The answer to this question is very complex, and is best looked at under the structure of Ecotourism Australia's Nature and Ecotourism Accreditation Program (NEAP). It assesses products on criteria grouped under these headings.
- Natural Area Focus
- Ecological Sustainability
- Education and interpretation
- Contribution to conservation
- Cultural sensitivity
- Working with local communities
- Client satisfaction
Natural Area Focus
This is an easy one to start with. O'Reilly's is surrounded by the World Heritage listed Lamington National Park and adjoining Border Ranges National Park. While many of our guided activities take place on privately owned land, this area is now used only for conservation and tourism purposes.
Ecological Sustainability
Energy:
- Greenhouse gas strategy applied to all building projects and refurbishments in since 1997. This has lead to the commissioning of gas and solar services for space and water heating in most instances. Heat pumps have been found to be more efficient in some buildings.
- Existing electric hot water and space heating is controlled by an Electrical Load Flattener that sheds demand during periods of high usage.
Construction:
- Recycled materials are used where possible in construction of either light weight cabins or blocks of accommodation that contain significant thermal mass.
Water:
- The water supply at O'Reilly's is a natural spring high in the mountains. Gravity delivers it to the Guesthouse where it is filtered through sand and then UV light treatment, to ensure that we receive high quality, chemical free water.
- Water usage is reduced via 'Gem-flo' flow restrictors on all taps throughout the property.
Wastewater:
- A flow-balanced tertiary treatment system sees effluent pass through primary separation and filtration before an activated sludge secondary stage. Clarification occurs prior to a tertiary sand filtration, disinfection and dispersal.
Education and interpretation
- O'Reilly's is famous for the quality of its interpretive discovery program. 90 years of rainforest and mountain experiences are woven into the content.
- Our daily Discovery Program starts at 6:45am and continues till 9:30pm each evening. Guided walks, four wheel drive bus trips, our 190 metre flying fox, wildlife spotlighting, glow worm walks, audio-visuals and nature documentaries are daily features.
- Our children's activity program runs over Queensland school holidays, providing fun nature education for the kids. In the evening the children's dinner gives Mum and Dad a chance to enjoy the sunset and a quiet dinner while the kids have fun.
Contribution to conservation
- Our Bird and Wildlife Week surveys provide annual snapshots of fauna populations in the region. All of the data collected through the course of each week is collated and provided to the QPWS for accumulation in their records database.
- The Green Mountains Natural History Association (GMNHA) has worked hand in hand with O'Reilly's since 1976 producing numerous projects that enhance the visitor experience in this section of Lamington National Park. Joint projects include the internationally famous Tree Top Walkway, and the wheelchair accessible Python Rock Track and Lookout.
- Since 1916 O'Reilly's has actively supported research into the natural environment of Lamington National Park. Topics have included canopy arthropods, bird behaviour, botany and forest dynamics and impacts of tourism.
- The Coxen's Fig Parrot is probably Australia's rarest bird. Populations of this small elusive parrot have plummeted as humans destroyed the lowland rainforests where the birds lived. O'Reilly's has been an active member of the Recovery Team charged with the responsibility of saving this species from extinction.
Cultural sensitivity
- Douglas James is a local descendant of the Yugambeh people, a name given to several family groups of Aborigines sharing a common language in an area roughly bordered by the Tweed and Logan rivers. Douglas is an interpretive guide at O'Reilly's where the combination of traditional knowledge and interpretive skills is producing first class cultural interpretive experiences.
Working with local communities
- O'Reilly's policy of employing local people and purchasing from local suppliers whenever possible ensures that ecotourism benefits the local community.
Client satisfaction
- At O'Reilly's the combination of return and referred guests totals about 55% of our annual patronage. It is the best quality assurance we can offer
- All Guests are invited to participate in our exit survey to provide feedback on their O'Reilly's experience.
Environmental Management Plan
O'Reilly's has a detailed Environmental Management Plan (EMP), the plan forms the basis for the operation of our business and is reviewed, audited and updated regularly. 'O'Reilly's Environmental Management Policy' provides a summary of the EMP.
