
15 Eco Retreats for a Greener Escape
Escape to the serene beauty of Australia and New Zealand while indulging in sustainable luxury and eco-friendly experiences. These carefully curated resorts and slow living retreats not only offer a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life but also prioritize sustainability and environmental responsibility. From breathtaking natural landscapes to thoughtfully designed accommodations, each destination on this list is committed to minimizing its carbon footprint, supporting local communities, and providing guests with unforgettable experiences that align with their values of eco-conscious living.
1. Bay of Many Coves Resort - NZ
Instagram | @bayofmanycovesresort
Address | Queen Charlotte Sound, Private Bag 382, Picton 7250, New Zealand Google Maps
Reservation | Website
Contact | +6435799771
Nestled in the pristine Marlborough Sounds, this eco-friendly resort is renowned for its commitment to sustainability. From solar-powered accommodations to locally sourced cuisine and active involvement in marine conservation initiatives, Bay of Many Coves offers guests a chance to immerse themselves in nature while treading lightly on the planet.

2. Paperbark Camp - AU
Instagram | @paperbark_camp
Address | 571 Woollamia Rd, Woollamia NSW 2540, Australia Google Maps
Reservation | Website
Contact | +61244416066
Experience glamping at its finest in the enchanting Jervis Bay area of New South Wales. Paperbark Camp combines luxury tented accommodations with eco-friendly practices such as composting toilets, rainwater harvesting, and organic farm-to-table dining. Guests can unwind in harmony with nature while supporting the camp's dedication to environmental stewardship.

3. Aro Ha Wellness Retreat - NZ
Instagram | @aroharetreats
Address | 33 Station Valley Rd, Wyuna Rise, Glenorchy 9372, New Zealand Google Maps
Reservation | Website
Contact | +6434427011
Embrace the art of slow living at this wellness retreat nestled in the Southern Alps of New Zealand. Aro Ha focuses on holistic wellness and sustainability, offering yoga, meditation, and outdoor adventures amidst breathtaking mountain scenery. With off-grid accommodations, organic plant-based cuisine, and a commitment to zero waste, Aro Ha provides a sanctuary for mindful living.

4. Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat - AU
Instagram | @crystalcreekrainforestretreat
Address | 201 Booka Rd, Upper Crystal Creek NSW 2484, Australia Google Maps
Reservation | Website
Contact | +61266791591
Tucked away in the lush rainforests of Queensland's Gold Coast hinterland, Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat offers guests a chance to reconnect with nature in a sustainable manner. Featuring eco-friendly lodgings, including architecturally designed cottages and treehouses, this retreat promotes conservation efforts and offers guided rainforest walks and wildlife experiences.

5. Hapuku Lodge + Tree Houses - NZ
Instagram | @hapukulodge
Address | State Highway 1, Kaikōura 7371, New Zealand Google Maps
Reservation | Website
Contact | +6433196559
Situated on a deer farm in Kaikoura, Hapuku Lodge is renowned for its stunning treehouse accommodations and commitment to sustainability. From locally sourced cuisine to energy-efficient design and active involvement in community initiatives, Hapuku Lodge offers guests an eco-conscious escape amidst the beauty of New Zealand's South Island.

6. The Landing - NZ
Instagram | @thelandingnz
Address | 609 Rangihoua Road, Te Tii 0294, New Zealand Google Maps
Reservation | Website
Contact | +64 9 300 3685
If you're seeking an unforgettable place to stay in New Zealand, The Landing in the Bay of Islands is a destination like no other. Set amidst stunning landscapes where white-sand beaches meet native forests and vineyard-covered hills, The Landing offers four luxurious private Residences, each designed with privacy, comfort, and natural beauty in mind. Whether you're waking up to the sound of birdsong in the wetlands or enjoying a glass of estate-crafted wine overlooking the ocean, every moment here feels deeply connected to the land and its rich heritage. With world-class food, immersive cultural experiences, and even the chance to spot a kiwi under the stars, The Landing is more than a stay — it's an experience that captures the essence of Aotearoa.

