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Drawing Rooms of Berry
Boutique AccommodationWodi Wodi Country / Berry, NSWCompleted the Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard From solar panels to native gardens, The Drawing Rooms of Berry has long embraced green practices.In the South Coast hinterland, surrounded by rolling green hills and framed by the spectacular Shoalhaven escarpment, sits The Drawing Rooms of Berry, a 15-acre retreat offering four luxury self-contained lodges. Just two hours south of Sydney and minutes from the charming village of Berry, it has become a boutique escape for couples, friends, and families who want to enjoy comfort while staying connected to nature. From its beginnings, The Drawing Rooms has placed environmental sustainability at the heart of its operations. “Sustainable practices are fundamental to our values and a core part of our operations at The Drawing Rooms,” explained Special Projects Manager, Hannah Bligh. The property already had strong sustainability credentials before starting its certification journey. Designed by award-winning landscape designer and co-owner, Michael Bligh, the gardens feature native and naturalistic plantings that attract pollinators while thriving without fertiliser or excess water. Two banks of solar panels power the lodges, pool pump, and even robot lawnmowers. Water comes from a natural mountain spring, while all grey and brown water is treated and reused to nourish the garden. Guests are also encouraged to participate. “Bottles and cans go to our local high school so they can benefit from Return & Earn; food scraps go to our chickens and coffee grounds to our compost bay,” Hannah said. Eco-friendly refillable bathroom amenities and compostable teabags from a local fine tea merchant add to the guest experience while keeping sustainability front and centre. The Drawing Rooms also plays an active role in supporting the local economy by providing employment for housekeeping staff, a massage therapist, and a garden maintenance team, alongside sourcing most supplies locally. Despite these efforts, the team wanted a way to benchmark their practices against global standards. That’s where the Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard came in. The Scorecard is a pre-certification benchmarking tool that measures a business’s operations against 50 criteria across four pillars of sustainability: sustainable management, environmental impacts, socio-economic impacts, and cultural impacts. Valid for 12 months, it provides personalised feedback, identifies strengths and gaps, and helps businesses prepare for globally recognised certification. “We were really keen to undertake a thorough evaluation of our operations to understand our areas of strength and things we could be doing better,” Hannah explained. The feedback proved invaluable. “It’s given us valuable and very specific feedback for some key areas, including the need to actually tell our guests more about our extensive sustainability efforts. It was a great prompt to update our marketing materials and guest information to allow guests to understand more about our ethos.” The Scorecard confirmed that The Drawing Rooms was performing strongly in sustainable management and environmental impacts while offering ideas to improve in areas such as cultural heritage. “It was really useful to gain more ideas to improve our impact in respect of cultural heritage,” Hannah said. For the team, the process has made the next step clear. “The Scorecard process showed us our strengths within multiple sustainability areas and what we can do to fill any gaps, so having already gone through that process of in-depth analysis, Certification is the logical next step.” For The Drawing Rooms of Berry, the Scorecard has been an essential stepping stone, turning their commitment to sustainability into measurable progress and providing a pathway toward certification. For other tourism businesses, it offers the same opportunity: an accessible, practical way to assess operations, gain credibility with travellers, and build confidence for the next stage of their sustainability journey. Click here to learn more about Drawing Rooms of Berry's sustainable efforts, and book your stay: https://www.drawingrooms.com.au/kangaroo-valley-luxury-accommodation/#sustainabilityPlan Drawing Rooms of Berry completed their Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard on 19 August 2025 and is a snapshot of their current sustainability practices. The scorecard is not a certification and is valid for 12 months upon completion.
TAPAF
The Blade, Tasman National Park | © Tourism AustraliaTourism and Protected Areas Forum (TAPAF) The Tourism and Parks Agency Forum (TAPAF) is a collaborative, information-sharing network that brings together state and federal park agencies alongside state and federal tourism organisations. Meeting quarterly, TAPAF plays a key role in advancing responsible tourism and supporting the sustainable use and management of Australia’s national parks. Purpose The Tourism and Parks Agency Forum (TAPAF) was created to explore the significant range of environmental, social, and economic benefits of nature-based tourism. TAPAF provides a national platform that enables collaboration between tourism and park agencies at both the state and federal levels. It supports the alignment of tourism growth within national parks, ensuring sustainable access while protecting the natural and cultural values of Australia’s landscapes. TAPAF encourages policy alignment, national-level coordination, sharing of best practices, and strategic dialogue across jurisdictions and agencies responsible for tourism and national parks. Objectives TAPAF supports the growth of tourism that protects biodiversity, cultural values, and contributes meaningfully to conservation. It encourages tourism models that are environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable across Australia’s national parks. By connecting state, territory and federal tourism organisations and park agencies, TAPAF promotes a coordinated, nationally consistent approach to managing visitor access and promoting sustainable tourism in Australia’s national parks. TAPAF enhances visitor experiences by exchanging ideas to improve the quality, safety, and accessibility of experiences in Australia’s national parks. TAPAF informs strategic policy and planning contributing to national strategies such as THRIVE 2030 strategy, helping to shape frameworks that influence tourism in national parks. TAPAF Members
AGM 2025
Annual General Meeting 2025 Ecotourism Australia invites you to attend our Annual General Meeting (AGM) at 11 am AEST on Monday, 20 October 2025, hosted online via Zoom. This is an important opportunity for members to engage in the governance of our organisation and shape its future direction.At this year’s AGM, the Board of Ecotourism Australia will present a proposed new Constitution for member approval. The proposed Constitution has been designed to: Introduce a balanced structure of member-elected Directors (maximum 5) and Board-appointed Directors (maximum 4) Update Director terms from 2 years to 3 years, with a maximum of two terms (6 years total) Meet current regulatory requirements for a Company Limited by Guarantee Be modernised and contemporary to meet Ecotourism Australia’s strategic imperatives and our objectives Provide a streamlined and concise governance framework. As required under the Corporations Act 2001, the new Constitution must be formally adopted by members through a special resolution at the AGM. This means that at least 75% of members present and voting will need to support the resolution for it to pass. Your vote is therefore important in shaping the future governance of Ecotourism Australia. The draft Constitution is available for download below. We have an Expression of Interest (EOI) for Directors for the Ecotourism Australia board. Please note that while EOIs will be open, no new Directors will be appointed before the AGM. Your participation is vital to ensure our governance reflects the strength, professionalism and sustainability goals of our membership. Thank you for your continued support of Ecotourism Australia. We look forward to your involvement at the AGM.
