About Yaraandoo

Yaraandoo Eco Lodge is a place where people and nature become one. Nestled amidst the World Heritage listed New England National Park and Cathedral Rocks National Park, it offers state-of-the art accommodation and conference facilities in a peaceful bush setting.

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An earth-inspired, well-equipped facility with 19 rooms; Yaraandoo accommodates up to 40 people including overnight travellers, families, corporate groups and special interest groups. It is an ideal escape for team building, family functions and weddings.

Our Vision

That Yaraandoo continues the cultural legacy of the Serpentine area as a central meeting ground between three regions; supporting practices that regenerate their landscapes and communities. That Yaraandoo deepens its impact as;

• An inclusive place where carers of local people, landscapes and cultures can heal
• A place that supports a local community of regenerative practice
• A place that supports Aboriginal led initiatives

Meet The Team

Environmental Design

Yaraandoo is unique because it was created in accordance with stringent environmental guidelines. From site selection and building materials through to waste water management and power, the entire complex is designed to combine optimum use of resources with minimal impact on local pristine ecosystems.

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The selection of building materials was governed by minimum impact, optimum energy usage and recycling guidelines. All waste from the facility, both organic and liquid, is treated on site, via an eco-waste system. Yaraandoo is an outstanding showcase of ‘best practice’ environmental design, engineering, construction and management. As such, it has been honoured with three awards:

2005 National Telstra Business Awards
2002 State Tourism Award for National Eco-Tourism Excellence
2000 National Award for Environmental Design

Features of the building include:

Use of recycled timbers from Waterfall Way bridges dismantled during road upgrades.

Non load bearing walls of rammed earth construction which incorporate decomposed granite and other materials excavated on site. Thermal conduction properties of this earth-based material serve as natural insulation, minimising the need for cooling and heating.

Use of locally sourced handmade mud bricks for internal feature and some external walls, which again offer preferred insulation properties.

Solar passive design parameters guided positioning and layout of the main building to achieve maximum heat exposure through the use of glass roof panels which direct the sun’s heat onto rammed earth walls.

Use of hydronic water heaters in bedrooms.

Soundproofing natural straw mat ceilings.

On-site back up gas-powered generator which is capable of providing all required electricity.

Under and above ground collection tanks for the storing of rainwater.

Our Location

Yaraandoo is located at Point Lookout, amongst the World Heritage listed New England National Park and Cathedral Rocks National Park. The Point Lookout area consists of ancient Gondwana rainforests and is part of the Ebor Volcano, which erupted eighteen million years ago.

A great deal of history and knowledge is lost to the area; which remains a meeting place for ceremony between three Nations; Dunghutti, Gumbaynggirr and Anaiwan. Yaraandoo ensures that the place’s historical role is not lost, by remaining a meeting place for those in each of these unique bio-regions; particularly the New England, Mid-North Coast and North Coast.

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Yaraandoo is an Indigenous word translated to mean, ‘meeting place, between two rivers, under the Southern Cross.’ Its boundary is guarded by the Serpentine River and Barwick Creek.

Weather

Yaraandoo enjoys very diverse weather patterns. Situated at an elevation of 1278 metres above sea level, visitors can enjoy a region of special character and a climate much cooler than the coast. It hosts cool moist winters and wet summers (warm days – cool nights).

Wet Summers: January mean maximum temperature of 26.7 degrees Celsius. Enjoy the comfort of low humidity and cool nights.

Cold moist Winters: July mean minimum temperature of 0.2 degrees Celsius. Snow is not uncommon. Annual rainfall: 900mm.

Getting to us

Yaraandoo is approximately a 45 minute drive from Armidale and Dorrigo; 2 hours from the Coffs Coast and 6 hours from either Sydney or Brisbane. It is located 500 metres off the beautiful Waterfall Way (Highway 78) and is serviced by fully sealed access roads. Daily air, rail and road services are available from major centres to Armidale and Coffs Harbour, where a bus service can be provided.

In the Area

Located in a tranquil setting, Yaraandoo is surrounded by natural bushland, offering eight kilometres of graded bushwalks and safe access to a wide variety of different habitats and eco-systems. The land was likely travelled through and utilised as a meeting place by three Nations; the Dunghutti, Gumbaynggirr and Anaiwan. Yaraandoo is an Indigenous word translated to mean, ‘meeting place, between two rivers, under the Southern Cross.’ It ensures that the place’s cultural role is not lost, by remaining a meeting place for those in each of these unique bio-regions; particularly the New England, Mid-North Coast and North Coast.

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