7. The Headwaters Eco Lodge - NZ
Instagram | @the_headwaters_eco_lodge
Address | 42 Oban Street, Glenorchy 9372, New Zealand Google Maps
Reservation | Website
Contact | +6434090401
The Headwaters Eco Lodge is nestled in the heart of New Zealand's South Island, near the picturesque town of Queenstown. Featuring eco-friendly cabins, sustainable design, and solar energy, this eco lodge invites guests to immerse themselves in nature while minimizing their environmental impact.

8. Daintree Ecolodge - AU
Instagram | @daintreeecolodge
Address | 3189 Mossman Daintree Rd, Daintree QLD 4873, Australia Google Maps
Reservation | Website
Contact | +61740986100
Discover the wonders of the Daintree Rainforest at this eco-friendly lodge located in Far North Queensland. The Daintree Ecolodge is dedicated to preserving the natural environment through sustainable practices such as rainforest regeneration, renewable energy usage, and support for indigenous communities. Guests can explore the rainforest, learn about local culture, and unwind in harmony with nature.

9. Chalet Eiger - NZ
Instagram | @bayofmanycovesresort
Address | 534 Gillespie Place Acacia BayTaupō Waikato 3385, New Zealand Google Maps
Reservation | Website
Contact | +64 7 378 6441
Perched above Lake Taupō, Chalet Eiger is a five-star boutique lodge where warm hospitality and sustainability go hand in hand. Owned by Peter and Nina since 2017, the lodge offers a relaxed, home-like atmosphere with thoughtfully sourced meals, cosy interiors, and a charming trio of resident pets—two dogs and a cat—who can be kept away if needed. Certified Gold by Qualmark, it’s a stay that’s both luxurious and low-impact, with solar-efficient systems, on-site gardens, and a focus on local produce. Whether you're here for a romantic escape or a quiet break, Chalet Eiger blends comfort, character, and genuine Kiwi hospitality.

10. Mangarara Eco Lodge - NZ
Instagram | @mangararathefamilyfarm
Address | 298 Mangarara Road, R D 2, Otane 4277, Central Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand Google Maps
Reservation | Website
Contact | +06-8584343
Tucked into the serene hills of Central Hawke’s Bay, Mangarara Eco Lodge offers a peaceful retreat where sustainability meets comfort. Overlooking the tranquil Horseshoe Lake and surrounded by native bush, the lodge invites guests to slow down—enjoying fresh garden meals on the timber deck, collecting eggs from the mobile hen house, or relaxing by the fire in a thoughtfully restored space built from repurposed materials. Sleeping up to 17, the lodge blends rustic charm with eco-luxury, featuring wool bedding from local farms, upcycled furnishings, and solar-powered systems. As part of a working regenerative farm and education centre, Mangarara lets visitors connect with the land while exploring Hawke’s Bay’s food, wine, and cycling trails. It’s a restorative stay for those who value nature, simplicity, and purpose.

11. Southern Ocean Lodge - AU
Instagram | @southernoceanlodge
Address | 298 Mangarara Road, R D 2, Otane 4277, Central Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand Google Maps
Reservation | Website
Contact | +61 2 9918 435
Perched on the rugged limestone cliffs of Kangaroo Island, Southern Ocean Lodge is Australia’s most celebrated luxury wilderness retreat—rebuilt and reimagined after the 2020 bushfires. With uninterrupted views of the wild Southern Ocean and immersive access to iconic landscapes like Flinders Chase and Seal Bay, the lodge offers an extraordinary blend of refined design, world-class dining, and deep connection to nature. Twenty-five contemporary suites stretch along the coast, while the exclusive Baillie Pavilion crowns the clifftop for the ultimate private escape. Guests can explore native wildlife on bespoke guided excursions, relax in the clifftop spa, and enjoy seasonal menus showcasing local produce and South Australian wine.

