This World Oceans Day, we celebrate the ocean’s wonder and the operators who are committed to preserving the vital life it supports.

 

Tourism offers a gateway to the ocean’s wonder – from reef dives to sea kayaking adventures, it shapes how we connect with marine environments. But this connection also comes with a duty of care. Sustainable tourism, as championed by our certified operators, ensures these experiences protect the ocean and the life it sustains.

 

The UN’s annual celebration of the ocean, World Ocean’s Day, exists to remind us that the ocean is our life source. The 2025 theme, Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us, calls on all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean so that future generations can have the chance to revel in its wonders. 

 

In honour of World Oceans Day, we’re spotlighting three of our certified marine tourism operators who help protect the ocean – while connecting travellers with its unforgettable wonders:

 

 1. Soul Surf School – ECO Certified

Soul Surf School are a family–owned, locally–operated business situated on Byron Bay’s iconic Main Beach.  At the heart of everything they do is a commitment to protecting the environment, including using eco-friendly cleaning products for wetsuits, recycling wetsuits and boards for the local community, and using slurry tubs to prevent washing soaps from entering local waterways. 

Soul Surf School also champion accessibility in surfing, ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability, can witness first-hand the wonder of the ocean and the importance of taking sustainable actions to protect it.  

Find Soul Surf School on the Green Travel Guide here.

 

2. Ocean Rafting – Advanced ECO Certified, Climate Action Certified, Green Travel Leader, Hall of Fame.

 

Image: Southern Lights Tour, Ocean Rafting

ECO Certified for more than 20 years, Ocean Rafting offers exhilarating vessel tours through the Whitsundays’ most desirable destinations, with experiences including snorkelling and guided walks.  

Ocean Rafting is the only company in the Whitsundays with a dedicated research vessel and six Master Reef Guides. As world-leading reef interpreters within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, Master Ree Gudies are passionate about protecting the Reef’s future through education, conservation, and responsible tourism. 

By sharing the wonder of the Great Barrier Reef, Ocean Rafting inspires action, showing how sustainable tourism protects the natural beauty that makes our oceans so special. 

Find Ocean Rafting on the Green Travel Guide here.

 

3. Ningaloo Reef Dive – Advanced ECO Certified

Ningaloo Reef Dive offers a range of unforgettable marine adventures in the pristine waters of Coral Bay – providing guests with the opportunity to snorkel and dive alongside majestic marine life. 

Their sustainability goals focus on minimising their ecological footprint, preserving marine biodiversity, and promoting conservation awareness. 

Ningaloo Reef Dive go one step further than allowing guests to witness the ocean’s abundance, wisdom, and awe – they also actively participate in citizen science initiatives that drive innovation to protect their region. 

Find Ningaloo Reef Dive on the Green Travel Guide here.

 

To find out more about the UN’s World Oceans Day and the 2025 theme, check out their website here.

 

 

 

The 2024 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards are just around the corner, and this year a record number of Ecotourism Australia certified operators have been named as finalists across 17 categories.

 

We are proud to have almost every state represented, with at least one certified operator nominated in each state, except for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). 

Notably, in the Ecotourism category, 6 out of the 7 nominees are proudly certified by Ecotourism Australia, highlighting their commitment to providing world-class sustainable and environmentally conscious experiences. 

The Australian Tourism Awards have long been the nation’s premier recognition of excellence in the tourism industry, showcasing and celebrating businesses that have made outstanding contributions to the tourism sector. 

The awards gala will take place at 6pm on Friday 21 March at the Adelaide Convention Centre. 

We would like to wish our certified operators the best of luck for the awards.  Your commitment to tourism excellence has set the benchmark for the industry and we look forward to celebrating your success. 

 

 

Finalists certified by Ecotourism Australia:

 

Major Tourist Attractions 

• Monarto Safari Park (SA) 

• Zoos Victoria – Melbourne Zoo (VIC) 

 

Tourist Attractions 

• Bundaberg Rum Visitor Experience (QLD) 

 

Ecotourism 

• Aquila Eco Retreat (TAS) 

• Busselton Jetty (WA) 

• Kestrel Nest EcoHut at Highfield Farm & Woodland (NSW) 

• Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort (QLD) 

• Larapinta Trail, World Expeditions | Australian Walking Holidays (NT) 

• The Big Duck Boat Tours (SA) 

 

Cultural Tourism 

• Adelaide Zoo (SA) 

• Bungle Bungle Guided Tours (WA) 

• Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary (QLD) 

 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism Experiences 

• Wintjiri Wiru – Ayers Rock Resort (NT) 

• Zoos Victoria – Healesville Sanctuary (VIC) 

 

Business Event Venues 

• Tamborine Mountain Glades (QLD) 

• Peppers Silo Hotel (TAS) 

• Pullman Bunker Bay (WA) 

 

Major Tour & Transport Operators 

• AAT Kings (NT) 

