Holiday Accommodation 
About Us
Profile || Testimonials || Press || Memberships & Associations
Profile
Photo right: Your hosts, physicist Paul Taylor and partner Renate Kraus
Purchasing Mt Warning B&B Retreat in 2004 after returnng to Australia from decades of Astrophysics, black hole research and DNA technologies research in the United States, we are keenly aware of the potential crisis that climate change presents.
As a result, global warming issues and environmental sustainability drive our vision for the property, where we are creating an environnmentally friendly retreat, on the 5 acres of riverside rainforest surrounding the bed and breakfast guesthouse, which is located at the foot of the World Heritage listed Mt Warning National Park.
Member of:
- Northern NSW Ecotourism Association (NNETA)
- Wildlife Tourism Australia (WTA)
- Rainforest Way
Reducing our Carbon Footprint
Mt Warning Retreat has an ongoing program to reduce our carbon footprint, while offering guests to the region a tranquil retreat.
- Natural Mount Warning water supply
- Onsite Clearwater Treatment system
- 10 kW grid connect solar power
- Solar hot water
- Recycling program
Property improvements include removal of noxious weeds, and extraction of exotic tree and shrub species which can be replaced with local native species. An organic orchard and vege plot is also planned.
Paul is currently using his academic expertise to explore biochar production as a means to improve farm and soil productivity while tackling climate change, and Renate offers guests the opportunity to sooth away the stresses of every day life with a relaxing massage.
Book by Paul Taylor PhD
The Biochar Revolution: Transforming Agriculture and Environment. Edited by Paul Taylor PhD. "Black is the new Green! How to transform agriculture and the environment. A friendly, informative inspiring and break-through reference guide for anyone interested in biochar or concerned about environmental issues." Foreword by Dr. Tim Flannery.
BioChar Press
Biochar revolution: Northern Rivers Echo, Liina Flynn | 21st April 2011. "While many people are trying to avoid carbohydrates, local permaculturist Wayne Wadsworth can’t get enough of them. He’s on a mission to transform our economy from one that’s reliant on hydrocarbons into an economy based on carbohydrates."
Join the Biochar revolution: Northern Rivers Echo, Andy Parks | 14th April 2011 Dr Paul Taylor is an astrophysicist who has worked at Harvard, NASA and MIT. In the early 1970s he was working at the National Centre for Atmospheric Research in the USA alongside people who were doing early modelling on climate change. These days he isn’t looking at the stars but at the ground and how we can sequester carbon and increase soil fertility using biochar, a type of charcoal produced by the conversion of biomass under oxygen-limited conditions in a reactor.Tweed ‘ideal’ for biochar project: Tweed Echo, by Murray Simpson, Thursday, 31 March 2011 Ballina Shire is poised to embrace cutting-edge technology to turn its growing green waste problem into electricty and fertiliser while Tweed is wavering in the wings.
Scientist pushes biochar benefits: Tweed Daily News by Kirsty Noffke | 26th March 2011 A RETIRED Mt Warning astrophysicist wants the region to become a world showcase for biochar and its remarkable properties.
| Click on the image to pop up the article (jpg format) | ||||
Momentum for World Rally Alternative |
Astro man fears for our planet |
From economic crisis to environmental disaster |
Consumers must pay price for environment |
Physicist at coal-face for climate research |
Testimonials
- “Loved the Yurt. I want one!” - Sommervilles, Noosa Heads, QLD
- “Beautiful, sacred, calm, mysterious Mt Warning sunset, nice place to rest and rejuvinate [sic].” - Peta and Aaron, Bilambil Heights, NSW
- “Great Birthday for Rolf, nice and peaceful break” - Sonja, Rolf, Kris, Ipswich, NSW
- “The river is wonderful - great sunsets, climbing Mt Warning in the rain” - Ines, Germany
- ...We just wanted to let you know we thorougly enjoyed our stay last night in the YURT ( short as it was!) The property is just beautiful and the hospitality wonderful. The breakfast was simply delicious - everything was so fresh.... The owners have left their retreat in great hands !!!! ... I have worked in the accommodation industry for years and have stayed in a lot of properties but none like yours, it was a refreshing change....... We will be back, Lyndall & Michael Smith
Click the Visitor Book image (right) to read a page from our visitors book (pop up window)
Press
Escaping the twitching city madness, By Danny Cameron June 2009.
"I had found myself in the Gold Coast that very morning and in need of a quick escape away from the world of human development. Half an hour to the southwest of the crazed frantic growth of the Gold Coast you find yourself a world away." >> Full PDF (1.7mb) article here
Australia's Mount Warning Retreat: Sweet Simplicity. "Located less than an hour from Coolangatta Airport, Mount Warning Bed And Breakfast Retreat is one of those little gems that gain in value with each visit...." Friday, 8 October 2010
: