5 Australia’s top green hostels

According to a survey from worldwide travel trade body ABTA, holiday makers say the carbon footprint of the accommodation they book influences their decision on where to stay. The traditional ‘sun, sand and sea’ vacation is no longer enough for some, neither are hotels claiming environmental credentials for offering not to change the towels every day.

Environmentally friendly practice is now standard fare in the hospitality sector’s marketing initiatives around the world, but the definition of ‘green’ varies enormously from one organisation to another and from one certification body to another. In reality, few in the tourism sector do more than pay lip service to reducing their carbon footprint.

One organisation with a genuine commitment to carbon reduction and a carbon-conscious ethos that goes back a long way is YHA (the Youth Hostel Association). Providing inexpensive but high quality accommodation, YHA can genuinely claim to be committed to reducing its carbon footprint. All 4,000 hostels around the world must comply with the organisations environmental charter for conserving resources, recycling, caring for nature and educating its members about the environment. From eco-hostels built using sustainable materials to properties growing their own vegetables, many YHAs go the extra mile.

YHA Australia won a special commendation for its commitment to the environment and for investigating and funding greenhouse gas reductions within its own organisation from the Carbon Reduction Institute, the premier provider of carbon neutral certification for business in Australia. And YHA in New South Wales was given Silver Partner status in the NSW Government Sustainability Advantage programme in 2011 to mark World Environment Day, in recognition of the‘green’ improvements in its hostel network over the past year.

YHA Australia has put its money where its mouth is, as well as that of its visitors. YHA guests have donated more than $10,000 towards the YHA’s Carbon Reduction Program since 2007, which is helping to shift its long-standing practice up a gear by transforming a number of Australian hostels into models of sustainable practice.

Australia’s 100 YHA hostels are blessed with plenty of one natural resource – sunshine– and it is being put to good use. Many have installed solar panels to power hot water and lighting, systems for harvesting rainwater as well as water saving devices. Guests are encouraged to take shorter showers and turn off taps after brushing teeth and cleaning dishes. None of this is rocket science, but in a country prone to drought, like Australia, water conservation is extremely important. YHA Australia also stopped selling water bottles to encourage guests to refill the ones they have from taps.

There are many examples of ‘green’ YHA hostels in the Australian network, including those located at ApolloBay and the Grampians in Victoria, Port Douglas in north Queensland and in the Blue Mountains in New South Wales. And YHA is not resting on its laurels; it has ambitious plans to continue honing its sustainability record. Below we have selected five eco-conscious hostels. For more information, visit www.yha.com.au.

This hostel Grampians in Victoria was designed to be environmentally sustainable from the start, using rammed earth, stone, reverse brick veneer, corrugated iron clad walls and burnished concrete floors. It grows its own fruit and vegetables for the use of guests, has a herb garden and even has its own ‘chooks’ (hens to those who don’t speak Australian) laying fresh eggs.

The hostel uses a passive solar design for electricity and hot water, which maximises winter sun penetration and protects the building from the effects of sunshine in the summer. It provides grey water recycling to save energy and has reverse-cycle overhead fans in the main guest lounges.

There is plenty to see and do in this rugged mountain range renowned for its breathtaking rocky views, rich culture and stunning wildflower displays. Visit Aboriginal rock art sites, spectacular lookouts and awe inspiring waterfalls. Or guests can enjoy bushwalking, rock-climbing, picnicking, bike riding or fishing.

The local nightlife includes seeing kangaroos eating at dusk on the hostel lawn as well as some excellent restaurants and the local pub. Alternatively, you could curl up by the fire with your fellow backpackers.

One of the first city accommodation facilities to received Eco-TourismAustralia accreditation, Melbourne Metro YHA has also formalised its environmental commitment through an AAA Tourism Green Stars endorsement of its 4-star rating. Located on the city fringe, it provides panoramic views of MelbourneCity from the rooftop lounge and BBQ.

