Bill and Christine Tainsh unveil Gooloowaa at their Eumarella Shores eco retreat.

Geoff Potterna

A NOOSA Lake couple say the Sunshine Coast comes a distinct second to its glitter strip coast rival for its number of significant eco-tourism accommodation houses.

Eumarella Shores’ retreat owners Bill and Christine Tainsh, who officially opened their new eco cottage yesterday, said the region fell behind the Gold Coast hinterland in terms of motels, resorts and retreats adopting a significant conservation objective.

Mrs Tainsh said this was despite more visitors appreciating the need for such style of accommodation.

“I don’t think there are very many options in this area compared to the Gold Coast hinterland, especially in the Noosa area,” Ms Tainsh said.

The Tainsh’s new luxury five-star lakefront eco-venue, Gooloowaa, is located on 20 hectares of state government-protected paradise.

The eco-haven is the product of recycled materials with natural earth walls and tree canopy ceilings. Waste water treatment is conducted on site, according to Mrs Tainsh, to protect the nearby Lake Weyba waters.

“Our family have lived here for 40 years with a heavy focus on the preservation of the flora and fauna,” Mrs Tainsh said.

“We are very much of the philosophy that you can include low-impact tourism into the environment without the two being at odds.”

Mrs Tainsh said Gooloowaa, an indigenous Kabi Kabi word for rising moon, will host a variety of unique groups over the coming weeks. These including a science fiction writers retreat.

“The venue is very exclusive and when it was built there was a collaboration of ideas and philosophies between Bill and I that led to its creation.”

Gooloowaa can host between two and six people in the three-bedroom and two-bathroom retreat.

Prices start from $695 for a two-night weekend in the eco-venue, which is one of 11 cottage style accommodation houses at Eumarella Shores.