• HeliSpirit (WA) 

• Ocean Rafting (QLD) 

• Pennicott Wilderness Journeys (TAS) 

 

Tour & Transport Operators 

• Fun Over 50 Holidays – Immersive Tours and Adventures (QLD) 

• Margaret River Discovery Co (WA) 

• Spirit of the Coorong (SA) 

 

Adventure Tourism 

• Aquascene Magnetic Island (QLD) 

• Balloon Aloft Australia (NSW) 

• Bendleby Ranges (SA) 

• Larapinta Trail, World Expeditions | Australian Walking Holidays (NT) 

 

Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services 

• Nitmiluk Tours and Cicada Lodge (NT) 

 

Tourism Wineries, Distilleries & Breweries 

• Bundaberg Rum Visitor Experience (QLD) 

 

Caravan & Holiday Parks 

• BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort (QLD) 

 

Unique Accommodation 

• All Seasons Houseboats (VIC) 

 

3-3.5 Star Accommodation 

• Great Keppel Island Hideaway (QLD) 

• ibis Adelaide (SA) 

 

4-4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation 

• Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort (QLD) 

• Peppers Silo Hotel (TAS) 

 

5 Star Luxury Accommodation 

• Pullman Bunker Bay (WA) 

 

Excellence in Accessible Tourism 

• Balloon Aloft Australia (NSW) 

• BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort (QLD) 

• Busselton Jetty (WA)

 

Ecotourism Australia Wishes You a Joyful Holiday Season and a Bright New Year!

 

As 2024 comes to a close, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported Ecotourism Australia this year.

 

Your commitment has helped make 2024 our most impactful year yet, with some incredible achievements that continue to advance sustainable tourism across Australia. 

 

As we near the end of 2024, here are some highlights that have made this year truly remarkable.

 

ECO Certification Program

We certified 24 new tourism businesses and celebrated 12 operators reaching Green Travel Leader status, awarded for 10 years of certification. Two operators – Paronella Park in Queensland and Scenic World Blue Mountains in NSW – were honoured with Hall of Fame status for 20 years of consistently upholding best-practice sustainability standards.

 

Sustainable Tourism Certification Program

Our Sustainable Tourism Program saw tremendous growth this year, welcoming 140 newly Certified operators, driven largely by our landmark partnership with Accor Pacific. Accor has set an ambitious goal to certify all their Australian properties with Ecotourism Australia by the end of 2025. 

 

Destination Program

In 2024, we certified four new destinations, Bellingen Shire, Townsville, Gladstone Region and Capricorn Coast – who have now joined a global network of more than 400 sustainable destinations through our Green Destinations partnership. We were also thrilled to have to opportunity to showcase Australian certified destinations to an international audience at the Green Destinations Global Conference 2024 in Chilean Patagonia.

 

Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard

Our pre-certification program, the Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard, continues to grow with 179 new registrations in 2024. Thank you to our founding partner Tourism Australia, and industry partners Destination NSW, Visit Canberra, Tourism MidWest Victoria and the Queensland Government’s Department of Tourism and Sport (DTS) for providing valuable opportunities for businesses to begin their sustainability journey.

 

2024 Global Sustainability Tourism Summit

This year, we proudly hosted our first Global Sustainable Tourism Summit, themed People, Planet, Place, Purpose, from 4–6 June in Meeanjin/Brisbane. The event brought together over 280 delegates and 62 speakers from across all states and territories and five countries to engage in innovative and meaningful conversations about the challenges and opportunities for ecotourism and sustainable tourism.

 

Global Partners

Our strategic partnerships with leading international organisations and key industry bodies continue to reinforce Ecotourism Australia’s position as a global leader in sustainable tourism.

 

This year saw our ECO and Sustainable Tourism Certification programs recognised by Travalyst, meaning certified hotels can now have their certification highlighted across global platforms including Booking.com, Google, Expedia, Trip.com, Tripadvisor, Amadeus, Sabre, Skyscanner, Travelport, Visa and Mastercard.

 

We are proud to continue to work collaboratively with other leading global certifying bodies to ensure international best-practice standards are maintained and recognised. By working with these bodies, we promote quality management, continuous improvement and alignment with emerging consumer protection legislation, including the European Union’s Green Claims Directive.

 

National partnerships 

Our national partnerships with Big Red Group, Australian Tourism Data Warehouse, WWF-Australia, the Australian Tourism Export Council, Caravan Industry Association of Australia and Accommodation Australia have amplified the importance of sustainable tourism and credible certification to the broader tourism industry.

Find out more about our partners here.

 

New Board of Directors

In October 2024, Ecotourism Australia held its Annual General Meeting, where we announced our new Board of Directors for 2024/25. Members elected four new Directors and re-elected one returning Director, forming the eight-person Ecotourism Australia Board. We would like to welcome our new Directors and thank our outgoing Directors.

