Aquila Eco Lodges
Property Information
Property Locality: Southern Grampians
Type of Property: self-contained eco-lodges
Number of Bedrooms: 6
Number of Bathrooms: 4
Maximum Persons: 20
Children: suitable for children
Rates
Price Range: $250/$300 per couple
Weekend: $280 per couple per night
Midweek: $250 per couple per night
Specials: decreasing rates for stays longer than 5 days
Special Conditions: Min. 2 night stay at weekends
Extra adult: $50 per night
Public holidays: $300 per couple per night. Min. 3 night stay
Rates are inclusive of GST and are subject to change without notice.
Property Description
Aquila Eco Lodges are nestled in 100 acres of virgin bushland – bordered by the Grampians National Park and the Grampians Golf Course. Located 6 kilometres from Dunkeld in the Southern Grampians, the lodges are truly spectacular, and their private setting in bushland guarantees the most peaceful surroundings you will never forget!
Aquila features four lodges in total and two unique award-winning lodge designs. All lodges have been angled to minimise summer sun, whilst maximising winter sun, and are equipped with wood heaters, evaporative cooling, fully equipped kitchen, TV, DVD, VCR and CD players.
Treehouse The treehouse is on 3 levels and ideally sleeps 2 people (up to a maximum of 4, no children under the age of 10 years please). The ground floor comprises a private outdoor area with a gas BBQ and an outdoor setting. The first floor contains warm redgum floors throughout, a full kitchen, huge picture windows inset with cosy day beds, a dining setting and comfy chairs. A specially-designed shower enables you to shower in view of the wildlife or to be able to raise a powered blind for complete privacy.The second floor sleeps a queen size or twin bed, looking out through huge picture windows onto the treetops. An intimate lodge – ideal for a romantic getaway.
Environmental Initiatives:
Power
Energy has been a huge challenge at Aquila, with no networked energy sources linked to the property. Low wattage appliances and lighting have been carefully selected, with guests encouraged to conserve power. The sources of energy are:
- Solar energy with a computer controlled base, and with 8 additional solar panels to provide a more reliable service.
- A diesel generator for back-up which is run, in part, on bio-diesel, which we produce ourselves from waste vegetable oil, methanol and caustic soda. We recycle cooking oil normally thrown out by the local restaurants.
Water
All water is collected on site, using the roofs of all buildings. The total storage capacity is almost 300,000 litres, including 40,000 litres reserved for fire fighting. Recent initiatives include:
- The reclamation of Waterfall Creek through the Aquila property has resulted in the restoration of a variety of flora and fauna, including a rare ‘greenhood orchid’ which has first been observed this winter in the newly wet area.
- Recycling of grey water, initially to water a native bush food orchard.
- An attempt to record water usage for accreditation purposes.
- Advice to visitors on water usage.
Waste Management
At Aquila, we follow the ‘3 R’ principle of recycling, reusing, and reducing, with less waste, pollution and environmental impact. Our actions include:
- Operating a complete composting (Dowmus) system for food waste and black and grey water. It uses worms to break down waste, whilst meeting the highest accommodation and health standards.
- Sorting waste on-site, and taking it to the local recycling tip.
- Measuring and recording levels of non-biodegradable waste for “Green Globe’ accreditation (2 wheelie bins each 2 – 3 week period for the whole facility).
Building design
The building materials have been carefully selected for their sensitivity to the surrounding environment and fire considerations, whilst enhancing an environmentally-responsible living experience. Where possible, local suppliers from within the Grampians have been used to supply various products such as red-gum flooring and sandstone paving and brickwork.
Environmentally-friendly features include:
- Insulation
- Fire resistant building materials
- PVC free cabling
- Flushing compost toilet system
- Glazing
- Slow combustion wood heaters
- Evaporative cooling
- Solar power generation
- Passive heating and cooling architectural design
- Energy efficient lighting
- Non-toxic paint and natural oil finishes
Care for the local environment
Accredited by Ecotourism Australia, Aquila offers interpretive trails, guided walks, a resource library, and an entertainment/lecture amphitheatre. Demonstrating sustainable living principles, the Aquila property is also covenanted with Trust For Nature which will protect the unique bushland forever.
Kangaroos, wallabies, emus, echidna and over 200 varieties of birds call Aquila home. The bushland abounds with native orchids, some rare and endangered, a heath understorey and a multitude of grass trees, hakeas, grevilleas and banksias, all under coverage of a stringy bark canopy. In recognition of its quest for continuous improvement Aquila has received business and environmental management awards.
Contact Details
Host: Harry and Iwona Wakeling
Address: Manns Road, Dunkeld Vic 3294
environmentally friendly accommodation, ecotourism, green travel
