The Country House at Hunchy is an accredited Australian Tourism Industry Council Sustainable Tourism (SUST) property. We are dedicated to making positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage by embracing diversity and minimizing negative social, economic and environmental impacts. We believe and follow the mantra of “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.”

At The Country House at Hunchy, sustainability is woven into our operations, guest experience, and community contributions. Our initiatives include:

Environmental: The Country House at Hunchy is dedicated to minimizing any impacts to the environment by being good stalwarts of our land and the surrounding environment.

• Solar Energy + Battery Storage: We power the property with 60 solar panels and newly integrated battery storage, reducing grid reliance and emissions while boosting energy resilience.

• Water & Energy Efficient Suites: We harvest rainwater, recycle grey water for irrigation and supplement both with bore water when the need arises. Both guest suites feature low-flow fixtures, spa-style amenities with reduced environmental impact, LED lighting, and smart energy timers

• Surrounding Grounds & Environment: We are members of the Land for Wildlife and Gardens for Wildlife, a voluntary property registration scheme to help conserve and manage wildlife on our property and contribute to the conservation of unique Australian native plants and animals. The Homestead has been a part of the scheme since 2018 and upon purchase of the property we sought to continue the relationship. Our Wildlife Officer came to the property early in 2024 and walked the nearly twelve acres discovering some endangered species of plants and an additional strip of pristine rainforest which was previously unknown. We were very excited to hear the news and employed some local hinterland experts to clear out the areas where invasive species of plants have started to encroach and we’re working diligently to maintain unspoilt forested areas, prioritising planting of native flora and undertaking regular invasive environmental weed management. Our Wildlife Officer is helping us develop a personalised plan for our land which will be a continuous “work in progress.” We are dedicated to restoring our property to as close to a pristine rainforest possible in our lifetime. We install Native Wildlife Nesting Boxes each year. We create our own mulch with a chipper for the gardens from downed tree branches on our land.

• Local Sourcing & Circular Economy Support: Over 95% of our renovation and development spend was invested locally, engaging 25 regional trades and reducing transport-related emissions.

• Waste Reduction: We minimise single-use plastics, use durable materials, and prioritise locally sourced, reusable, or recyclable products in guest amenities and packaging. Cloth napkins, china plates, and glasses are provided for our guests in both the main dining room as well as in their suite. Every item we use can be washed and reused.

  • We recycle cans and bottles at the local Containers for Change facility.

  • We limit use of paper by receiving bills by email when available.

  • We recycle one-sided printed paper by cutting it and reusing it as note paper.

  • We minimize paper use by utilizing QR codes for weekly café hours and other printed materials if possible.

  • We use Epson Eco Tank Printers as a sustainable solution for our printing needs. It uses refillable bottles instead of cartridges eliminating cartridge production, shipping, and end-of-life disposal. 

  • We do not one-use shampoo, conditioner, or body wash. Instead, we purchase large 500 ml bottles which can be refilled.

  • We are cognizant of the need to reduce food waste and employ several means to accomplish this including:

    • Planning all meals

    • Creating a shopping list

    • Checking the fridge and pantry before we shop

    • Checking date labels

    • Watching weekly specials to get the best deal when shopping

    • Storing food correctly in the pantry, freezer and fridge

    • Freezing food

• Environmentally Safe Products: We use only “Natures Organics” Earth Choice cleaning products which are:

  • Sourced from nature reducing chemical waste, pollution, plant derived actives, and free from Ammonia, Chlorine, and Phosphates

  • Grey water, Septic Safe with low sodium

  • Recycled, Recyclable bottle made using 100% recycled plastic

  • Cruelty free, not tested on animals, and CCF accredited

  • Australian made and owned

  • In lieu of using floor cleaning products, we use a Euroflex Vapour Sanitising Floor Steamer that kills 99.9% of germs on contact. This system uses washable super absorbent microfibre floor pads, along with the thermostat control, making it energy-efficient, and reduces water consumption.

• Community Engagement: The Country House at Hunchy is committed to supporting the local community by only purchasing fresh local produce and organic meats from vendors in our area. Our Plans, Procedures Manual contains our Preferred Supplier/Contractor List which we use prior to hiring or purchasing. Upon request, we design specialty Gift Hampers which we populate with only local products including coffee, chocolate, honey, and hand-crafted items from Montville. We include business cards or pamphlets from each business, so our guests can try the products and hopefully return to those businesses to purchase other items. Upon entering our front door, we also offer our guests information on local businesses including pamphlets, business cards, and special offers. We include vendor information in our Guest Information Books in each room.

  • We are volunteers assisting with the annual not-for-profit Rangebow Festival. The purpose of the festival is to demonstrate through positive messages that the festival themes are integral to the wellbeing of a cohesive community valuing everyone and their contribution individually and together. We believe in the themes of the festival which include a focus on diversity, inclusion, sustainability and reconciliation. 

  • Terri is an Executive Board Member on the Montville Chamber of Commerce

  • Teresa is an Ambassador at the Montville Visitor Information Center

  • Steve volunteers as Santa Claus at the Mapleton Light the Lights event.

  •  We are also members of the Montville Village Association (MVA), which is a not-for-profit organization that serves the Montville, Flaxton, and Hunchy communities. They represent the local community in planning and development forums conducted by local and state governments.

  • We are very active with the local Hunchy Community Association at the Old Hunchy Schoolhouse.  

• Inclusive Tourism Practices: Our approach includes accessibility improvements, inclusive language, diverse representation in experiences and materials, and ongoing cultural sensitivity efforts.

• Ethical: We have an Acknowledgement of Country on our website. We also support indigenous owned businesses when possible. Currently we purchase our bath care products for Yaye. Yaye is an 100% indigenous owned, Australian company that creates a unique Aboriginal bath and body range made with bush medicine ingredients that are ethically sourced from the cellular extracts of plants native to Central Australia. Their products are ethically sourced, not tested on animals, contain no parabens, alcohol, or formaldehyde, and arrive in recyclable packaging.

Together, these initiatives reflect our deep commitment to responsible tourism—enhancing guest experiences while creating lasting, positive impact for our environment and community.