Case Studies

A number of Queensland tourism operators are implementing sustainable practices and initiatives in their businesses. A range of case studies have been prepared to illustrate the proactive approach of Queensland tourism operators in responding to the threat of climate change and the need for sustainable tourism practices. Use the links below to find a case study that will help you understand how you might be able to respond or how other businesses in your region are acting on climate change.

Below is a summary of key findings from the case studies:

• In addition to maintaining the quality of the environment, sustainability initiatives can reduce operating costs, increase efficiency, enhance visitor experiences and improve customer satisfaction.
• Operating sustainably is rewarding for both operators and guests who respond positively to an operation’s environmental initiatives and are happy to actively participate in achieving an operator’s environmental goals.
• The most successful sustainable operators are those who have a long-term commitment and are driven by passion.
• The most efficient way of operating sustainably is to build measures into the business from the beginning, but changing existing habits and operating procedures is still possible. Owners / managers should undertake extensive research before acting to ensure they make the right decisions for their operation, and do not get caught up in the green-wash.
• Government initiatives can provide very useful advice and financial incentives. Sometimes sustainable products can include large up-front expenses but there are numerous Government grants available to assist operators.
• The biggest environmental issue in Queensland is the drought and water-saving initiatives are often the first to be implemented. Popular initiatives include recycling of rain water; installing water tanks; use of drought tolerant landscaping techniques; installation of water efficient showerheads and dual flush systems. Other common initiatives include installing energy efficient light bulbs and gas appliances; promoting the efficient use of water and electricity; practice of environmentally sustainable design techniques such as natural lighting, recycled building materials, etc.
• Many businesses began on the pathway to sustainability long before it became a public issue. Motivation often stems from an owner’s passion for the environment and nature, commitment to the future sustainability of the area, and desire to maintain the environment for future generations.

Case Studies by Sector

Included below are a range of case studies on Queensland tourism operators. The case studies are split by sector. Use the links below to skip to the sector you are interested in. Alternatively, you may choose to view case studies by location:

-  Accommodation
-  Tours, Transport and Activities
-  Food and Beverage
-  Attractions
-  Other



Accommodation

• 1770 Reef House, Seventeen Seventy
• Airlie Beach Hotel, Airlie Beach
• Barney Creek Vineyard Cottages, Scenic Rim
• Big 4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort Caravan Park, Airlie Beach
• Black Cockatoo Cabin, Scenic Rim
• Blue Horizon Resort Apartments, Airlie Beach
• Broadwater Haven, Deepwarter
• Broken River Mountain Resort, Mackay Hinterland
• Cape Hillsborough Nature Resort, Mackay
• Cape Hillsborough Nature Resort, Crisis Management, Mackay
• Capricorn Caves, Rockhampton
• Clandulla Cottages and Farmstay, Scenic Rim
• Dolphin Holiday Accommodation, North Stradbroke Island
• Eco Queenslander Sustainable Holiday Home and B&B  
• Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat, Gold Coast Hinterland
• Hidden Valley Cabins, Hidden Valley
• Hyatt Regency, Sanctuary Cove, Gold Coast
• Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort, Lady Elliot Island
• Lagoon Pocket Bed and Breakfast, Lagoon Pocket
• Lalaland Guest Houses, Agnes Water and Seventeen Seventy
• Lillydale Farmstay, Scenic Rim
• Logan and Albert Hotel, Beaudesert
• Magnetic Sands on the Beach, Magnetic Island
• Mango House Resort, Airlie Beach
• Mango Tree Motel, Agnes Water and Seventeen Seventy
• Marriott Resort and Spa, Surfers Paradise
• Mt. Barney Lodge, Scenic Rim
• Mystery Mountain Farmstay, Gold Coast Hinterland
• Novotel Twin Waters Resort, Sunshine Coast
• Portside Whitsunday Apartments, Airlie Beach
• Queensland Operators making a difference
• Ray White, North Stradbroke Island
• Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat, Atherton Tablelands
• Royal Hayman Hotel, Hayman Island
• Shaws on the Shore, Magnetic Island
• Straddie Sales and Rentals, North Stradbroke Island
• Sunbird Gardens, Agnes Water and Seventeen Seventy
• Thala Beach Lodge, Port Douglas
• The Sebel and Citigate Hotel King George Square, Brisbane
• Toscana Village Resort, Airlie Beach
• Tropical Palms Inn, Magnetic Island
• Waters Edge Resort, Airlie Beach

 
Tours, Transport and Activities 

• 1770! Larc Tours, Seventeen Seventy
• Adrenalin Jet Ski Tours, Magnetic Island
• Agnes Beach Bicycles, Agnes Water
• Big Red Cat, North Stradbroke Island
• Capricorn Caves, Rockhampton
• Coastal Island Safaris, North Stradbroke Island
• Cruise Whitsundays, Airlie Beach
• Discovery Coast Cruisers, Agnes Water
• Down Under Tours, Cairns
• Fantasea Cruising, Magnetic Island
• Fish’n N Fuel’n, Magnetic Island
• Forest Flying, Mackay Hinterland
• Great Barrier Reef Airport, Hamilton Island
• Magnetic Island Bike Hire, Magnetic Island
• Magnetic Island Sea Kayaks, Magnetic Island   
• Maxi Action, Airlie Beach
• Maxi Action, Crisis Management, Airlie Beach
• Meridian Marinas, Abel Point
• Ocean Rafting, Airlie Beach
• Providence V Sailing Island, Magnetic Island
• Southern Cross 4WD Tours, Scenic Rim
• Stradbroke Ferries, North Stradbroke Island
• Straddie Kingfisher Tours, North Stradbroke Island
• Sunbus, Magnetic Island
• Tall Ship Adventures, Airlie Beach
• Tuff Trax, Magnetic Island
• Whitsunday Coast Airport, Proserpine
• Whitsunday Private Yacht Charter, Airlie Beach
• Whitsunday Rent a Yacht, Airlie Beach

Food and Beverage  

• Agnes Water Tavern, Agnes Water
• Criterion Hotel, Mackay
• Fishes at the Point, North Stradbroke Island
• Flames of the Forest, Daintree, Tropical North Queensland
• Stradbroke Bakery, North Stradbroke Island
• Swensons Restaurant, Bungalow Bay, Magnetic Island
• Tamborine Mountain Distillery, Scenic Rim

Attractions

• Aquasearch Aquarium, Magnetic Island
• Butterfly House, Magnetic Island
• Coral Sea Gallery, North Stradbroke Island
• Lark Quarry Dinosaur Trackways, Winton
• North Stradbroke Island Historical Museum, North Stradbroke Island
• Sarina Sugar Shed, Sarina

 Other

• Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services (QPWS)
• Magnetic Times, Magnetic Island
• Queensland Operators making a difference
• Tourism Queensland, Whitsunday and Mackay Zone Office
• Tourism Whitsundays

Tourism Queensland also has a range of case studies prepared on destinations approaches to sustainability. These include:

Establishing a Sustainability Framework for the Great Ocean Road - Geelong Otway Tourism and the regional partners of the Great Ocean Road have recognised the development of a sustainable tourism industry along the Great Ocean Road as a priority for the future of the region.

Savings in the City is an innovative environmental program that helps Melbourne city hotels to cut their energy, water and production of waste.

The Gold Coast Sustainability Challenge is a versatile online program that allows school children to manage their use of energy, water and production of waste.