Sustainability and Accessibility

Architecture

Kingfisher Bay Resort was consciously designed and built to integrate with its unique natural environment. Trees and plants were relocated to an onsite nursery before construction commenced, and later used in landscaping when the resort was complete. The resort’s main buildings float on 1600 pylons sunk to a depth of 16 metres, which creates a unique system for buildings to shift with the natural sand movements. Design features such as high curved ceilings in the main resort complex provide for a cool atmosphere, removing the need for air-conditioning, with louvres opened in summer to allow natural cooling.

Renewable Energy

Kingfisher Bay Resort is focused on developing renewable energy efficient initiatives, making efforts to move towards renewable energy, including research into a solar farm to offset emissions.

Room Service

As part of our Conservation Program, guests can actively contribute to sustainability efforts by reducing unnecessary laundry services, which helps minimise carbon emissions and water consumption associated with washing linen.

Single-use Plastic Free

We are aspiring to be single use plastic free at Kingfisher Bay Resort under our dedicated waste management initiative.

Current steps to reach this goal:

• All our takeaway containers and takeaway coffee cups and lids are 100% biodegradable.
• Use of bamboo takeaway cutlery and napkin/bags provided are 100% biodegradable.
• Eliminated single use plastic bags from the Village Store and reusable cloth bags are available for purchase

Waste Management

Kingfisher Bay Resort has a continued focus on reducing waste. With limited services provided by the government on K'gari (Fraser Island), the team at the resort now internally manage all composting and recycling, saving 60 tonnes from landfill per quarter.

Reusable Toiletries

Single-use plastic toiletries are not available at the resort, with each hotel room and villa fitted with refillable dispensers. In-room toiletries include environmentally-friendly shampoo, conditioner, body wash, moisturiser, hand soap and shaving gel.

Dedicated Recycling Team

All waste is collected by our team and taken to our waste management centre for sorting. Recyclables are checked to ensure all items meet processing requirements. Once packaged, items are transported to the mainland for processing.

On-Site Composting

Shredded office papers and kitchen preparation scraps are turned into rich compost in the onsite worm farm and then used to grow herbs for the kitchen. This ultimate recycling process has its own interpretive signage you can discover on our Ranger-Guided Eco Walk.

Reducing Paper Consumption Via Apps and Functionality

Paperless booking systems and the increased adoption of screens and apps within the resort have provided an opportunity to reduce paper consumption. Our What’s On Guide was previously printed on a weekly basis and can now be found readily on hotel televisions and through the Kingfisher Bay Resort app.

Kingfisher Bay Resort offers exceptional wheelchair accessibility throughout the resort’s grounds ensuring guests with mobility challenges can relax in comfort and enjoy the natural wonders of K’gari.

Resort Accessibility Features

Accessible Accommodation: Kingfisher Bay Resort offers specially designed rooms that ensure comfort, convenience, and accessibility for guests. These rooms include roll-in showers with grab bars and all the comfort a guest would expect from a four-star resort.

Easy Navigation: The resort grounds are designed with smooth, ramped pathways and step-free access to key facilities, including reception, restaurants, the Island Day Spa, swimming pools, and public restrooms.

Transportation: Our ferry, shuttle service, and resort vehicles are wheelchair-friendly, allowing you to travel comfortably and safely to the resort. Additionally, we can assist in recommending tours and activities around the resort and on K’gari that are suitable to people with mobility challenges.

Dining and Leisure

Accessible Dining: Enjoy delicious meals in our accessible restaurants and bars. Our staff are trained to assist guests with special needs, ensuring a comfortable dining experience at all dining outlets including four bars and three restaurants. Outdoor seating areas are also accessible, which offer an enjoyable atmosphere and immerse guests in the native foliage.

Exploring K’gari

Recreation and Activities: Our Ranger-guided walks and talks can be tailored to meet the needs of guests with mobility challenges, ensuring everyone can participate in the adventure.

4WD Tours: K’gari is formed entirely from sand. To visit the iconic landmarks and bucket list locations, guests require a small amount of mobility to board the tour coaches and walk on unpaved, sand walking tracks.

Personalised Support

Our friendly and knowledgeable staff are always on hand to assist and support. Whether you need help with specific accessibility requirements, planning activities, or any other aspect of your stay, we are here to ensure your experience is memorable and stress-free.

Call our friendly reservations team to hear more about your trip to accessible paradise.

We have formed and continue to foster long-term community connections, with a shared focus of conserving K'gari (Fraser Island) for future generations, through education initiatives and supporting sustainability programs.

University of Sunshine Coast, Fraser Coast Regional Council and Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation
The K’gari Discovery Centre is a cultural endorsement for enhanced environmental awareness and conservation efforts on K'gari (Fraser Island). Research and decades of historical documents, reports and photographs have formed the first stage of this initiative. This is a joint initiative funded by the University of Sunshine Coast (USC) and Kingfisher Bay Resort, with support from the Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation and Fraser Coast Council. The centre is located at the Kingfisher Bay Resort Village Store Complex and open 24 hours per day.

University of Sunshine Coast
Teaming up with the next generation of world changers, USC students and researchers from multiple campuses use our accommodation and resources to get around the island and conduct vital ecological research.

Fraser Island Natural Integrity Alliance
FINIA (Fraser Island Natural Integrity Alliance) is a community-based partnership dedicated to protecting K'gari World Heritage Area's natural integrity, ecological assets and unique beauty through collaborative management, community education and targeted rehabilitation work. SeaLink K'gari's long-term support to FINIA and its members has assisted with the delivery of multiple projects and initiatives.

Kingfisher Bay Resort supports a full-time continuing undergraduate student enrolled in Bachelor of Business (Tourism, Leisure and Management) at USC Fraser Coast. This support is provided through a bursary aimed to assist with the student's studies and progression in the tourism industry.

We also partner with Australian local businesses to source products and services that contribute to a healthy local economy. Plus, we regularly engage a minimum of 47 local contractors for resort projects.

As part of a commitment to having a positive social impact, Kingfisher Bay Resort works with and supports a number of charities based in the Fraser Coast and greater regions.

Kingfisher Bay Resort’s longest-standing initiative is supporting local charities for over 20 years through a biannual long lunch event, including a charity auction. Our dedicated team organise and host each event, with our last event raising $14,500 for Hervey Bay Sunrise Rotary Club.

Other Charities we have supported through this initiative, include:

• Hervey Bay Sunrise Rotary Club: $14,550 raised in June 2022
• Forget Me Not Australia Limited: $14,310 in November 2021
• So Brave Young Women's Breast Cancer Charity: raised $17,000 in June 2021
• RACQ LifeFlight: $16,200 raised in November 2020
• Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre's Comfort Kitchen
• Variety Australia
• Beyond Blue

This commitment extends to supporting charitable organisations year-round, as Kingfisher Bay Resort also provides prize donations for events and fundraisers to assist with charity auctions, door prizes and recognition for volunteers.

Our team passionately support volunteer services within the Fraser Coast community, volunteering as members of committees and volunteer services that are associated with the preservation of K'gari and the health of our valued guests. Several of our team volunteers for the Rural Fire Brigade and firefighting base at Kingfisher Bay Resort.