Environment & Sustainability

Yering Gorge & surrounds

Guests can discover the 12km of bushwalking trails within our 120-acre private nature reserve which provide panoramic views of the surrounding Yarra Valley when reaching the summit.

We are very proud of our natural environment and strive to maintain Yering Gorge Cottages as close as possible to its purest form. We encourage you to take photos and leave only footprints.
Our private nature reserve is home to Eastern Grey kangaroos, echidnas and wombats - providing guests with a rare opportunity to get up close and personal with some of Australia’s most iconic wildlife. Occasionally spotted is our ‘rare’ white kangaroo which is a genetic strain of the Eastern Grey.
The kangaroos are the natural stars of our show and enjoy the natural surroundings in the early morning and late afternoon. They will generally move when approached by humans but we would ask you not to chase, endeavour to secure selfies, or attempt to feed them.
The Gorge is also home to 80+ species of native bird life including Eastern and Crimson Rosellas, Sulphur-Crested Cockatoos, Kookaburras, Rainbow Lorikeets, different species of Grass Parrots, several owl species, Kingfishers and nesting pair of Wedge Tail Eagles.
The Yering Gorge section of the Yarra River is approximately three kilometres in length and is home to many native fish species including the Macquarie Perch together with several breeding Platypus families – a very rare sighting opportunity with platypus seldom seen in their natural environment - their existence an indication of the healthiness of the River and natural surrounds.
Yering Gorge is also home to many species of native flora.
Sugarloaf Reservoir was developed by Melbourne Water during the late 1970s to help supplement Melbourne’s domestic water supply. Unlike many other reservoirs, which draw their water directly from protected forested catchments, Sugarloaf is fed by the Maroondah Aqueduct and Yarra River via the Sugarloaf Pipeline. Upon leaving the reservoir, water is treated at the Winneke Water Treatment before distribution to Melbourne.
With a philosophy to create an environment that would be in harmony with the broader landscape, The Eastern Golf Club commissioned Greg Norman Golf Course Design (GNGCD) to design the 27-hole championship standard course, plus Shark Waters – our 9-hole, Par 3 course. Recognised as an industry leader in promoting the compatibility of golf courses with the environment, Norman’s ‘least-disturbance approach’ design philosophy has created a course that is complementary to the existing topography whilst ensuring the spectacular natural features and dramatic views are maximised to enrich the playing experience.

Unfortunately, our private nature reserve and bush walking trails are not open to the public unless prior approval has been provided.

Sustainability initiatives

Yering Gorge Cottages' is strongly committed to supporting the local community and economy - using local businesses and, wherever possible, showcasing Yarra Valley produce within the range of cottage amenities that our guests enjoy during their stay.

Providing local employment opportunities within our Guest Services, Housekeeping, Administration, Food & Beverage and horticultural departments.
We are proud to work with a number of locally based companies, suppliers and tradespeople who supply ancillary services essential to the successful operations of Yering Gorge Cottages.
Wherever possible we source produce from within the Yarra Valley, supporting our local food and wine artisans which, in turn, assists our local community economically and through job creation whilst reducing our food mileage.
Undertake collaborations with, and promotion of, local tourism operators and experiences to encourage our guests to support locally owned businesses whilst staying.
Use of refillable 300ml eco-friendly bathroom amenity pump packs within all cottages and public areas.
Unless requested, bed linen and towels are only refreshed for stays of four nights or longer.
The placement of a digital compendium in each cottage provides us with the environment to communicate immediately with our guests without disturbing them, allows guests to order hampers and request guest amenities outside of our Reception opening hours and significantly reduces our paper usage and the need to laminate.
All cottages are equipped with key card systems ensuring energy is only consumed when occupied.
Recyclable materials including paper and plastics are collected for recycling.
All cottages are linked to a septic tank system with all liquids filtered through a sub-surface irrigation system and used onsite within our nature reserve.

Environmental objectives

Prior to its development into a golf course, the area was previously farmed and it is our desire to redevelop the natural feel and beauty of the site. The Club has a philosophy to ensure that the natural vegetation is maintained and extended whilst enhancing the natural beauty of the experience through the following commitments.

A re-introduction of rare species back into the local area such as the Yarra Gum, Buxton Gum & Lomandra Filliforms amongst others.
Enhance the existing natural landscape through non-uniform planting.
Re-vegetation of areas to improve flora and fauna diversity and to replenish the surrounding bushland with new life. The planting of indigenous species is integral to achieving our objectives and will further encourage the growth of these species in and around the golf course.
Participation in The Ribbons of Green program (Yarra Ranges Shire) providing free plants and planting materials to enhance wildlife habitat, re-instate endangered plant species and re-vegetate areas with the appropriate species using Ecological vegetation classes (EVC’s) - approximately 1500 native plants were planted in 2021-22.
With the planting of native species and very large re-vegetation areas, this will create an animal corridor whilst creating a seed bank which is imperative for our future planning to start growing our own plants taken from cuttings around the entire precinct.
We want to balance our protection and growth of the local environment whilst complementing the dynamics of the game of golf – ultimately ensuring the course has been carved out of the surrounding, natural bush.

