Super sustainable tourist accommodation opens in central Otago

The country's most sustainable tourist accommodation has been opened in Central Otago.

It's been funded by an American couple who are keen to protect the environment, and inject the profits back into the community.

It's a campground of the future - meeting the toughest sustainability standards in the world.

The accommodation has seven cabins, two bunk houses and several solar-powered sites.

Everything is recycled, constructed using material from old wool sheds and even recycled timbers from demolished buildings after the Christchurch earthquake.

"So when you go in to our buildings they'll feel like they've been there for a while - they won't feel new or modern or focused on high technology," said co-owner Debbi Brainerd.

They are in fact brand new, fitted out with all mod cons and composting toilets that are expected to save around 300,000 litres of water a year.

The camp is installed with the latest technology, aimed to not only accommodate, but educate as well.

"[There are] tablets in each room so there's an ability for the guest to actually interact with the building themselves," co-owner Paul Brainerd explained.

"So when they adjust their shower times, it'll show the impact of water usage on an annual basis."

The accommodation has been built south of Queenstown in Glenorchy - an area that is paradise for the North American couple who have funded the multi-million dollar project.

Any profits made are injected straight back into a trust set up for the community.

"This is our way of giving back to this community of Glenorchy. We both feel privileged and able to give back, and able to give back through our time and resources," said Mr Brainerd.

"They've come to New Zealand with a dream: they just want to give something back to the world - this is really special," said Queenstown Mayor Jim Boult.

It's a rare gem leaving its mark on the Queenstown Lakes District - but not on the environment.

Newshub.

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