Lush luxury stays on the Bouddi Peninsula achieve national ECO Certification

In late May 2024, world-class Bells at Killcare Boutique Hotel, Restaurant & Spa, and Pretty Beach House, located on the edge of Bouddi National Park on the NSW Central Coast, successfully joined the world-leading ECO Certified sustainable tourism community. The team have been working toward this milestone since joining the program in 2023, demonstrating their best practice in sustainability and ecotourism to support the Central Coast's ongoing commitment as a certified ECO Destination since 2022.

As one of Australia’s most distinctive coastal resorts and exclusive luxury lodges, you can now book a green gastronomy getaway to bathe in Hampton’s elegance surrounded by the Aussie bush, dine in their garden-fed kitchen, soak up native flora-inspired spa treatments - all while contributing to sustainability.

It’s official – they’re certified and in the global Green Travel Guide!

All ECO Certified businesses are measured against the global Green Destination Standard. This means Bells at Killcare now have an ongoing commitment to sustainable tourism practices and cultural authenticity in what they do.

Achieving ECO Certification status for their business means that staying as a guest with Bells at Killcare or Pretty Beach House guarantees you're part of a genuine and authentic tourism experience that looks after the environment, rather than harming it. As one of the 23 nature-focused businesses currently championing the Central Coast’s ECO Destination journey to grow sustainable tourism in our region, we couldn't be prouder of this exciting accreditation awarded by Ecotourism Australia for efforts of the Bells at Killcare team.

Read on to find out the details of how ECO Certification best practice is now a key part of the guest experience. Going 'eco' is a long-term labour of love, and this green accolade is just the start of an ongoing journey…

There’s a long list of sustainability initiatives taking place every day at Bells at Killcare, so for a taste here’s some of the highlights we thought were most impressive for future guests.

Kitchen gardens + visitor tours

The Bells team have built up the kitchen gardens into more than 500 square metres of land now cultivated for food, with more than 15% of the restaurant menu coming directly from this garden. In addition to the onsite kitchen gardens, approximately 40 chickens keep their kitchen well stocked with fresh eggs. Bells also host monthly Garden Tours with their Head Horticulturist who educates the community and guests on the business’ Sustainability values and key garden features. Book ahead for just $15 per person, which includes a coffee/tea and pastry from the on-site Bells Bakery.

Food waste to fresh compost in 24 hours!

To save food waste from rotting in landfill, Bells has adopted a CLOSED LOOP Organics Commercial Composter system that uses microbes and heat to transform kitchen food waste into nutrient-rich soil in 24 hours. Food waste is added from the kitchen throughout the day, keeping the process continuous and easy, with the compost unloaded weekly. Roughly 260kg of food waste goes through the machine per week!

Guests donate to combat our climate crisis

As part of their Ecotourism Certification journey, Bells at Killcare discovered and partnered with Groundswell, who fund and power strategic climate action by pooling donated money and distributing it into several grants to then give to hard-working organisations tackling the climate crisis in Australia. Bells simply ask guests when booking their stay if they'd like to make a small, voluntary contribution to Groundswell.

🔔 From 2023 measuring, monitoring and reporting on emissions usage across the property

🔔 2x Electric Vehicle car charging stations onsite

🔔 New luxurious Lodges have solar installed, heating the magnesium pools

🔔 Two lush vegetable gardens nourished by rainwater, harvested daily by a Horticulturist, forming the basis of the Chef’s menu

🔔 Adopt the “nose to tail’ principle in the kitchen, whereby wastage of produce is minimised

🔔 Small orchard, including olive trees and quince trees, with rose petals used in homemade sorbet

🔔 Chemical and preservative free wine available

🔔 Purezza water system minimising plastic bottle waste

🔔 Coffee sourced from a local company less than 20km away and tea less than 10km away

🔔 Toilet paper made from bamboo and delivered plastic free

🔔 Day Spa uses NSW company, iKOU, products - not tested on animals, organic where possible, vegan friendly, palm oil free and socially responsible.

🔔 Slippers in rooms and Day Spa made from entirely renewable resources and natural materials and 100% fully compostable

🔔 Welcome to Country ceremony and guided walks with local Aboriginal guide, Girri Girra Aboriginal Experiences, available in special packages, conferences and over NAIDOC week.

🔔 The team support three children from World Vision Australia each month since opening in 2007.

Bells at Killcare Boutique Hotel, Restaurant & Spa in Killcare Heights is surrounded by the stunning Bouddi National Park, nestled on the Central Coast’s Bouddi Peninsula in New South Wales. Since opening in 2007, Bells at Killcare has grown to now feature 25 boutique cottages and suites, and four nature-inspired luxe lodges. Guests instantly step into nature, with the resort sprawling over an acreage of manicured grounds, established native flora, gentle streams and lake, with a few smaller ponds to meander around. The luxurious Bells Day Spa is also a haven for guests to de-stress and relax, unwind and enjoy while feeling surrounded by nature.

Pretty Beach House is Australia’s most exclusive luxury lodge. With just four beautifully appointed pavilions, and a 90-minute drive north of Sydney, the lodge sits high above the coastal village of Pretty Beach, nestled into the wilderness of Bouddi National Park, one of the most popular parks in New South Wales. Staying at Pretty Beach House is an incredible chance to unwind among the gum trees, be pampered in luxury, indulge in delicious seasonal dishes expertly paired with fine wines, and return home rejuvenated and re-energised.

Both properties are located in Killcare Heights on the spectacular Bouddi Peninsula with many coastal bushwalks to explore including the well-established Bouddi Coastal Walk. A swift 20 minute ferry from Sydney’s famous Palm Beach, or a 90 minute drive north on the M1 from Sydney (follow Tourist Drive 33 to make your trip super scenic).

Book your Bouddi by the sea experience with any of the following:

• Bells at Killcare Boutique Hotel, Restaurant & Spa
• Bells at Killcare The Lodges
• Pretty Beach House
• Bells Day Spa
• The Wild Flower Bar & Dining
• Bells Bakery & Larder

Bells at Killcare are also the sixth successful Central Coast business to achieve their ECO Certification as a participant on the ECO Operator Incentive program, supported by Destination Central Coast, as part of the region’s wider ECO Destination program. This grows the Central Coast’s total number of ECO Certified operators to 8, with another 15 current applicants on their sustainability journey.

Huge congratulations to Bells at Killcare for promoting sustainable practices on the Central Coast of New South Wales! We expect to hear more about their contribution to respectful, nature-based experiences in future as their business continues to lead the way for luxury accommodation, dining and indulging in nature.

Get to know more about Bells at Killcare by visiting their dedicated Love Central Coast page, and finding out about what’s on at their resort.

Discover more about ecotourism on the Central Coast by wandering over to explore our destination guide to Ecotourism.