Red Mill House has been awarded Advanced Ecotourism Certification from Ecotourism Australia.

The Advanced Ecotourism category is described by Ecotourism Australia as “Australia's leading and most innovative ecotourism products, providing an opportunity to learn about the environment with an operator who is committed to achieving best practice when using resources wisely, contributing to the conservation of the environment and helping local communities.”

To gain this certification Red Mill House has met specific criteria in the following categories:

Business Management and Operational Planning: Red Mill House has met the criteria of legal compliance, a sound Business and Marketing Plan, documented Operational Management and Business Systems, Customer Service standards, and Risk Management procedures.

Business Ethics: Red Mill House has proved that it follows ethical business practices such as accepting a commitment to best practice ecological sustainability, natural area management and the provision of quality ecological experiences.

Responsible Marketing: Red Mill House’s marketing provides accurate and responsible information about the environments visited. The two websites www.redmillhouse.com.au and www.daintreebirdwatching.com.au have extensive information of the Daintree flora and fauna, with a focus on birds and is an accurate depiction of what guests may expect.

Customer Satisfaction: The experience at Red Mill House meets or exceeds the realistic expectations of guests, and feedback is sought and acted upon. Feedback on travel forums such as Trip Advisor is extensive.

Natural Area Focus: Red Mill House focuses on guests directly and personally experiencing the natural environment. Guests are given local Daintree bird species lists and detailed information on location for best birdwatching. Guide books, binoculars and telescopes are available for guests use. Local tourism products such as interpretive centres, self-guided and guides rainforest walks, and river cruises are discussed with guests. A comprehensive brief on the Daintree National Park and World Heritage area is given to all guests.

Environmental Management: To achieve best practice environmentally, Red Mill House participates in the Going Green Biz initiative to calculate the business’s carbon footprint and to implement measures to reduce it. Working with guests and suppliers to minimise the use of energy, fuel and water and to improve recycling practices, Red Mill House has set a target of an annual reduction in greenhouse emissions of 10%.

Interpretation and Education: Red Mill House offers expert information on the wildlife of the Daintree and maintains a weekly bird list for the area, plus a bulletin board for unusual sightings. Guiding is also available.

Contribution to Conservation: By an ongoing contribution of $2 every day to the Rainforest Rescue to Protect Rainforests Forever Program, Red Mill House has helped the organisation to purchase and protect the 10th property in the Daintree.

Working with Local Communities: Red Mill House has a strong relationship with Daintree State School - taking the children for interpretative walks, donating nature books to the library, assisting with fund-raising and helping to co-ordinate the calculation of the school’s carbon footprint. Local produce is used whenever possible and a ‘buy locally’ policy exists. Red Mill House encourages guests to support local businesses, and cards and books by local authors and artists are for sale.