Queensland

Queensland goes green with eco resorts

With all the hassles of daily life, a digital detox seems like a great idea for your next holiday. We're here to help with our selection of the best eco resorts in Queensland.

Planning your next holiday? Isn’t about time you said goodbye to flat-screen TVs and WiFi connections, and hello to a piece of the outdoors? When it comes to green accommodation, Queensland’s got it covered.

From hideaway treehouses to full-blown safari camping in the bush, we’ve bundled some of the state’s best eco resorts certain to leave you feeling green – in the right sense! So rather than indulging in a flashy hotel this time around, why not pay homage to Ms. Mother Earth in one of these super green eco hotels?

Queensland eco resort located in the world's oldest rainforest

Sometimes the day-to-day grind can get a little much. If you’re looking for some pure escapism, you can’t surpass the tranquillity offered at the Daintree Eco Lodge. Situated in the world’s oldest rainforest, this is THE place to release your mind, body, and spirit in a sanctuary of healing.

Nestled amidst the draping ferns of the Jinbirra Valley, accommodation comes in the form of ‘Banyans’ which are free-standing tree houses inspired by the surrounding rainforest. Think large glass windows, opening sliding doors, and wide balconies appointed with dreamy bathtubs.

Keeping green in full sight, the lodge uses energy efficient lighting fixtures and has its own on-site water supply and rainwater catchment. If you’re ready to quite literally dip yourself into nature, Daintree Eco Lodge is positioned directly behind a stream that flows into a serene swimming hole and waterfall. Looks like it’s time to pack those togs!

Daintree Ecolodge

Top rated
Daintree
9.1 Excellent (307 reviews)

Relax at this eco resorts award-winning eco resort

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The Mossman Gorge River is one of the crowning jewels of the Daintree. Fortunately, the upscale Silky Oaks Lodge is positioned right on its scenic banks. Although located just a 15-minute drive from Port Douglas, Silky Oaks feels like another world.

The refined tree-houses are dotted throughout a green canopy, and feature wooden-flooring, rainfall showers, and whirlpool tubs. During the afternoon, recline on the balcony in your very own hammock and appreciate some birdsong!

When it comes to doing things well, Silky Oaks Lodge is at the helm of the scene. The Treehouse is one of Queensland’s leading restaurants, serving local produce and tasty Australian wine. If you’re looking to unwind a little, head to the lodge’s onsite spa, Healing Waters. A proud winner of the World’s Luxury Spa Awards, this haven of relaxation adopts hands-on therapies using clay, flower and plant essences, and herbal extracts.

Hotel Silky Oaks Lodge

Mossman
9.8 Excellent (547 reviews)

Victorian train carriage turned eco resort

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We all love a good hotel room, but did you ever think about spending a night in a Victorian train carriage that dates back to the 1800s? Or what about snuggling under the covers in a 125-year-old timber church? All of this is possible at Glasshouse Mountains Eco Lodge. The former solider settler site was bought by Keith Murray and his family in 1982, and over the years they have worked tirelessly to restore the area to its natural beauty.

Located in the scenic Glasshouse Mountain region, just 90 minutes north of Brisbane, the lodge is proud of its firm eco-focus and belief in sustainability. Solar hot water ensures guests can experience toasty morning showers, and any grey water is recycled and reused in the lodge’s gardens. The lodge also follows a stringent waste recycling system, composting all vegetable matter and recycling glass, metal, and paper.

If sleeping in a converted train carriage or former church is not so much your penchant, the lodge also has standard rooms and villas which come with high ceilings, polished timber floors, and super inviting decks overlooking the rainforest and bushland. Quite simply, everything you need all bundled into the one hotel.

Glasshouse Mountains Ecolodge

Top rated
Glass House Mountains
9.4 Excellent (718 reviews)

Queensland's boutique eco resort

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Located in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, close to the town of Montville, Glass on Glasshouse is all about seclusion at its best. Boutique in size yet grand in style, this four-star B&B offers three contemporary cottages positioned amidst the bushland. If you’re happy to have kangaroos, wallabies, and kookaburras as your neighbours, this is the ideal place for you!

The architect-designed cottages use a glass and steel design, and boast floor-to-ceiling windows that ensure an abundance of natural light. Minimal décor and wooden flooring feature throughout, with indulgent king-sized beds and free-standing whirlpool baths adding an ‘oh so necessary’ touch of luxury. It’s easy to see why Glass on Glasshouse has won so many awards!

In the morning, wake up to breakfast provisions of cereal, bread, and homemade jam. If you’d rather unleash your inner master chef, make use of the barbecue on your very own private deck, and cook up a storm from the best seat in the house. So for an indulgent nature escape with unspoiled views of the spectacular Glasshouse Mountains, this coveted B&B is sure to leave you just tickled pink – and green!

Glass on Glasshouse

Top rated
Glass House Mountains
9.8 Excellent (221 reviews)

An eco resort in the sub-tropical rainforest

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If you want to breathe in the serenity of nature for your next eco-getaway, you should pencil in a weekend stay at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat. Nestled in a World Heritage wildlife reserve in the Gold Coast Hinterland, O’Reilly’s is quite literally off the beaten track – in a good way. Enveloped by sub-tropical rainforest, with the backdrop of the McPherson Mountain Range, this eco resort definitely rivals any flashy inner-city hotel.

The rustic-chic rooms feature hand-crafted furniture, modern amenities, and an abundance of natural light. If you’re willing to dip your toe in a touch of luxury for the weekend, why not go for one of the villas? Different occupancies are available, but all come with a large balcony appointed with a barbecue and a dreamy spa. Oh, and there are some pretty spectacular views to be had!

As tempting as it might be to cosset yourself in one of the villas for the weekend, the wildlife reserve is World Heritage for a good reason! Explore mother nature’s golden child with morning bird walks, glow worm tours or even a Segway Safari that meanders through the natural wonder.

Hotel O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat

Top rated
Canungra
8.8 Excellent (1617 reviews)

A wildlife adventure at this eco resort

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If a recent city trip has left you with a hankering for the outdoors, a weekend at Jabiru Safari Lodge is certain to satisfy your craving. Set in the Mareeba Tropical Savanna and Wetland Reserve, just an hour’s drive out of Cairns, you’ll be sharing the night with local wallabies, emus, and an abundance of birdlife.

The lodge offers African and Eco style safari tents with a touch of class. Think all of the charm of a tent paired with the modern travel conveniences including an ensuite bathroom and a comfortable bed dressed in quality linen. In the afternoon, marvel at the flora and fauna from your very own private timber deck and catch one of the region’s stunning sunsets.

A stay at Jabiru Safari Lodge is all about the experience, with all-in-one packages including accommodation, meals, daily wildlife safari tours, canoeing, and self-guided walks. Could you get any more immersed in the outdoors? The lodge’s custom-designed open Safari vehicle ensures you’ll get to meet eyes with some lanky emus or fluttering lorikeets. If you’d rather just sit back and relax in the bush setting, head to the lodge’s heated Jacuzzi and sip on some bubbly for the afternoon.

Jabiru Safari Lodge

Mareeba
8.5 Excellent (13 reviews)