Find out more here.

 

Making Ecotourism Australia More Accessible

Ecotourism Australia has been working to make our digital collateral, including our corporate website and the Green Travel Guide more accessible.

 

Through the QLD Government’s Boosting Accessible Tourism Experiences Grant program, we have improved our sustainability initiatives and made our visual information more inclusive and accessible for those with visual impairments or learning difficulties. This extensive process included conducting a website accessibility audit and re-developing our corporate and visitor-facing website, the Green Travel Guide.

Today, we celebrate World Sustainable Transport Day, an opportunity to reflect on how we can all make transport safer, more efficient, more inclusive and greener.

 

Established by the UN General Assembly in May 2023, this day reminds us of the important role sustainable transport plays in supporting economic resilience, improving the social welfare of people and preserving our natural world. 

 

What is Sustainable Transport? 

 

Sustainable transport is more than just moving people from place to place. Sustainable transport connects people, communities and businesses, while protecting natural environments, promoting social inclusion and strengthening economic resilience. 

 

 According to Expedia Group’s Sustainable Travel Study, three in five consumers opt for more environmentally friendly transportation while travelling. When it comes to sustainable travel, consumers are most interested in options with low environmental impact and expect that travel operators, including transportation providers, demonstrate their commitment to sustainability. 

 

In honour of World Sustainable Transport Day, here are five of our certified transport operators who are leading the way in green, inclusive, and community-centric travel: 

 

1. SeaLink North Queensland – ECO Certified, ECO Certified on the nature level, Respecting Our Culture Certified, Green Travel Leader 

SeaLink North Queensland is an award-winning transport service, providing the quickest link between Townsville and Magnetic Island.  

 

Some of their sustainability initiatives include implementing energy-efficient lighting across terminals and vessels, which is turned off when not in use, and introducing digital e-tickets and a commuter app to reduce the use of paper tickets.  

 

To provide more sustainable marine transport solutions, Sealink is working with governments and clients around Australia to design and build low and green-emission vessels, including hydrogen and electric-powered options.  

 

Find SeaLink North Queensland on the Green Travel Guide here. 

 

 

2. Tropic Wings Cairns Tours & Charters – ECO Certified on the nature level, Green Travel Leader, Hall of Fame

Tropic Wings Cairns Tours & Charters is the longest-established coach operator in Tropical North Queensland, providing quality eco-friendly tours in Kuranda and Cape Tribulation.

 

Tropic Wings proudly operates Australia’s first 100% electric bus and the first fleet of electric coaches used for day tours. Through their Towards Sustainable Transport in Tourism project, they have installed 11 advanced charging stations and developed off-grid operational capabilities in the event of outages, setting new benchmarks for sustainable transport in tourism.

 

Find Tropic Wings Cairns Tours & Charters on the Green Travel Guide here.

 

 

3. Down Under Tours – Advanced ECO Certified, Hall of Fame, Green Travel Leader 

Family-owned and operating in Cairns and Tropical North Queensland, Down Under Tours is dedicated to delivering memorable tour experiences that cater to everyone. 

 

Their tours are designed to include individuals who are visually impaired, deaf or hard of hearing, as well as those with limited mobility, cognitive disabilities or who are neurodiverse.  

Their accessible fleet includes dedicated wheelchair-accessible coaches with features like side-loading hydraulic lifts, ensuring an inclusive and comfortable experience for all. 

 

Find Down Under Tours on the Green Travel Guide here. 

 

 

4. HeliSpirit – ECO Certified, Hall of Fame, Green Travel Leader 

HeliSpirit offers a variety of unforgettable helicopter adventures across the Kimberley region of Western Australia.  

 

They have partnered with Eve Air Mobility to introduce up to 50 zero-emission electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, with flights starting as early as 2026. This innovative fleet will provide quick, efficient and emission-free air travel, with the added benefit of reducing noise by up to 90% compared to equivalent helicopter types. 

 

HeliSpirit is committed to significantly reducing its carbon footprint by operating zero-emission electric aircraft, offering unrivalled sustainable tourism experiences across Western Australia. 

 

Find HeliSpirit on the Green Travel Guide here. 

 

 

5. Beyond Byron E bikes – ECO Certified, Green Travel Leader 

Beyond Byron E Bikes offers guided e-bike tours of the Hinterland and National Parks surrounding Byron Bay in NSW. 

 

Their mission is to reduce carbon emissions from transport by promoting the use of e-bikes as an alternative form of transport while encouraging guests to foster a deeper connection to nature.  

 

Committed to leaving no trace behind, they have partnered with ReForestNow.org to plant local rainforest trees for every tour, offsetting their carbon footprint and contributing to rainforest restoration.  

 

Find Beyond Byron E Bikes on the Green Travel Guide  here. 

 

 

To find out more about World Sustainable Transport Day, check out their website here: https://www.worldsustainabletransportday.org/