It has been a busy time for Childers Eco-lodge owners Vanessa and Rhys Kummerow as the region is still in the height of mango madness with many workers flat tack picking and packing.
The couple began the hostel with a focus on providing a free placement service to both farms and backpackers on a work holiday visa, because while local farms have a base level of local staff, it is often important during busy times to be able to top up with backpackers.
When they opened their purposed designed and built facility in October 2013, Vanessa and Rhys had returned from running adventure tours in South America, and were looking to stay in the industry, especially considering Vanessa has a background in tourism research, environmental management and accommodation operations, and Rhys in tour driving and hospitality.
Vanessa said when visiting family in Bundaberg they became aware of the huge need for accommodation for backpackers doing fruit picking.
“Many discussions later, we came up with the concept to do it differently by designing and building a country hostel,” she said.
“Plenty of space, country living, animals, wildlife, and sustainability at the heart of it, paired with a transparent and honest work placement service on local farms.
“We started with 26 beds, and have added buildings and facilities as the business has grown and now includes a gym, games room, movie room with tiered seating, and beer garden with fire pit.
“There is also a football pitch, volley ball net, dam and bushwalk.”
Vanessa highlighted that for herself and Rhys, over the years they had built relationships with the farms and a reputation for providing reliable happy workers.
“It’s is nice to see our startup philosophy of happy home life = happy workers has been recognised by the farms who come to us first when they need casual workers.
“It is remarkable to see considering we initially opened with 26 beds, that we now have staged growth to operating at capacity of 61 guests at peak times which are generally January to August with the main crops being lychees, mangoes and avocados.”
Childers Eco-lodge often get comments from workers that they have thought of everything when it comes to the accommodation with a maximum four bed dormitory, large kitchens and dining areas, allocated fridge and kitchen space, ovens and free washing machines and lines to dry clothes.
Given the name, it is no wonder that sustainability is a priority at Childers Eco-lodge with an aim to recycle the majority of waste generated on the property and when it comes to water usage collect rainwater off the rooves and treat it by UV filtration for drinking and household use and also have greywater treatment for water generated from showers, washing machines and taps.
“We pride ourselves on having a homely feel with Mango the hostel dog greeting everyone.
“Childers Eco-lodge is also family as we live onsite with our three children who can sometimes be found challenging the backpackers to ping pong or joining in football matches.”
For more information, visit the website at childersecolodge.com.au