12. Saffire Freycinet - AU
Instagram | @saffirefreycinet
Address | Saffire Freycinet, 2352 Coles Bay Rd, Coles Bay Tasmania Australia Google Maps
Reservation | Website
Contact | +61 3 6256 7888
Nestled in Tasmania’s Freycinet National Park, Saffire Freycinet is a luxury eco-retreat that blends elegant design with the raw beauty of nature. Overlooking Great Oyster Bay and the Hazards Mountains, this all-inclusive lodge offers just 20 suites, each immersed in the surrounding landscape. Guests can explore coastal trails, encounter Tasmanian devils, or taste oysters straight from the sea—all while enjoying sustainably sourced cuisine and low-impact luxury. With curated itineraries like Nature’s Narrative and Ultimate Saffire, Saffire offers a deeply restorative escape where conservation and comfort go hand in hand.

13. Arkaba - AU
Instagram | @arkabaconservancy
Address | Flinders Ranges Way, Hawker, South Australia 5434, Australia Google Maps
Reservation | Website
Contact | +61 2 9030 6312
In the ancient heart of South Australia’s Flinders Ranges, where ochre-streaked cliffs rise from a sea of golden grasses and the silence is broken only by the rustle of emus or the distant cry of eagles, lies Arkaba—a former sheep station transformed into one of Australia’s most compelling conservation lodges. This is not luxury in the traditional sense. It’s something far rarer: immersion, purpose, and profound beauty wrapped in the comfort of a restored 1850s homestead and the intimacy of just five guestrooms. Whether waking to kangaroos at your doorstep or walking the land on a guided four-day expedition—where Wi-Fi disappears and the soul reawakens—Arkaba offers a glimpse of wild Australia, healing and alive. Every stay supports a rewilding project that is quietly, powerfully returning nature to itself. Come here not just to escape, but to witness a living restoration—where the past is honored, and the land writes its next chapter.

14. Kittawa Lodge - AU
Instagram | @kittawalodge
Address | 1272 South Rd, Pearshape TAS 7256, Australia Google Maps
Reservation | Website
Contact | +61 43796202
On a windswept bluff where the sea carves endlessly at the edge of the world, Kittawa Lodge emerges like a whispered secret—untamed, understated, and utterly extraordinary. Set on 96 private acres of wild coastal beauty on remote King Island, this off-grid haven is more than a luxury retreat; it’s an invitation to surrender to nature’s rhythm and rediscover solitude as a rare privilege. Named Australia’s best resort by Condé Nast Traveller in 2023, Kittawa Lodge offers two exquisitely designed lodges, where every detail—from the handpicked Tasmanian wines to the view-framing floor-to-ceiling windows—has been curated to quiet the mind and stir the soul. There is no reception here, no passing traffic—only the presence of red-necked wallabies and the hush of wind through coastal heath. Whether you arrive to write, to love, or to simply be still, Kittawa transforms isolation into something luminous. For those who seek not just luxury but meaning, this is the far edge of the map—and the beginning of something unforgettable.

15. Capella Lodge - AU
Instagram | @capellalodge
Address | Lagoon Rd, Lord Howe Island NSW 2898, Australia Google Maps
Reservation | Website
Contact | +61 299184355
Perched on the wild, breathtaking shores of Lord Howe Island, Capella Lodge is the ultimate barefoot escape—where luxury meets untouched nature. With just nine suites overlooking turquoise reef and soaring peaks, Capella offers a deeply personal connection to this World Heritage-listed wonder. Days unfold with guided hikes, reef snorkelling, and island-inspired cuisine crafted from local produce. Evenings bring cocktails on the terrace, ocean views, and starry skies. Seamlessly blending sustainability, serenity, and style, Capella Lodge isn’t just a place to stay—it’s a rare invitation to experience paradise, intimately and consciously.

These eco-friendly resorts and slow living experiences offer the perfect blend of luxury, sustainability, and connection with nature, making them ideal destinations for environmentally conscious travelers seeking meaningful experiences.