MAJOR MILESTONES FOR ECO-RESORT

AN OTAGO ECOLOGICAL RESORT HAS CHALKED UP SOME MILESTONES SINCE OPENING ITS DOORS TO VISITORS AND LOCALS IN MARCH LAST YEAR

Camp Glenorchy, tucked into the base of two mountain ranges near the head of Lake Wakatipu, is on track to exceed its selfimposed net-zero energy goal. The scenic site looks likely to generate five per cent more energy than it uses this year, courtesy of its vast array of solar panels and sophisticated energysaving and heating systems.

In the past 18 months, staff have given thousands of free tours to show locals, and domestic and international guests the retreat’s extraordinary sustainability and artistic features.

And, by the end of this year, the facility will have gifted more than $30,000 to the township’s charitable trust. Trust proceeds have already helped fund everything from gymnastic mats at the local school to petrol for the volunteer district nurse who drives herself the 46 kilometres to Glenorchy from Queenstown each week.

The accommodation complex runs the gamut from cabins with bunk beds to selfcontained luxury and incorporates a general store, shared kitchen, meeting rooms and some exceedingly lofty design principles and goals. These include striving to be New Zealand’s most sustainable visitor accommodation and then showcasing its success in environmental, community and financial terms. The property was developed by American philanthropists Debbi and Paul Brainerd, who have ensured all profits will go to the Glenorchy community, population 350 or thereabouts.

Glenorchy Hotel publican Tim Brownie is adamant the neighbouring business has had a positive impact on his town.

“It’s fabulous,” he says. “It’s created good infrastructure. I know they’ve provided all sorts of things for the school and the community, and the eco things they’re doing are fantastic.”

Tim says the camp sends its guests to his hotel for meals, while he encourages hotel guests to visit and tour the site. “It’s a drawcard. It has brought a different type of four- or fivestar visitor to Glenorchy. It’s employing locals, and the locals go there and do yoga, and they have a meeting room people can use, with all the facilities.

“It’s visionary, ahead of its time. It’s a community project we’re very lucky to inherit.”

Already this year, the eco-retreat has picked up sustainability awards from two national tourism industry organisations — one award celebrated innovation, the other excellence in visitor experience. When presenting the first award, Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) advocacy manager Steve Hanrahan dubbed Camp Glenorchy “the Rolls-Royce of sustainability”.

Both awards made mention of the camp’s commitment to the Tiaki Promise, a tourismindustry initiative that encourages travellers to care for the people, places and culture of New Zealand while visiting.

Hardly surprising, given the Brainerds’ stated aim of ensuring every aspect of design, construction and operation makes “the world a better place”.

All profits go to the Glenorchy community, population 350 or thereabouts.

Built with locally sourced and re-used materials as well as state- of-the-art sustainable technologies, Camp Glenorchy is designed to connect guests with nature as well as each other. Hundreds of original artworks are on display throughout the site, drawn from the talents of local and New Zealand-wide artists. Guests and community members enjoy programmes such as regular yoga classes, talks by local and visiting experts, movies, readings and workshops held onsite throughout the year.