5 luxury eco-retreats to celebrate the New Year

Need to revitalise and reset after a busy year?

Our Wildlife Land Trust’s Sanctuaries You Can Stay program features a wide range of retreats across the country, offering peaceful, luxurious retreats surrounded by pristine nature. Better yet, each stay helps to support conservation, research and bush regeneration, helping to support native species and their habitats in Australia.

Get some inspiration for a refreshing, relaxing and memorable retreat for you and your loved ones below – for a full list of retreats, check out: https://hsi.org.au/australian-wildlife-and-habitats/wildlife-land-trust/find-a-sanctuary-map/

Yondah Beach House – South Australia

This breathtaking coastal hideaway is set on the 150-acre on the wild southern coast of Yorke Peninsula, Spacious, self-contained retreats here offer views of the surrounding crystal oceans and windswept dunes.

An easy 3-hour drive from Adelaide, these retreats offer a unique ‘luxe-in-nature’ experience complete with private sandy beaches, panoramic sea views to Kangaroo Island, clifftop walks, rare native orchids, abundant bird life, and pods of whales in winter. Explore the stunning wilderness of South Australia with snorkelling in crystal clear rock pools, or hike along dramatic clifftops to secret coves and secluded beaches.

You can get involved in monitoring wildlife like pygmy possums and malleefowl or take part in revegetation projects to build habitat for native butterflies and bees.

https://hsi.org.au/sanctuary/yondah-beach-house/

Wildside Sanctuary – New South Wales

The perfect weekend getaway for couples, Wildside Sanctuary is set in the stunning woodlands of Mountain Lagoon, near Bilpin, New South Wales. Stay in The Bower, a spacious eco cottage with a private spa, sunlit deck and firepit.

Book a private birding or wildlife tour with a local expert to learn about the incredible species on this sanctuary and how they thrive in their woodland habitats. You’ll get the chance to spot gang-gang cockatoos, gliders, wallabies, wombats and nocturnal birds in their natural habitat.

To get even more involved, volunteer to help expert ecologists with the tracking and monitoring of local koalas or head to one of Mountains for Wildlife’s community events on wildlife and conservation.

https://hsi.org.au/sanctuary/wildside-sanctuary/

The Cubby – Queensland

Set within the Crater Lakes and Mabi Forest regions, The Cubby Luxury Nature Retreat will help you to unwind and reconnect with the natural world. With complete privacy, you can enjoy the sounds of nature and serenity from the breakfast bar or the outdoor bathtub on this stunning sanctuary.

Spend the day spotting the incredible birdlife, platypus, turtles and water dragons by the creek, and if you’re lucky you may see a tree kangaroo or sugar glider! At night, the stunning fireplace keeps the house and deck cosy, with incredible clear nights for stargazing.

If you want to get your hands dirty, the retreat also has opportunities to volunteer with regeneration and conservation work to support the resident wildlife.

https://hsi.org.au/sanctuary/the-cubby/

Hidden Grove Retreat – Western Australia

Set amongst 100 acres of stunning Jarrah forest, Hidden Grove Retreat offers privacy and serenity in spacious luxury chalets. Located just 30 minutes southeast of Donnybrook in Western Australia, this retreat guarantees a relaxing and romantic getaway that will leave you feeling refreshed and revitalised.

Enjoy a game of tennis, giant chess or badminton and explore the sanctuary’s forest trails, or head out to visit the local wineries and National Parks. In the evenings, relax in your personal hot-tub and watch the blue wrens and orange breasted robins flit about your verandah.

https://hsi.org.au/sanctuary/hidden-grove-retreat/

Cloudlake Mountain Retreat – Queensland

This eco-designed, organic retreat is perched just above Cloudlake in a hidden valley close to Ravensbourne National Park.

After the most refreshing sleep, open up the French doors and enjoy breakfast above the lake where you can spot visiting waterbirds including black ducks, wood ducks and grebes.

Explore the landscaped gardens, orchards and vineyard or lose yourself in the cool, lush rainforest with its ancient trees along the creek. See if you can add to the 130 species of birds spotted on the property, or find rainforest snails, mountain worms, land mullet lizards, echidna or a platypus.

https://hsi.org.au/sanctuary/cloudlake-mountain-retreat/