter to elevate the region’s rich First Nations culture.
The property draws travellers seeking to reconnect with nature and the beauty of this country. Wild in spirit but immaculate in style, El Questro is a 283,000-hectare property like no other; surrounded by dramatic gorges, impressive mountain ranges, thermal springs, secluded waterfalls and even rainforest, it’s the perfect base for adventurous souls.
Float along Zebedee Springs and immerse in nature.
The rooms
Across the sprawling El Questro are three properties catering to the wide variety of travellers who journey this way. The most impressive is the luxurious Homestead , where 10 suites perch at the edge of a burnt-orange cliff, with cantilevered bedrooms over the peaceful Chamberlain River. The adults-only, all-inclusive Homestead is a member of the prestigious Luxury Lodges of Australia collection and offers a backdrop of thick bushland; riverside, you’ll find an immaculate lawn and a shaded pool that lures guests out of their rooms.
At Emma Gorge , travellers will be immersed in the beauty of the Cockburn Ranges, falling asleep to the sounds of wildlife in safari-style tented cabins. This is where you come if you want to completely connect with your environment while retaining a few creature comforts. The Emma Gorge Tented Cabins sleep three or four people and feature private ensuites and ceiling fans.
Families also love The Station , home to simple yet comfortable air-conditioned rooms, as well as a large, leafy campground. Sitting by the Pentecost River, The Station is open from April to October and has a range of accommodation, from unpowered and powered campsites to air-conditioned tents for two people and a Gardenview Family Room for five.
Take a breather with stunning views of nature all around.
The facilities
Located in the heart of the Kimberley, El Questro retains its strong connection with its Traditional Owners, the Ngarinyin people. A highlight of a stay here is the Injiid Marlabu Calls Us experience ; over two hours, guests are immersed in the soul of Country by witnessing ancient healing rituals, listening to generational stories and learning about the land’s ancestral heritage.
Other experiences include bird watching, cruising through Chamberlain Gorge, hiking through Emma Gorge, horse riding, four-wheel-driving and soaking in Zebedee Springs. At the properties, you can also cool off in the pools, and relax in the restaurants or at private dining locations. A bonus of staying at The Homestead is the exclusive service of El Questro’s dedicated reservations team, who will craft a bespoke itinerary tailored to your travel tastes.
