SEEING CRYSTAL WATERS

We warmly welcome visitors to Crystal Waters however, please understand that most of the village area is residential, private and not accessible unless visitors are on a tour or have been invited by residents. Organised tours cover much of the land here and need to be booked at least a few days before arriving here to avoid disappointment on the day. Crystal Waters is also a wildlife sanctuary so please, no dogs or cats.


Crystal Waters Co-op Tours (approx. 2hrs)

  • A brief history of Crystal Waters
  • An overview of the community and its objectives
  • Permaculture aspects of layout and design
  • A drive around the property to see items of interest 
  • Usually, depending on time available and the visitors interests, a visit tothe guide’s home and garden, bamboo plantation,etc

Cost: $50 for the first person then $10 for each extra person.

Our guides can adapt or individualise tours to suit you and/or your group’s special interests, be it permaculture, housing, wildlife (see Comprehensive Tours info lower down on this page). A number of tour guides operate under the umbrella of the Crystal Waters Community Co-operative (Crystal Waters Co-op). The Co-op maintains the facilities and a percentage of money received from tours is donated to the Co-op for this purpose. Book your Co-op tour with the current Tour Operators below:


Tour Operator
E-mail
Telephone
(prefix 61 if outside Australia)


Barry O'Connell


boc@earthcare.com.au


07 5494 4726

Other Comprehensive Tours:

Max Lindegger
Global Ecovillage Network Asia & Oceania Inc.
EcoLogical Solutions

Personalised tours of the village and the EcoCentre for special interest and student groups by Co-Designer and long term resident of Crystal Waters, Max Lindegger.  Can be incorporated with short (or long) workshops.

Printed hand outs, colour printed booklet about the building process of the award winning rammed earth EcoCentre included.

Contact

Max Lindegger or Robin Harpley
(07) 5494 4741
E-mail: info@ecologicalsolutions.com.au
Website: www.ecologicalsolutions.com.au

 Crystal Waters Community Living Association

Personalised Tour

Guided informative visit of the property and one individual lot

  • approximately 1 hour.
  • Maximum of 4 people (to fit in a car)

By appointment, please phone to book

Group Visits

  • One day specific courses
  • theory & practical workshops
  • approximately 4 hours
  • Great for schools, TAFEs and special interest groups

More information HERE.

Barry O'Connell

I can tailor a tour to meet the needs of an individual or group and include such things as the bamboo and Asian spice plants on Earthcare Farm, alternative housing, private gardens, accommodation, meals (especially Thai food using local ingredients in season) and even places of interest outside Crystal Waters.

Contact

Barry O'Connell
(07) 5494 4726
Email: boc@earthcare.com.au

 

SEED International:
Sustainability Education and Ecological Design

Personalised Tour: View our home and garden designed using permaculture principles. We also provide an indepth exploration of eco-village design & permaculture design in relation to Crystal Waters, as well as knowledge and experience with city farms and community gardens (urban permaculture).

Contact

Morag Gamble & Even Raymond
Tel: (07) 5494 4833
Email: info@SEEDinternational.com.au
Website: www.SEEDinternational.com.au

Waterbreath Retreat Eco Village Tours offer a range of educational tours via foot, bike or mini bus. Highly recommended for all first time visitors

Community Introduction Tour visits key aspects of the property providing a broad overview of; past, present, future, environmental, social, economic issues & aspects of design.

Permaculture Garden Tour provides you with general overview of key design features, visit private gardens within the village discuss their attributes and challenges.

Sustainable House Design Tour discuss key design features & building techniques, visit private residences and learn from the experience of  village locals.
Nature Adventure   Explores habitats of the Upper Mary River, wild-life, vegetation, geography and people of the past that have shaped our environment.

All the above tours go for approximately 2 hours and cost a minimum of $60.

Tours can be tailor made to the specific needs of  group bookings.

Contact

Scott Dunbar
07 54944650
Email: b@waterbreath.com

Earthcare Education

Earthcare also offer a tour through their 5 acre farm. See wonderful stands of exotic bamboos in a cathederal-like setting.

Contact

Robin Clayfield
(07) 5494 4707
Email: robin@earthcare.com.au

Guide Booklet:
A Guide to Crystal Waters has been produced which gives a brief history of the development and includes our by laws. It is available via the Co-op and its tour guides and can be posted anywhere within Australia. Postage costs need to be covered for overseas destinations - please contact the Crystal Waters Co-op for details.  Currently (Aug 2008) the guide is unavailable whilst awaiting an update which should be completed soon.