Faraway Bay Media Kit / Environmental Sustainability

Faraway Bayprovides guests with a rare Kimberleywilderness experience by ensuring environmental care and sustainability is amajor priority.

Faraway Bay is abenchmark property in the Kimberleywith strategies and practices leading the way in nature-based low impacttourism.

Stringent regulationsdesigned to maintain the integrity of the wilderness environment were appliedduring the development phase of Faraway Bay and many highlyrestrictive regulations continue to direct the day-to-day operations.

Pristine Location and High Conservation Value

Faraway Bay is located on high conservation value land that hasbeen recommended for future inclusion into the Western Australian conservationestate.

Development of the facilityhas been carefully planned with input from the Western Australian EnvironmentalProtection Agency, the public and a range of interested government agencies aspart of the public environmental review process.

A number of recommendationsresulted from this process, including a bank surety to ensure funds are alwaysavailable for the purpose of environmental rehabilitation work.

Annual monitoring visits to Faraway Bay are undertaken by appropriategovernment officers to ensure the objectives of the proposed conservation areaare not being compromised and operations are being conducted in accordance withsound environmental management practices.

The Built Environment

• The developmentwas planned to ensure minimal clearing of native vegetation with only one buildingrequiring site earth works. These techniques ensure the site could berehabilitated easily if required.
• Buildings areset amongst undisturbed natural vegetation connected by simple gravel tracks,with two natural walking tracks to the beaches. A single-track connects thecamp and airstrip. All constructionblends into the surroundings - passing boats cannot see the camp at all.
• The use ofcement has been limited and natural materials substituted wherever possible.
• Whereverpossible, recycled building materials or plantation produced timber were used,which has minimised the resource utilisation footprint of the development. Themain building has made extensive use of timber salvaged from the Wyndham Wharf. The use of recycled materials,demonstrates architecturally pleasing structures are possible usingenvironmentally friendly construction techniques. It also gives the camp itsauthentic Kimberley'feel'.
• Open plan designallows natural cooling.
• Natural timbersrequire no painting.

Sustainable Resource Use

• Water is gravityfed from a natural fresh spring.Limitedguest numbers protects overuse of this resource.
• All landscapingis natural - no use of irrigation.
• Water is solarheated for guest showers.
• Solar lightsilluminate pathways.
• Office is mainlyelectronic and paperless - paper used is recycled.
• All firewood isderived from the airstrip clearing and from trees blown over in storms.
• Soaps andshampoo supplied to guests and washing powder are all bio-degradable.
• Biodegradableproducts are disposed of in a trench and regularly covered with soil.
• Tins are crushedand stockpiled with other non combustible rubbish for return to Wyndham.

Natural Environment Protection

• Low guestnumbers, restricted access and use of guides minimises impact on habitat.
• Wildlife isobserved from a distance and not followed or approached.
• To maintain atrue wilderness experience for guests - noisy work is conducted, and washing ishung on the line while guests are away.
• Prior to the'wet' season erosion control structures are placed on tracks to minimiseerosion and removed after the wet.
• Helpful Hints incabin ask guests to be mindful of: keeping luggage closed so they don't takehome any little inhabitants; placing all litter in bins - including organiclitter; the practice of releasing fish on fishing trips after one or two havebeen caught for the table; to not collect shells along the beach but rather toleave them there for others to enjoy; for smokers to ask for a sand tin and tonot flick ash or butts into the bush. All buildings are 'smoke free'.

Environmental Stewardship

• Due to theremote and 'uncharted' nature of the location, Faraway Bayfacilitates and sponsors environmental and archaeological research to monitorand maintain flora, fauna and significant sites in the area. Much of theresearch conducted in this harsh environment would not be possible without thesupport of Faraway Bay Bush Camp as a base for the researchers.
• The camp's staffassist with recording scientific data for the area. Guide Steve identified 84of the 140 species of birds for researchers and discovered many newarchaeological and rock art sites.
• In 2007 guidescommenced the Noahs Ark Project - the aim of which is to fence off 25km2 ofpeninsular including Faraway Bay's Leasehold and twoislands to create a refuge for natural species against the advance of the CaneToad.It is envisaged that this refugewill also be used to help repopulate areas destroyed by the toad's advance.
• Faraway Bay has also built in to the tariff a levy providing $10,000 worth of support this year for ongoing environmental and archaeologicalresearch.

Working with Local and Indigenous communities

• Faraway Bay and research partner Kimberley Specialists workclosely with local aboriginal spokesperson Ju Ju Wilson who regularly visitsthe camp and is available as a guide for tours.
• Trained guidesare with guests at all times during activities, giving information and adviceon local flora, fauna, bush tucker, ancient rock art sites and other sites ofsignificance.
• Comprehensivereference material on local flora, fauna and rock art is provided in Lodge.

Privacy Policy