Want to be kind to yourself and the Earth at the same time? Here are our favourite eco-friendly destinations
Travel is wonderful, but it's not always the most sustainable pastime. From the fossil fuels burnt while getting to your destination to the road snacks in plastic packaging, many of the things we love about travel have a lasting environmental impact. Plus, when you get where you're going you're often likely to be more wasteful with water, electricity and other utilities than you might be at your own home.
But going on a holiday doesn't have to mean leaving a negative environmental impact in your wake. We have found ten eco-friendly properties in Victoria where you can relax, and secure in the knowledge that your trip isn't costing the Earth. And not only are these destinations environmentally friendly, they also happen to be pretty fabulous. Happy travels!
You don't need a lot of space when you have an outdoor rain shower, handmade steel bathtub, kitchenette with microwave, fridge and Nespresso machine, Webber barbecue, breakfast basket with fresh milk and fresh fruit, TV with Netflix, split-system heating and cooling and handmade firepit. This is a shipping container with the lot.
This one's for the lovers – and those in relationships new enough that the idea of spending an internet-free weekend together sounds romantic. This carbon-neutral cabin is the place to toast marshmallows by the campfire, go on long walks in the wilderness and sit in the outdoor bathtub and gaze up at the stars. There is mains power and split-system heating and cooling, along with a wood fire to keep you comfortable. Water comes from rainwater, and there are gas bottles to heat it. It's the place to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with each other – and with the koalas, wombats, possums, wallabies, kangaroos and countless birds who share the property.
Located for a tiny house on top of a hill overlooking rolling hills and gorgeous sunsets? This adorable Airbnb in Victoria's Heathcote Hills is the one for you. An eco-lover's dream, the tiny house is solar-powered and relies entirely on rainwater so you'll be asked to be mindful of your energy usage. As far as amenities go, it's pretty luxurious considering your surroundings – think luxury bed linen, a super comfy bed, a fully equipped kitchen, an outdoor firepit and BBQ, and hot showers. Okay, there is a compositing toilet but life's all about balance, right?
Want to go completely off the grid? This could be the place to do it. The award-winning property was featured on Grand Designs Australia and is completely solar-powered. Rainwater is collected on the site and is filtered to be used in places like the semi-outdoor pool, which overlooks hectares of bushland. All of the rooms in the house face north to maximise the sun, and there's also an efficient double-sided fireplace in the open-plan living area. The main bedroom includes a king-sized bed and an open glass double-head shower so you can get clean (or, hey, get dirty) while drinking in the beauty of the surrounding bushland.
This off-grid house is nestled among 14 hectares of native bushland, so there's lots of space to stretch and explore. The house is built from salvaged Monterey Cypress timber and is just 15 minutes from Daylesford, though it feels a world away. The walk-in shower with rainfall showerhead and floor-to-ceiling windows will make you feel like you're showering in the middle of the forest. The open fire will keep things warm and cosy, and there's always plenty of wood.
On an organic farm, you will find this super-sustainable tiny house, built from a shipping container and upcycled building materials. The highlight is the greenhouse bathroom with a hot tub surrounded by ferns and tropical flowers. You'll have the place to yourself – yourself and the family of koalas who live in the trees next door, and the kangaroos, wallabies, possums, echidnas and native birds who are often on the property. Hit the hiking trails just behind the cabin to see if you can find some new furry or feathered friends. The potbellied stove keeps things plenty warm, and there is a fully equipped kitchen.
Pets and children are welcome at this handmade house, which is made of recycled materials. There's a Japanese bathhouse on the property, so you can enjoy a long, hot soak among nature. The giant king bed (bigger than a normal king) was sourced in Jakarta and is a 19th-century antique four-poster bed. The property is only a 30-minute drive to Wilsons Prom and only five minutes to Walkerville Beach. There's wi-fi for those who like to stay connected and a comfy hammock for those who don't.
These eco-friendly cabins are located on a fruit and nut orchard, so guests will be surrounded by nature and farm life and will be able to forage for nuts or fruit when those things are in season. Or leave that to the professionals and enjoy organic food and wine from the farm cellar door and restaurant. The cabins are powered by solar and wind, and cooking and heating are done on the woodstove or outside gas burner. The queen loft bed is upstairs, and downstairs there is a fold-out couch.
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