Sustainabilty at Kangaroo Ridge Retreat
One Ridge. One Planet.
Discover how our commitment to the environment enhances your stay in the Yarra Valley.
Our Commitment to Sustainability
At Kangaroo Ridge Retreat, we care deeply about our place in the world and the impact we have on it. That’s why we’re working to make our business more sustainable, so future generations can enjoy the same beauty you experience here.
Our retreat sits in an environmentally significant location in the Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia, where bushfires, biodiversity, and land health are all closely connected.
We’re not looking away. We’re taking action.
Victoria is one of the states already feeling the real effects of climate change. Increased fire risk, unpredictable storms, and shifting weather patterns are part of our everyday landscape now.
We know we’re not perfect, but we’re making changes that matter. From clean energy to waste reduction, we’re finding better ways to operate — thoughtfully, responsibly, and always with this unique landscape in mind.
Why We Are Doing This
Kangaroo Ridge Retreat is located in an area affected by climate change. We’re surrounded by native bushland that’s vulnerable to longer, more intense fire seasons. Instead of debating the cause, we’re focusing on action.
We offer a space where people can reconnect with nature. Protecting that nature is simply part of what we do.
What We’ve Done So Far
Solar Power
Currently, 32 panels of solar power our operations and feed clean energy back into the grid.
Rainwater Harvesting
We collect and utilize 185,000 litres of rainwater for all our water needs, promoting water conservation and sustainability.
Natural Materials
Each cabin is constructed using locally sourced, sustainable materials that blend seamlessly with the environment.
Wildlife Conservation
Our retreat supports local wildlife through habitat preservation and eco-friendly landscaping practices.
Energy-Efficient Design
Our cabins feature energy-efficient designs that maximize natural light and reduce energy consumption.
Improved Waste Separation
With everything guests need supplied on site, we know the our waste production inside and out. All supplies it can easily be separated general waste, recycling, glass and organics.
Hiring Local
We hire and train local staff, and our third-party suppliers are vetted and chosen for their local base and sustainable practices.
Joined the TERC Program
We’ve joined the Tourism Emissions Reduction Commitment and completed a full emissions audit. Our baseline is 44.5 tonnes of carbon per year. Signing on publicly is one way we ensure transparency.
Being Honest
We are transparent about the challenges and the fact that we are learning, adapting, and making changes based on local solutions we find.
What We’re Working On
Supply Chain Emissions
We prioritise hyper-local sourcing wherever possible, starting with our own community. From there, we’re taking a hard look at who we buy from.
Cutting Waste
We’re aiming to cut waste by half and eliminate single-use plastics.
Moving Away From Gas
We’re working on replacing gas with electric options for cooking and hot water. A solution that is suitable for our unique location and set up.
Adding Electric Vehicles
We plan to transition to EVs over the next five years.
Land Management
We use a herd of goats to help manage the land by keeping invasive weeds down and reducing bushfire risk. We are slowly moving them around the 55 acre property and paddocks.
Becoming Grid Independent
We’re looking to add batteries and renewable backups so we can rely less on the grid.
About the Challenges
How you can help
As a guest, you’re part of this too. While you’re staying with us:
- Travel light and choose the local produce and products featured in your cabin
- Use the in-cabin bins to separate waste
- Be mindful with water and electricity use
- Skip the supply run: we’ve got it all in cabin
- Give us feedback. We welcome ideas and questions
About Travelling Light
One of the easiest ways you can help our sustainability efforts is to travel light. No need to make a last-minute stop for supplies or drinks because everything you need is already here.
Our food and beverages are carefully sourced from local producers, keeping food miles low and supporting our community. We’ve also set up local waste solutions that allow us to handle the leftovers and packaging responsibly. When you bring your own, we can’t always do the same.
Please don’t BYO food or alcohol. This isn’t just about convenience, it’s one of the most effective ways we can cut emissions and reduce unnecessary waste. If you have dietary needs, we’ve got you covered with thoughtful local alternatives. You’ll also find a not so mini Larder stocked with unique, regional selections that go beyond the usual fare.
By letting us take care of it, you’ll experience the best of the Yarra Valley without the extra baggage.
Energy Independence
One of our major infrastructure long-term goals is energy independence. This sits along-side with our hyper-local supply chain footprint as one of our core strategies
We are located at the end of the line, literally. Our remote location is vulnerable to power outages, especially during summer heat and increasingly unpredictable storms. While we believe in contributing to the shared power network, we also know we need to be resilient.
We’re investing in battery storage and renewable backup systems that will allow us to continue operating smoothly, even when the grid fails. This not only supports reliable guest experiences but also future-proofs our operations against climate-driven disruptions.
Energy independence allows us to better manage our usage, store excess solar power, and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. It’s a practical solution for our location, and a crucial step toward long-term sustainability.
Being Honest About the Challenges
We don’t shy away from the hard truths. Our emissions are currently higher than the industry average. That’s partly due to our remote location, reliance on backup systems, and the logistics required to operate in a less-connected part of the world. Access to infrastructure that’s readily available in metropolitan areas, like advanced recycling, EV charging networks, and low-impact freight, is limited. Indeed as we welcome more guests, our emissions also increase.
We’re also navigating the realities of being a working business with real operational demands. That means balancing guest expectations with the environmental responsibilities of running accommodation deep in the bush.
And yes, we’re proud to say we share our ridge with many native locals—wombats, echidnas, kangaroos, and even a few that aren’t conventionally cute. We take their presence as a reassuring sign we’re doing something right. Avoiding harsh chemicals helps us keep the local ecosystem in check. So, if a harmless huntsman spider occasionally shows up, we take it as a sign of a healthy home, and a little reminder that they live here too.
But none of this is a reason to give up or slow down. These are the conditions we operate in, and we use them as motivation and to find creative solutions. We’re facing them head-on, asking questions, gathering data, refining our systems, and learning as we go.
This is a journey, and we’re committed to making better choices with each step forward.
Explore Our Eco-Friendly Retreat
Discover the Yarra Valley's Natural Beauty
Experience Sustainable Luxury
Join us at Kangaroo Ridge Retreat for an unforgettable escape where luxury meets sustainability. Book your stay today and immerse yourself in the serene beauty of the Yarra Valley.
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