Ecotourism Australia is proud to partner with Destination NSW to provide eligible NSW visitor economy businesses fully funded access to the pre-certification benchmark program, Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard.
The program helps businesses assess their current sustainability performance, identify opportunities for improvement, and ideally progress to ECO or Sustainable Tourism Certification to formally recognise their sustainability commitment.
The Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard is part of the NSW First Program, delivered by Destination NSW to assist businesses such as breweries, wineries, restaurants, attractions, tours and accommodation providers across the state, to develop, promote and sell great visitor experiences.
There are 68 businesses who have successfully completed the Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard. Several of these have advanced their sustainability journey by obtaining, or actively working towards, certification through Ecotourism Australia’s ECO and Sustainable Tourism Certification programs.
Here are some NSW-based businesses who have completed the Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard with the support from Destination NSW:
- Balloon Aloft – Hunter Valley, Camden Valley and Byron Bay, NSW
Balloon Aloft is a family-owned and operated business committed to providing sustainable and accessible ballooning experiences for all adventurers. Demonstrating their strong commitment to sustainability, Balloon Aloft became the first operator in Australia to progress from completing the Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard to achieving Ecotourism Australia’s globally recognised Sustainable Tourism Certification.
Read more about Balloon Aloft here.
Image: Balloon Aloft, Hunter Valley. Credit: Destination NSW
2. Cape Byron Kayaks – Byron Bay, NSW
Perfect for adventurers and nature lovers alike, Cape Byron Kayaks offers unforgettable kayaking experiences in one of Australia’s most picturesque locations. For nearly 30 years, Cape Byron Kayaks has operated under the philosophy of ‘take only memories, leave not even footprints’ and has gone on to achieve ECO Certification after completing the Scorecard program.
Find Cape Byron Kayaks on the Green Travel Guide here.
Image: Cape Byron Kayaks, Byron Bay. Credit: Destination NSW
3. Bandicoot Pottery – Cobargo, NSW
Offering a variety of workshops for enthusiasts of all ages, Bandicoot Pottery encourages guests to express their imagination, experiences and thoughts through pottery. As the first business funded by Destination NSW to complete the Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard, Bandicoot Pottery remains committed to ongoing sustainability improvements, including the local sourcing of ‘wild’ clay and the reclamation and reuse of old clay and packaging materials.
Read more about Bandicoot Pottery here.
Image: Bandicoot Pottery, Cobargo.
4. Brokenwood Wines – Pokolbin, NSW
As a leading 5-star winery of the Hunter Valley, Brokenwood Wines is dedicated to creating excellent wines and offering memorable visitor experiences. Brokenwood Wines saw the Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard as an opportunity to showcase its sustainability achievements and highlight areas for growth for the benefit of its visitors and the broader community.
Read more about Brokenwood Wines here.
Image: Brokenwood Wines, Pokolbin. Credit: Time Out
5. Arts Factory Lodge – Byron Bay, NSW
Created in the 1970s by an eclectic group of self-proclaimed hippies and artists, Arts Factory Lodge is considered by some to be the birthplace of Byron Bay’s spirit and character. Arts Factory Lodge joined the program to gain an insight into where they are on their sustainability journey. Using the scorecard results, they have since improved their sustainability practices by implementing an energy monitoring process, which allows them to track and manage their energy consumption more effectively.
Read more about Arts Factory Lodge here.
Image: Arts Factory Lodge, Byron Bay
6. Contained in Nimbin – Nimbin, NSW
Offering a peaceful and comfortable retreat for visitors seeking a mix of nature immersion and luxury, Contained in Nimbin used the feedback and suggestions provided by the scorecard to identify opportunities to improve and innovate their sustainability practices. Some of their green initiatives include regenerating an acre of riparian zone on their property, obtaining Wires Rescue Accreditation, as well as focusing on achieving a circular system with their water and waste management systems.
Read more about Contained in Nimbin here.
Image: Contained in Nimbin, Nimbin. Credit: Lismore City Council
7. Beachcomber Holiday Park – Potato Point, NSW
Located near Eurobodalla National Park surrounded by an abundance of wildlife, Beachcomber Holiday Park participated in the program to ensure they are protecting the natural environment they depend on. Thanks to the program, Beachcomber Holiday Park realised that more energy and resources needed to be directed toward educating their team, guests, and local community on the importance of becoming more sustainable as a collective.
Read more about Beachcomber Holiday Park here.
Image: Beachcomber Holiday Park, Potato Point. Credit: Ocean View Photography
8. Canyonleigh Retreat – Canyonleigh, NSW
Nestled in the serene village of Canyonleigh, Canyonleigh Retreat offers a tranquil escape in the heart of the Southern Highlands. Dedicated to sustainable practices and reducing their carbon footprint, Canyonleigh Retreat completed the Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard and continue to embed sustainability into every facet of their operations, including the organic and sustainable cultivation of fruits and vegetables on their working farm.
Read more about Canyonleigh Retreat here.
Image: Canyonleigh Retreat, Canyonleigh
9. Green Pedal Cycles – Echuca Moama, NSW
Discover Echuca Moama in a unique and exciting way with Green Pedal Cycles’ guided e-bike tours. The Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard program prompted Green Pedal Cycles to consider aspects of their business through a different lens. “We have now further developed our written policies and procedures, and our website now provides customers information about our sustainability commitment and initiatives,” said Suzanna Barry, Co-Founder of Green Pedal Cycles.
Find out more about Green Pedal Cycles here.
Image: Green Pedal bike tour, Campaspe River, Echuca Moama
10. Forster Dive Centre – Tuncurry, NSW
Specialised in small group diving and snorkelling tours, Forster Dive Centre’s passion for diving goes hand-in-hand with its dedication to protecting the underwater world. Forster Dive Centre completed the Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard and continues to implement sustainable business practices to better protect the ocean including, organising regular clean-up dives and investing in high-quality, eco-friendly dive equipment.
Find out more about Forster Dive Centre here.
Image: Forster Dive Centre Double Boat Dive tour, Tuncurry
Applications for eligible NSW visitor economy businesses to participate in the Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard program are still open, but spaces are filling fast.
Find out more about the program here: https://ecotourism.org.au/sustainability/businesses/strive-4-sustainability-scorecard/nsw/