Glamping Accommodation
Bunurong Country / Tootgarook, Victoria
On the Mornington Peninsula, a bespoke glamping experience awaits guests for a romantic couple’s getaway or a rejuvenating personal retreat.
Yurt Hideaway is tucked into the beachside town of Tootgarook, which allows guests to enjoy their privacy while discovering this buzzing tourist destination. Mornington Peninsula is just one hour from Melbourne and wins people over with its shallow waters, beaches, hot springs, boutiques, wineries, and restaurants. The accommodation is a genuine Mongolian yurt handmade from traditional materials. The spacious round room, private bathroom, outdoor kitchenette, and seating are down to earth, yet have a luxurious feel to them. Natural, eco-friendly products for the guests’ basic needs add to the authentic flair.
After first hearing about the Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard from ECO Certified operator, Wild Adventures Melbourne, Yurt Hideaway completed the Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard to understand their sustainability activities and how they could improve.
“I wanted to know how we are doing sustainability-wise. It is a strong interest of mine and I had thought of everything I could to make the space eco-friendly, but I wanted to see if there was more, we could do to improve”, explains Kelly, the owner of Yurt Hideaway.
Kelly noted the Scorecard provided her with an increased understanding of sustainability in business management, including of the expectations and documentation behind tracking and maintaining high standards.
Kelly describes the application process as detailed, but simple to follow as progress is easily tracked and it can be broken into multiple small sessions if needed.
For Yurt Hideaway, being recognised for their sustainability efforts is important. “I am really happy with our score (and hope to improve it next time) and think the score is a really important way to communicate how sustainable our offering is.”
One of the guiding principles of Yurt Hideaway is zero waste. They aim for consumables to be natural in biodegradable or compostable packaging. Suppliers and partners are selected due to their sustainability focus, ethically sourced, natural products, and being a local business. Where possible second-hand and upcycling are chosen and high-quality, long-lasting items and furnishings are purchased. Their scorecard can be found on the business’s website along with their efforts in sustainability.
Kelly commented on some of the sustainability initiatives they are most proud of: “The solar panels were even more beneficial than I expected when we took the time to measure them in terms of CO2 reduction. I also love that we have a connection with 15 Trees and our local MP Koalas group to supply them with trees for planting for every guest who books with us. It is a very rewarding way to give back to the local environment and community.”
The Scorecard provided them with useful insights and ideas that they are keen to start implementing. Kelly would like to retake the Scorecard in the future to reflect on their improvement and guide them further on their sustainability journey!
Click here to learn more about Yurt Hideaway’s sustainable efforts, and book your stay: https://yurthideaway.com.au/sustainability/
Compass Hut completed their Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard on 24 January 2024 and is a snapshot of their current sustainability practices. The scorecard is not a certification and is valid for 12 months upon completion.