Giving Back to the Whitsundays: Our Team’s Work with Eco Barge Clean Seas

Eco Barge Reef Club Up

How Eco Barge Clean Seas Keep the Whitsundays Beautiful

When working for at Hotel Group, caring for guests comes naturally, but caring for the environment that surrounds us is just as important. Our Guest Services Manager, Bebe, has taken part in a couple of Eco Barge Clean Seas, a not‑for‑profit organisation dedicated to removing marine debris, rescuing injured turtles, and protecting fragile coastal ecosystems across the Whitsundays and Great Barrier Reef.

Eco Barge Clean Seas has achieved extraordinary impact since 2009, including:

  • 281,252 kg of marine debris collected
  • 588 barge island clean‑up trips completed
  • 710 native trees planted
  • 318 turtles cared for at the Whitsunday Turtle Rescue Centre
  • 15,163 volunteers contributing to conservation efforts

These numbers tell a powerful story, but the real magic happens through everyday people who show up, roll up their sleeves, and make a difference.

A Small Start with a Meaningful Impact

Living and working in the Whitsundays means being surrounded by one of the world’s most extraordinary natural environments. Giving back when she can is Bebe’s way of honouring the place she calls home.

Bebe’s recent clean‑up with Eco Barge Clean Seas was a small contribution to a much larger mission. The team of volunteers regularly travel to remote beaches, removing debris carried in by tides and storms, Bebe was able to see firsthand how much effort goes into keeping our coastline healthy.

Eco Barge Hands-On Conservation

Marine Debris Removal
Joining barge trips to remote beaches, volunteers helps clear litter washed in from ocean currents. These clean‑ups prevent plastics from entering the food chain and protect turtles, seabirds, and marine life.

Turtle Rescue Support
Eco Barge’s Whitsunday Turtle Rescue Centre has cared for more than 318 injured or sick turtles, providing vital rehabilitation for animals affected by illness, entanglement, or marine debris.

Ecosystem Restoration
Eco Barge also supports habitat restoration through community tree‑planting days, contributing to the 710 native trees planted to strengthen riparian zones and improve coastal resilience.

Education & Awareness
Back at The Sebel Whitsundays, Bebe shares what she’s learned from her volunteering experiences, inspiring colleagues, guests, and partners to make small everyday changes that help protect our oceans.

💙 A Shared Commitment

We’re incredibly proud of Bebe’s dedication and grateful for the example she sets. Eco Barge Clean Seas reminds us that protecting the Whitsundays is a shared responsibility,  one that our team embraces wholeheartedly.