The hostel Melbourne Metro uses a solar system which generates 75 per cent of the hot water it uses. It has ten 440 litre units, each with three solar panels. The combined environmental savings of these units equates to around 70 tonnes of greenhouse gas. It offers a comprehensive recycling system in the kitchens to help guests recycle their paper, plastic containers, glass bottles and aluminium cans. Electronic thermostats have been installed on all heating devices that power-off the system once the temperature reaches the programmed level. And, last but not least, all 52 toilets now operate dual flush cisterns to cut down the amount of water used for sewerage disposal by as much as two-thirds.

The hostel has a cafe, high speed internet, WiFi, Skype, ATM, cable TV and bicycle hire. It has won the Victorian Tourism award for Best Backpacker Accommodation for three years in a row.

This hostel Alice Springs, nestled in the centre of this atmospheric outback town, launched its solar powered carbon reduction initiative in January 2012 after successfully winning a grant from the Federal Government’s SolarCity project as well as funding from the YHA Hostel Carbon Reduction programme. It allows YHA members and guests to contribute a dollar for each booking made using YHA’s website, yha.com.au.

Given its desert location, it is an ideal spot to capitalise onAustralia’s year round sunshine to generate electricity. The hostel uses a 10.64 kilowatt grid tie solar panel system on its roof, which has 56,190 watt modules, and it will also have a wireless link to the environmental panel to show how much energy it is saving.

Built within the grounds of an historic outdoor movie theatre, the hostel pays homage to the site’s history by continuing the tradition of showing movies every night under the stars. All rooms are air-conditioned and there is a BBQ, swimming pool and tour desk offering a full range of discount backpacker tours to see West MacDonnell Ranges, Uluru (Ayers Rock), Kings Canyon and more. The hostel staff can also organise , camel rides, day trips to the local wilderness or longer tours with local Aboriginal guides for a unique insight into the culture and history of Uluru and its original inhabitants.

This hostel in Port Douglas in North Queensland received the Developing Sustainable Communities award from Douglas Shire Council for its success in fostering land biodiversity, energy efficiency and waste management. The 4 green star eco-lodge uses 32 solar collectors on the roof and an insulated tank farm to power all its hot water, a process which produces no carbon dioxide or greenhouse gases. Water usage has been cut by 40 per cent and water waste reduced by 60 per cent thanks to specially fitted taps, low floor shower fittings and low energy appliances.

The hostel relies on wind energy for public and outdoor lighting and its managers are committed to continue developing the hostel to be environmentally sustainable. It also runs two shuttle buses, which run on a bio diesel blend made locally from the hostel’s waste cooking oil, to transfer guests daily to and from Cairns. And it has reduced waste to landfill by an impressive 60 per cent.

The hostel has comfortable facilities and a superb location close to the beach, ideal for boat trips to The Barrier Reef.

Byron Bay YHA deserves a mention as the first to be funded under YHA’s Carbon Reduction Program. Its solar panels were installed to reduce its dependence on gas to heat water and it is expected to yield a 20 per cent saving in carbon emissions. Savings from reduced energy costs are put back into YHA’s Carbon Reduction Fund to buy and generate other renewable energy sources.

Situated 400 metres from unspoilt beaches, Byron Bay is a ‘must-see’ destination on the east coast of Australia, just south of Brisbane, with its natural beauty and perfect sub-tropical climate. For those who love to surf, or would love to learn, Byron Bay is the ideal location, and there is also kayaking with dolphins, year-round snorkelling and whale-watching on offer from June to November.

Alternatively, guests can enjoy spectacular walking or cycling only minutes from the hostel. The there are countless daytrips into the hinterland or unforgettable to hippie trips to Nimbin! Apart from the area’s idyllic beaches and famous surfing spots, it offers unspoilt rainforest, secluded waterfalls and a great town with some superb shopping, markets and nightlife. There are a range of bars nearby and you can play the pokies (barefoot bowls) at the Byron Bay Bowling Club or chill out on the mattresses at the Pighouse Flicks cinema.

For more information about YHA Australia, visit www.yha.com.au .