In The Weekend Australian Travel + Luxury, the spotlight turns to how travellers can actively participate in Australian conservation efforts, with a focus on four members of Luxury Lodges of Australia.
At Saffire Freycinet, guests are invited to partake in the Tasmanian Devil Experience, a rare opportunity to witness these iconic creatures during feeding time. This immersive encounter allows visitors to observe and learn about the devils in their natural habitat, contributing to the broader efforts to protect and preserve this endangered species.
“Guests can support the research through the Adopt-a-Devil program, with funds going directly towards the vaccine effort.”
The Great Barrier Reef, stretching over 2,300 kilometres, offers myriad ways for visitors to engage with conservation initiatives. At Lizard Island, in the far north, guests can leave the comfort of their hammocks to explore the Lizard Island Research Station, where they gain insight into groundbreaking coral reef research. This unique experience provides an intimate understanding of the challenges and triumphs in preserving one of the world’s most delicate ecosystems.
“Lady Musgrave HQ – a liveaboard pontoon in Lady Musgrave Island Lagoon – invites guests to become a marine biologist for a day, assisting scientists to gather underwater data.”
In South Australia’s Flinders Ranges, Arkaba stands as a testament to the power of conservation. Once a pastoral property, this private wildlife conservancy has undergone a remarkable transformation. The new owners have implemented a range of conservation initiatives aimed at restoring the landscape to its natural, pre-pastoral state. Guests at Arkaba have the opportunity to witness this restoration firsthand, experiencing the rugged beauty of a landscape in the process of healing.
“Guests can contribute to ongoing restoration efforts through tree planting, assisting with fence removal (relics from the livestock days) setting up trip cameras to monitor animal movements, or joining a biologist on wildlife surveys.”
On the western coast, Live Ningaloo offers a deeply immersive experience with their swim tours off the fringing reef near Exmouth. Guests of Sal Salis can actively contribute to ongoing research of Ningaloo Reef, with every wildlife interaction meticulously documented and the data integrated into broader scientific studies.
“Guests contribute to ongoing research, with every wildlife interaction documented and the data collated. Beckwith says they’re in the process of developing an advanced citizen-science program that goes far beyond data entry, and they’ll be exploring ways to work with local Indigenous groups.”
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