Significant fauna

We have a commitment to manage the long-term sustainability of our pristine environment to ensure its spectacular eco-system will be enjoyed by generations to come.

Brush-tailed phascogale (Phascogale tapoatafa) – a tree-dwelling marsupial ( Status is Vulnerable in Victoria) with a small fragmented population in the Yering Gorge Cottages precinct.
Powerful owl (Ninox strenua)
Southern myotis (Myotis macropus) – bats
Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) with sightings in the Yarra River – you have to be quick as they are fast.
Macquarie perch (Macquaria australasica) (State protected species) and other native fish. (Victorian Fisheries Authority rules and regulations apply)
Eastern Grey kangaroos and swamp wallabies
Brush and Ring tailed possums

Keep a lookout

Yering Gorge is home to 80+ species of native bird life within the 120-acre private nature reserve - providing a twitchers paradise with a pair of binoculars at the top of the ‘to pack list’.

White-bellied Sea eagle
A pair of nesting Wedge-tail eagles (largest ‘bird of prey’ in Australia).
Yellow Tailed Black Cockatoos ,King Parrots, Eastern Rosellas (Club bird emblem),Crimson Rosellas, Rainbow lorikeets, Sulphur crested Cockatoos and Galahs
Tawny Frogmouth (if you’re lucky)
Wombats (at dusk and dawn)
Echidnas (please drive slowly and you may see one)
Family group of White-winged Chough’s (Corcorax melanorhamphos) can be found in our private nature reserve.

Significant flora

Explore the diverse and fascinating world of flora, learn about rare and unique plant species and their importance in the ecosystem.

Eucalyptus crenulata (Buxton gum) – an endangered tree species and there are, currently, 100+ growing plants onsite, with numerous new plantings undertaken over the last three years.
Red Box- Eucalyptus polyanthemos (old big trees that are over 100 years old with circular leaves)
Manna Gum, Eucalyptus viminalis ( big white trunk trees at river)
Yellow Box- Eucalyptus melliodora (good source of pollen for bees and native animals)
Native Cherry- Exocarpos cupressiformis
Eucalyptus yarraensis (Yarra gum)
Gahnia radula (Thatch saw sedge)
Native orchids, wildflowers and shrubs in nature reserve - flowering mid-August until the main heat of summer.

Wildflowers and Herbs

The following wildflowers and herbs can be found growing throughout our private nature reserve.

Common hovea - Hovea heterophylla
Dwarf Boronia- Boronia nana var hyssopifolia
Love Creeper- Comesperma volubile
Mountain Clematis- Clematis aristata
Tall sundew- Drosera peltata ssp auriculata
Ivy- leaf Violet- Viola hederacea’ Kidney Weed- Dochondra repens
Common Bird Orchid- Chiloglottis valida
Nodding Greenhood Orchid- Pterostylis nutens
Wax-Lip Orchid- Glossodia major
Golden Bush Pea- Pultenaea gunnii
Austral Ladies Tresses- Spiranthes australis
Common Maidenhair- Adiantum aethiopicum
Austral Bracken- Pteridium esculentum
Common Tusscock Grass- Poa labillardierei
Twining Fring Lily- Thysantus pattersonii

Important aquatic plants

Dive into the world of aquatic flora, and discover the beauty and importance of underwater plants for our planet's ecosystem.

Triglochin procera (water ribbons)
Baumea articulata (jointed twig-rush)
Bolboschoenus fluviatilis (tall club sedge)
Myriophyllum sp (milfoil)
Eleocharis sphacelata (tall spike-rush)

Tier two risk assessment

At Yering Gorge Cottages and The Eastern Golf Club we consider our local environment to be the most important of assets we have.

So important, that we have undertaken an Australian first in setting a new environmental benchmark that has support from the Department of Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne Water and the Commonwealth of Australia through our referral under the EPBC Act.

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act) is the Australian Government’s central piece of environmental legislation. It provides a legal framework to protect and manage nationally and internationally important flora, fauna, ecological communities and heritage places — defined in the EPBC Act as matters of national environmental significance.

+61 3 9739 0110

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Yarra Valley Eco Friendly Accommodation

An eco friendly nature retreat...

Yering Gorge & surrounds.

Sustainability initiatives.

Environmental objectives.

Significant fauna.

Keep a lookout.

Significant flora.

Wildflowers and Herbs.

Important aquatic plants.

Tier two risk assessment.

Capture your
moment

@ yeringgorgecottages

Make a booking

Yarra Valley Eco Friendly Accommodation