THALA Beach Nature Reserve ticks all the boxes if you go looking for the ultimate eco-tourism experience.

And this extreme and concentrated focus on the eco system through sustainable practices and environmental sensitivity, has brought them Advanced eco-certification credentials and Green Travel Leader status with Ecotourism Australia.

This, says Johan Klindt, the resort’s general manager for the past 11 years, is something Thala is proud of, but not something that is taken for granted.

“We have managed to sustain this status by constantly building and fine tuning what we have in place,” said Klindt who joined the resort 17 years ago.

“To enjoy this kind of positioning, we are subjected to an intense audit and all aspects of what we offer are examined.

“Our complimentary guided walks, stargazing and coconut odyssey tours, with knowledgeable on-site rangers or exploring our network of forest trails, all come into consideration. As does our embracing of the indigenous people and introducing their culture,” he said.
Thala’s 2km of private access beach is one of the retreat’s most popular assets.

The Green Travel Leader program was established in 2006 and is awarded to Ecotourism Australia members who demonstrate a sustainable and long-term past, present and future commitment to ecotourism.

An exclusive club of just 127 Green Travel Leaders across Australia, Thala is one of 20 tourism operators to recently reach this significant milestone of 10 years Ecotourism Australia certification.

“Over the past 20 years, Ecotourism Australia has grown from a small group of environmental tourism enthusiasts to the world’s most respected industry organisation in ecotourism,” says eco- tourism doyen Professor Ross Dowling.

“Credible certification programs such as these ratified by Ecotourism Australia, offer re-assurance to visitors that tourism businesses are implementing sustainable practices and are committed to environmental, social and cultural sustainability.

“Consumers are increasingly aware of climate change and do consider environmental sustainability when making purchase decisions.

“In the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, Thala is proud to join this team of leaders in sustainable ecotourism,” said Klindt.

Thala Beach Nature Reserve is a deluxe family-owned beachfront eco retreat just 15 minutes’ drive from Port Douglas.

Spacious eco-designed tree house-style bungalows offer a peaceful sanctuary for guests among 58ha of native forest. Popular with nature loving travellers, Thala’s forest provides a habitat for a thriving Wallaby population as well as hundreds of bird and butterfly species.

Sitting atop a beachfront headland with breathtaking ocean and mountain views, Thala is positioned within easy reach of two UNESCO World Heritage sites – the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics Daintree Rainforest.

Have you stayed at Thala? Let us know in the comments below!

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