Kellys Beach Resort is all about connecting – to each other and to the natural beauty of the Bundaberg region. It’s a delightful place for families, who can relax in one of the 40 self-contained eco-villas set on lush resort grounds. Each villa can sleep between five and seven in an immediate family, making the resort a great-value option for parents of larger tribes looking for a relaxed beach escape. The wide range of facilities including pools, a tennis court, games room and restaurant can keep families entertained onsite. However, they’re likely to be drawn out for a short stroll along bushland paths by the stunning surf and sand of nearby Bargara.

Thinking Green

Nestled on a creek, just a block back from the beach, Kellys Beach Resort gained eco-certification through EcoTourism Australia in 2015. Internationally recognised, this certification allows guests to relax in the knowledge that the resort is doing everything it can to protect the natural beauty of the Bundaberg coastline and the waters of the Southern Great Barrier Reef while they holiday.

Loni Hammond, who helps run this family-owned business with her mother and sister, moved to Bundaberg 18 years ago. She was immediately struck by the beauty of the region and a desire to protect the natural resources at the heart of Bundaberg life. “We have a real sense of responsibility, as business owners, to do our bit to promote the conservation of how beautiful it is here,” she says. So, the family embeds caring for the environment into every aspect of their business, reducing their carbon emissions by 35% over the past 8 years as a result.

While Kelly’s reduces their energy, waste and water use behind the scenes, they also ask guests to ‘Think Green’ wherever they can. At several touchpoints guests are invited to make a positive difference during their stay. At the point of booking, guests are invited to plant a tree with Kellys through Greenfleet. At the rubbish bin, guests can contribute to Containers For Change and recycle in a way that provides money to the local Sea Turtle Alliance organisation. Loni says the key is connecting with guests and working together to make an impact. “It's us doing it together (with guests) that brings about positive, sustainable change,” Loni says. The response from guests is overwhelmingly positive: “It's almost expected that we are providing something back. There’s a lot of people who thank us for what we are doing!”

Eco-cleaning keeps waterways clean

Nothing is more important to guests than checking into a clean and tidy room. Kelly’s keeps their eco-villas clean and green by avoiding harsh chemicals that can build up on surfaces. German-designed fibreglass cleaning cloths and bicarb-based cleaning products keep the villas sparkling for guests. Not only are such methods beloved by asthmatics and people who can’t tolerate fragrances, Loni says this approach leads to a superior clean. “It actually breaks up dirt and germs rather than just putting a chemical on top of it, which more germs stick to!” she says. However, it’s not just good for guests. This kind of cleaning helps protect the waterways that flow into the Southern Great Barrier Reef. “A lot of the water goes straight out to that creek. So the less chemicals there are, the better!”

With Kellys Beach Resort committed to thinking green, guests can have peace of mind knowing that while they are relaxing in the natural beauty of Bundaberg and the Southern Great Barrier Reef, Kellys is doing everything they can to protect it.

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