Nestled in the rugged bushland of Northern Queensland, Mt Mulligan Lodge is an all-inclusive luxury accommodation set on a 28,000-hectare site rich with gold and coal rush history and 37,000 years of Indigenous heritage.
Mt Mulligan Lodge is serious about their responsibility to protect, restore, and preserve the environment, working every day to make positive change and leave things better than when they found them.
Some of their sustainability initiatives include installing rainwater collection tanks for irrigation, investing in composting and recycling facilities and utilising solar energy to power the lodge and provide hot water for guests. Additionally, Mt Mulligan Lodge prioritises sourcing local, organic, free-range, fair trade, biodynamic and sustainably farmed produce and products from local suppliers where possible.
Ecotourism Australia asked the General Managers of Mt Mulligan Lodge, James and Phoebe Egan a few questions about their Certification and sustainability initiatives.
Image: James and Phoebe Egan, General Managers of Mt Mt Mulligan Lodge
What was your main reason for pursuing certification?
Sustainability is at the core of everything we do at Mt Mulligan Lodge, having been part of our story and guiding principles since our inception.
One of the main reasons we decided to pursue certification with Ecotourism Australia was because it is well-regarded, recognised and trusted across the tourism and hospitality industry.
The certification empowers us to confidently share our sustainability story, practices, and ethos with our guests, employees, and local community.
Image: Mt Mulligan Lodge, Mount Mulligan, QLD. Credit: James Vodicka
Were there any recommendations that improved your business?
As a luxury lodge, our guests are always our top priority. The regular audits have provided expert guidance on areas for improvement, helping us stay aligned with our sustainability goals. The audits also kept our team accountable for upholding and improving our sustainability practices for the long term.
Key insights from the audits include:
- Enhancements in waste management, resource, and energy efficiency
- A framework to optimize our daily operations
- Procurement recommendations to help us source more ethical products
Image: Interior of Mt Mulligan Lodge. Credit: Jason Lerace
How has certification impacted your business so far?
Increasingly, travellers are seeking eco-certified experiences in the luxury travel market. Our advanced certification provides us with a distinctive advantage against our competitors in the luxury lodge sector.
Our eco-conscious guests have also expressed their support and praise for our sustainability practices and accreditation during their stay with us. We hope to make our guests feel proud of their choice to stay with us and encourage them to return and share their positive feedback with their family and friends.
Additionally, the access to resources and networking opportunities with like-minded businesses within the Ecotourism Australia community has also been incredibly valuable. This collaboration allows us to share our initiatives and learn best practices from others, helping to drive positive change across the sustainable tourism industry.
Image: Panoramic view of Mt Mulligan Lodge. Credit: James Vodicka
To discover more about Mt Mulligan Lodge, you can find them on the Green Travel Guide.