Warrnambool welcomes eco-friendly retreats

New eco-friendly accommodation is on the way to Warrnambool. It will create a sustainable stay by the sea and provide more reasons to visit Victoria's southwest.

Works are beginning on YumaKiah Coastal Retreat. They are 3 eco-friendly luxury accommodation retreats supported by the Regional Tourism Investment Fund.

The property is a short 10-minute drive from central Warnambool along Victoria’s famous Great Ocean Road. This project will bring more visitors to the area by providing a premium accommodation option. It will also boost capacity for local events and attractions.

Designed to blend into the natural environment, the luxury retreats will offer stunning, uninterrupted views of the Southern Ocean and surrounding farmland.

Accommodating up to 4 people, the retreats will have a strong focus on sustainability by:

• operating off-grid
• being powered by renewable energy
• construction will focus on protecting the natural environment throughout the build.

It's estimated that YumaKiah Coastal Retreat will welcome up to 864 guests annually. Each visitor will stay approximately 2 nights each, resulting in an additional average spend of close to $700,000 in the region per year.

The project is expected to create 28 jobs during construction, and job opportunities on completion through ongoing operations. It will provide a boost to the visitor economy by supporting indirect job creation through local food and wine supplier partnerships.

Forecasting suggests visitation to Great Ocean Road will reach 8.6 million visitors by 2026-27. This includes 3 million overnight visitors.

We're proud to support accommodation options on the Great Ocean Road like YumaKiah Coastal Retreat and the recently opened Eco-Safari tents at the Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve.

Both projects are supported through Victorian Government investment in tourism infrastructure. This is to provide visitors with more reasons to explore our state and increase their length of stay.

For more information about what to do on your next trip on the Great Ocean Road, see the Visit Great Ocean Road website.