Queensland, Australia - ecotourism honeymoon resort

For those wanting to be near the water on their honeymoon, there's another face to eco-tourism in this corner of Queensland at Couran Cove, Australia's newest island resort which opened in September 1998.

Situated on one of only 15 sand islands in the world, South Stradbroke Island, the resort was developed by the 1960's world track star Ron Clarke for the Interpacific Group.

Told that "You can never retain environmental purity and develop a large resort," Ron's response was "Never say never". Now the resort has won an honorable mention in Conde Nast Traveler's 2000 Ecotourism Awards and highly commended status in the British Airways Tourism for Tomorrow Awards 2000.

The resort proudly displays its energy, water and waste management programs and has regenerated the native vegetation. The wildlife has prospered as a result with healthy populations of rare wallabies (like small kangaroos), native frogs and butterflies.

There's an elevated boardwalk through the section of Livistona Rainforest which is very peaceful and quite private. This leads to the Melaleuca wetlands with its distinctive paperbark tea trees. Or take guided walks looking at Australian "bush tucker" or nocturnal animals. There's even a kayak tour of the mangroves where the guide will explain how the indigenous inhabitants lived.

The Australian eco-tourism experience provides something different to simply lying in the sun. But if that's what's wanted the surf beach is only a couple of kilometers away, and the resort has all the usual swimming pool amenities.

If being pampered is the idea then there's the Spa and Total Living Center offering massage, beauty and hair treatments.

Though many couples come here on their honeymoons after being married elsewhere, facilities do exist to get married on South Stradbroke Island, on the beach, in the park or in the Mangrove Chapel.

There is a choice of accommodation styles from luxury waterfront apartments to nature cabins tucked away in a bush setting. Privacy in the banksia forest. Sports facilities include water sports such as jet skiing, parasailing, windsurfing and land based ones like the rock climbing wall, tennis and 100m sprint track or something quieter like lawn bowls or the turf putting green. But the couple who want to stay close can always get around the island on a "bicycle built for two".

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Article copyright © Bruce Holmes
More information on Bruce Holmes, Internationally published Australian freelance travel writer and photographer. He can be contacted about commissioned travel articles and photography at bruce@bruceholmestravel.com