KESTREL NEST ECOHUT
Case Study
Kestrel Nest EcoHut: DarkySky Approved Accreditation – Media Outreach Activation
Decant Digital’s comprehensive and yet targeted approach has put us in front of media from small local radio stations, to magazines with national distribution, to podcasters and beyond. Most importantly of all they ‘got us‘. Tania and her small team knew right away we were not one of the thousands of stays out there. They knew we were unique and their expertise is helping us be recognised that way.”
Project Overview
Long term client, Highfield Farm & Woodland became the first accommodation in Australia to receive International DarkSky Lodging accreditation for their off-grid eco-retreat, Kestrel Nest EcoHut in April 2025.
To amplify this extraordinary milestone, Decant Digital was engaged to develop and implement a national Media & PR Outreach Campaign to coincide with International Dark Sky Week (21–28 April 2025) and beyond.
This strategy aimed to position Kestrel Nest EcoHut as a premier destination for astro-tourism, conservation-focused travel, and immersive guest experiences, while also generating long-lead interest and bookings throughout 2025 and beyond.
Our Approach
We crafted a values-aligned, multi-phased PR strategy that brought together storytelling, sustainability messaging, and strategic media outreach.
Our work included:
- Comprehensive media list development targeting national travel, sustainability, regional, and lifestyle outlets.
- Tailored media pitches to secure unique story placements (rather than mass distribution).
- Creation of a full media kit including fact sheets, high-res visuals, bios, quotes, and Q&A.
- Influencer & content creator collaboration brief to support authentic storytelling.
- Social media rollout planning, SEO blog and website content enhancements.
Outcomes
The campaign launched during International Dark Sky Week and gained traction across traditional and digital platforms. Highlights included:
National & international media interest including multiple tv & radio segments, print media, podcast and news outlets.
Multiple PR pitch angles secured from eco-luxury and astro-tourism to conservation and rural innovation.
Regional coverage across Riverina and ACT broadcast networks.
Influencer content partnerships scheduled for winter 2025 rollout.
76% website traffic and new social media engagement increase driven by campaign content.
Strong interest from tourism bodies for future inclusion in dark sky travel features.
- Fully booked through to end of October 2025 and only two weekends available to end of 2025.
Why It Matters
This campaign not only celebrated a landmark accreditation for a regional tourism operator but demonstrated how meaningful storytelling, when combined with strategic media planning, can elevate small-scale operators into the national spotlight. Kestrel Nest EcoHut now stands positioned as a leader in both astro-tourism and sustainability, thanks to a carefully executed PR approach that honoured their values and their voice.
View Kestrel Nest EcoHut website >
This is an ongoing campaign, so we will continue to update outcomes over the next few months.
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We’d love to talk about your next project. Give us a call on 0457 592 736, or drop us a line and we’ll get in touch.