Peter Gash

Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort

Lift the heart

The Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort team’s mission draws visitors who want to make a difference from across Australia and the world.

Operated by Peter Gash, his family and remarkable team since 2005, this island once left barren by guano mining, is being returned to its former glory. Through extensive restoration activities, Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort is an important site for seabird nesting and is known for an amazing array of spectacular marine life and unspoilt coral reef. The introduction of renewable energy has meant massive reductions in the need for diesel and the associated greenhouse gas emissions. The island is on track to be fuelled by 100% renewable energy.

Peter’s vision for Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort is to showcase this magnificent jewel of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and to keep its access and visitation costs at a level that all people can afford to visit and experience its wondrous natural beauty.

“Our business is booming because people want to come to one of the best places on the reef. We gave to the island and it’s giving back to us.”

Peter is regularly asked for tips from other tourism and island operators and is happy to provide advice to broaden the reach and benefits, believing that the more you give, the more you receive.

“A rising tide floats more boats. The more people on this positive path will help protect the planet for our children.”

Grow community

Looking after our people sits alongside the environment as Peter’s core values and is number one from the perspective of making the business run successfully. His belief is that if he treats people well, they will do the same with him. He derives a great deal of personal satisfaction from the positive work environment and staff morale that this creates. The staff are considered part of the family, not simply workers so Peter puts his money where his mouth is and strives to provide them with the best possible work conditions and wages.

“We get buy-in from our team because of our passion and our shared values for the environment, and also by looking after them. Our crew have more commitment if you empower them to make changes.”

“It feels like a family, I know all their names, what’s going on in their lives.”

Peter’s goal is that Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort will be a far better version of itself in terms of technology and levels of sustainability.

“We’ve got to keep striving to be better, minimising our footprint, maximising the education and experience.”

Care for the environment

The driving force behind the business is a commitment to saving the island, reef, country and planet. Peter sees himself, family and partners as custodians, caring for the island and marine environment and educating and empowering people to fall in love with and protect its natural beauty. Their focus is “to minimise his environmental footprint and maximise the visitor experience”

Guests to the island are asked to commit to a Sustainability Pledge to make a difference and protect and preserve the island’s ecosystem. Together with the range of eco-activities and behind the scenes tours, guests learn about the need to respect and preserve nature and are inspired and enthusiastic to be drivers of change in the future.

“Our guests are curious, enquiring and wanting solutions. They inspire me.”