Siesta Park Holiday Resort is an ECO Nature Tourism accredited business. This reflects both the natural features of our property and the efforts of management and guests over many years to protect and respect our beautiful environment.

We’re proud to care for the natural environment around us and to continue looking for simple ways to reduce emissions, conserve resources and minimise waste. Here are some of the things you may notice during your stay, along with a few ways you can help.

Western Ringtail Possums

Siesta is home to a healthy population of Western Ringtail Possums, an environmentally threatened species.

During the day, they sleep in their stick nests, known as dreys, so please don't disturb them.

At night, they come out to feed on the leaves of our peppermint trees. You're welcome to walk around the property and look for them by torchlight. They're quite shy and rarely come close to people.

Native Wildlife

Siesta is also home to many native birds and other wildlife, including:

• Wattlebirds
• Butcherbirds
• Magpies
• Blue Wrens
• Bronze-winged Pigeons
• Several species of parrots
• Tawny Frogmouths
• Ducks
• Small bats
• Large native black skinks

Our resident ducks spend time on the wetland during winter and spring and can often be seen around Siesta and along the beach at other times.

Small bats can often be seen flying around the floodlights at night as they catch insects. Our large native black skinks are also quite common and can sometimes be mistaken for snakes when their tails disappear into a woodpile or the bush.

Marine Life

Geographe Bay is home to a wonderful variety of marine life, and you might be lucky enough to see some of it during your stay at Siesta.

Dolphins can sometimes come surprisingly close to shore, and you may also spot pelicans and other seabirds along the beach and around the jetty. Keep an eye on the water when you're swimming, walking along the beach or relaxing on the shore, as you never know what might make an appearance.

The calm waters of Geographe Bay are also home to a variety of fish and other marine life, which can often be seen in the shallows and around the jetty.

Please enjoy observing marine life from a respectful distance and avoid disturbing or feeding animals.

Our Peppermint Trees

Our tall peppermint trees are an important part of the Siesta environment.

They provide habitat for many bird species and their leaves are the staple food of our Western Ringtail Possums. Their extensive canopy also helps keep the accommodation and grounds cool and shaded during summer, while providing shelter from winter storms.

The peppermint trees are also a big part of what gives Siesta its character and beauty throughout the year.

We plant numerous peppermint trees and coastal shrubs each year to help replace ageing trees as they eventually reach the end of their life.

Our lawns are watered and fertilised during summer, which also helps support the health of peppermint trees growing nearby.

What We're Doing

We're continuing to invest in practical initiatives around the property to improve environmental conditions and reduce our emissions and waste.

These include:

Solar power
Our photovoltaic (PV) system generates some of our electricity when the sun is shining. Any excess electricity generated is supplied back into the Western Power grid.

EV charging
We installed four EV charging stations in 2023 to support guests travelling with electric vehicles.

Energy-efficient lighting
We have now converted nearly all of our lighting to highly efficient LED lighting.

Heat pump hot water
Heat pumps are the main type of hot water system used throughout our accommodation, significantly reducing our electricity demand.

Keeping Your Stay Sustainable

One of the simplest ways to reduce your environmental impact while staying at Siesta is to make use of the natural environment around you.

Our shady grounds, sea breezes and the calm waters of Geographe Bay can make it possible to enjoy your holiday without relying heavily on air conditioning.

On hot days, you can help keep your unit cool by:

• Closing windows, doors and curtains while the unit is cool in the morning to keep the heat out.
• Spending time outside in the shade or on the verandah.
• Swimming in the ocean during the warmer part of the day.
• Opening windows when the temperature starts to drop and the sea breeze comes in.

In winter, closing curtains at night and keeping doors and windows closed helps retain heat, allowing heaters to be used at a modest setting.

There are also plenty of easy ways to help reduce water use, energy consumption and waste during your stay, just as you might at home:

• Take reasonably short showers.
• Separate your recyclables and use the recycling bins provided.
• Turn lights off when they're not needed.
• Turn heaters down or off when they're not required.
• Avoid burning firewood unnecessarily or excessively.
• Walk around the park where possible rather than moving your car.

Small choices by lots of guests can make a meaningful difference.

Thank You for Helping Us Care for Siesta

We hope you notice some of the things we do to care for the environment during your stay.

By choosing to stay at Siesta, you've already made a simple and sustainable choice. We really appreciate guests who help us protect the natural environment and keep our approach to holidays simple, relaxed and sustainable.