Staycations are great for the body and soul, our finances and the environment. People globally are discovering the benefits of sustainable staycations – a way to have a break without the environmental and financial cost of airline travel. Most probably don’t have the luxury we do of living in and near such iconic natural and cultural sights. We are so lucky to live within the unique Noosa biosphere with its rich diversity of beaches, rainforests, wetlands, mountains, rivers and lakes with so much to enjoy and cherish in our very own backyard.
Aviation contributes about 2% of the world’s global carbon emissions, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This may not sound a lot, but for an individual a few flights a year can markedly increase their personal footprint. In addition, as our on-land energy becomes more renewable, and with the number of airline passengers predicted to double within the next 15 years, aviation’s proportion of global emissions will rise.
Locals Jenny Clement and Andrew McNee, recently experienced the stunning beauty of Cooloola National Park spending 5 days hiking the Great Cooloola Walk. Starting at Rainbow Beach they trekked and camped with friends, finishing back in Tewantin. “Walking home to our own front door on a holiday was a strange but rewarding experience,” said Jenny. “We’d walked all the way from Rainbow Beach. The last day the Noosa Headland and beaches drew nearer and nearer, adding to our sense of accomplishment at having walked close to 90 kilometres.”
“Crossing the Carlo Sand Blow and then the larger Cooloola Sandpatch was up there as some of the top experiences. With it’s surreal shaped driftwood logs and long wispy clouds in a stark blue sky, crossing the Sandpatch was like melting into a Salvador Dali painting,” Andrew added “but the reflections at sunrise and sunset on the black waters of the Noosa Everglade was the icing on the cake for me.”
Hiking and camping isn’t everyone’s idea of a holiday but there are so many ways to enjoy Noosa’s natural beauty with varying comfort levels. For instance, trips to visit Hinterland towns can unlock new attractions and hidden cafes and restaurants, whilst also helping support local small businesses.
Staycations can also lessen the holiday costs and stress. This includes the hours spent planning accommodation and transport, lost time in transit and waiting at airports, navigating unfamiliar currency exchanges, or packing and re-packing for different climates. The relaxation is immediate!
If each of us swaps the occasional overseas or interstate holiday with a vacation closer to home, we are doing our bit to reduce harmful emissions and we can save on travel costs and stress. For families these impacts are multiplied. A family of four travelling in one car has a much smaller carbon footprint than the same family travelling on a long-haul flight.
The duo’s next planned getaway will be further afield, and outside of the Noosa Shire. Although not technically a ‘staycation’ as they plan to stay in Queensland, travelling up to Cairns and Townsville on the Spirit of Queensland train. “A sleeper on the train is a similar price to flying but we get to experience the scenery and vastness of the Queensland east coast. Can’t wait!”
Zero Emissions Noosa (ZEN) Inc. is committed to reducing local emissions and works closely with Tourism Noosa on many of our projects.
Are you interested in finding out more or joining Zero Emissions Noosa Inc.? Go to www.zeroemissionsnoosa.com.au
