CONSTRUCTION is almost complete on O'Reilly's Mountain Villas development - nestled in the World Heritage-listed Lamington National Park.

The project represents an exciting new era for the O'Reilly family, who successfully pioneered ecotourism in Australia and won the Best Deluxe Accommodation category at the 2006 Queensland Tourism Awards.

O'Reilly's managing director Shane O'Reilly says buyers, mostly locals seeking a green-change retreat, have been quick to settle 36 contracts. Twelve villas remain for sale.

"The development is the largest and finest in the Gold Coast Hinterland and really takes ecotourism in the region to a new and exciting level," says Mr O'Reilly.

"Our occupancy rates in our 72 resort rooms and suites have been on the rise in the past few years and the Mountain Villas provide a great opportunity to keep up with this growing demand - especially from international markets - and to capitalise on the growing green-change phenomenon."

The $34 million project includes a conference centre and the region's first destination spa.

Mr O'Reilly says extensive planning has gone into ensuring eco-friendly, sustainable construction to complement and protect the surrounding environment.

"My family have been custodians of this spectacular natural area since 1911 and we've been dedicated to protecting the local environment," he says.

"We're totally committed to ensuring this new development continues this proud record."