Vision, Core Principles and Values

Vision

The vision for the future of Binna Burra will continue to be built from the legacy of the founders, as well as past and present generations responsible for the stewardship of the Binna Burra Cultural Landscape.

The vision for Binna Burra continues to be a meaningful connection between nature and heritage by:

• Providing a gateway to Woonoongoora (Lamington National Park)
• Offering a range of sustainable accommodation, food and beverage, activities and experiences, education and research opportunities and connecting the creative arts with nature and science
• Nurturing, conserving and improving the heritage listed land and buildings of which we are custodians on the Binna Burra Cultural Landscape, listed on the Queensland Heritage Register
• After the 2019 bushfire devastation and subsequent external impacts, repairing and improving infrastructure and rebuilding a Lodge and accommodation at Mt Roberts
• Providing good governance and financial stability for all legal entities associated with Binna Burra

Core principles and values

• Post the 2019 bushfires, the COVID pandemic shut-downs of 2020 – 2022, the hinterland tornado shut-down in December 2023 and the significant damage and shut-down from Cyclone Alfred in March 2025, the new era of Binna Burra continues the story of resilience at Binna Burra.
• It also continues the legacy of focus on providing access to Woonoongoora (Lamington National Park) as well as providing a unique setting for a range of ecotourism, adventure, wellness and special event activities surrounded by and within a world heritage listed rainforest environment.

Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) – strengthening the histories, stories and living knowledge of Aboriginal peoples and cultures of the Binna Burra surrounds as a stronger component to the future Binna Burra narrative.

For thousands of years, First Nations people lived in this area, managing and using its rich natural resources. Known as Woonoongoora in the Yugambeh language, the mountains of Lamington National Park are sacred and spiritual, places to be nurtured and respected.  The Yugambeh family groups are identified as the Wangerriburra, Birinburra, Gugingin, Migunberri, Mununjali, Bollongin, Minjungbal and Kombumerri. They shared language, ceremonies, celebrations and economic exchange, using both the open forest and rainforest. Evidence of their occupation has been found in various parts of the park, including the Kweebani (cooking) cave near Binna Burra.

The arrival of Europeans changed the First Nations peoples’ lifestyle forever.  In 2021, the Binna Burra Lodge Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) was officially accredited by Reconciliation Australia. The RAP acknowledges and pays respect to the past, present, and future Traditional Custodians and Elders of this land and the continuation of cultural, spiritual, and educational practices of First Nations peoples.

Binna Burra’s vision for reconciliation

As the current generation of stewards of the Binna Burra Cultural Landscape, we acknowledge the contribution of Lamington National Park to the wider pattern and evolution of Queensland’s history and heritage which extends for tens of thousands of years before colonial settlement of this area.  We recognise the world is a different place from the way it was when the first camps were held at Binna Burra in 1933. We recognise the histories, stories and living knowledge of Aboriginal peoples and cultures of the Binna Burra surrounds should be a stronger component to the future Binna Burra narrative.

The Binna Burra Vision is achieved through the implementation of core values and principles of sustainability

A Spirit of Binna Burra Site: Recognising and continuing the history, heritage and connection that generations of families and individuals have with their experiences on the Binna Burra Cultural Landscape within the world heritage listed Woonoongoora (Lamington National Park).

A First Nations Informed Site: Respecting and drawing on local First Nations knowledge, culture and history and celebrating this, sharing it with staff, stakeholders and visitors alike.

A Financially Sustainable Site: Achieving Binna Burra’s vision now and into the future by being financially sustainable with profits reinvested consistently with the core values and principles.

An Accessible & Social Site: Our past is egalitarian and inclusive, founded in camaraderie and social interactions for all people. This will continue into the future as we adopt ‘Universal Accessibility’, meaning the design of products and services to be used by all people.

A Site of Climate Resilience: Almost a century ago, our beginning was radical with forward looking appreciation of traditional cultural and biodiversity conservation views. Our future will continue that legacy. Our landscape inside Woonoongoora (Lamington National Park) continues to be under threat from climate change. Implementing resilience plans alongside efforts to reduce our own carbon footprint is our responsibility to this place and the planet.

A Zero Waste and Emissions Site: Achieving zero emissions means releasing no greenhouse gases to the atmosphere at Binna Burra (no carbon dioxide (CO2), no methane, no nitrous oxide or other greenhouse gases.) It will also reduce bushfire risk and ensure Binna Burra stays at the leading edge of sustainable tourism practices to ensure we can maintain the natural environment that surrounds us, instill good habits in our employees and visitors through reducing, recycling, reusing and repurposing resources to show leadership in the field.

A Site where Science Matters: Even before the establishment of Woonoongoora (Lamington National Park) in 1915, science has underpinned the understanding of the natural resources of the mountain rainforests surrounding Binna Burra. We will strengthen our collaboration with all levels of education and research institutions to uncover and share the wonders of all branches of science relevant to Binna Burra. We will strengthen the connections between the creative arts, the natural environment and scientific knowledge.