Connect Adventures
Nature-based hiking tours Northern new south walesCompleted the Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard Can small businesses really compete on global sustainability standards? Connect Adventures set out to find out.At the heart of Northern New South Wales, Connect Adventures leads small groups on multi-day hiking journeys through the Tweed Valley, Byron Bay hinterland rainforest and the Clarence Coast. Guests can escape everyday life to immerse themselves in wild, untouched landscapes, guided by experts, nourished with gourmet meals and supported with personalised care. More than just walking tours, these experiences leave a lasting impression on visitors – sparking connection, curiosity and respect for Australia’s most remarkable natural places. Sustainability has always been at the heart of Connect Adventures, but for co-founder Jason Little, the goal was to take it further by adopting a systematic approach to measure the company’s practices against global standards, strengthen accountability and identify opportunities for improvement. With funding support from Destination New South Wales, the team was able to achieve this by completing Ecotourism Australia’s Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard, which provided a structured framework to assess their operations and plan a path forward. “Our main motivation was to better understand how Connect Adventures measures against recognised sustainability standards and where we can make meaningful improvements,” Little explains. “We see sustainability as key to our business, especially given our work in World Heritage-listed environments, National Parks, and on Country.” Built on globally recognised certification standards, the Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard provides tourism operators with a snapshot of their sustainability journey at a given moment, assessing performance across 50 criteria spanning Sustainable Management, Environmental Impacts, Socio-Economic Impacts, and Cultural Impacts. For Connect Adventures, the structured framework offered an invaluable opportunity to evaluate their entire operation. “While guided hiking has many positive impacts, we’re also mindful of the broader footprint – from planning and logistics through to resourcing, gear and local suppliers, and guest travel. The scorecard provided us with a structured way to assess all of these aspects and set clear goals for the future.” The results were both affirming and eye-opening. Connect Adventures achieved a high overall score, with strong results across all four sustainability pillars. More importantly, the process provided clarity on where the business could continue to grow. “The greatest benefit of the scorecard has been the clarity it provided around our results and the areas where we can improve,” Jason reflects. “Alongside these insights, the scorecard also gives us credibility when communicating with guests, partners, and local communities – showing that our sustainability commitments are independently assessed and benchmarked.” Looking to the future, Connect Adventures sees certification as the natural next step. “Certification has always been a target of ours and gaining this is a natural progression for us. We are committed to continuous improvement and believe certification will not only strengthen our practices but also enhance trust with guests, industry partners, and government stakeholders.” While the business had been aware of the scorecard program, Jason says the support of Destination NSW made all the difference in making the opportunity achievable for a small operator. “As a small business, the grant support made undertaking the scorecard achievable for us, and we are very grateful. It gave us the opportunity to take an important step forward in our sustainability journey.” Completing the Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard gave Connect Adventures a clear view of their strengths and areas for growth, while demonstrating accountability to guests and partners. With support from Destination New South Wales, the business has taken an important step toward continuous improvement, showing that even small operators can engage with global sustainability standards and plan for a responsible future. Click here to learn more about Connect Adventure’s sustainable efforts, and book your tour: https://connectadventures.com.au/ Connect Adventures completed their Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard on 6 August 2025 and is a snapshot of their current sustainability practices. The scorecard is not a certification and is valid for 12 months upon completion.
Wollemi Wanders
NATURE-BASED TOURINGDharug-Gundungurra country / mt wilsonCompleted the Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard From wildflower walks to canyon abseils, Wollemi Wanders ensures its adventures tread lightly. Wollemi Wanders is a boutique, family-run adventure company inviting travellers to step off the beaten track and immerse themselves in the wild beauty of Sydney and the Blue Mountains. Whether it’s a gentle wildflower walk through sunlit valleys or an exhilarating canyon abseil deep into sandstone gorges, every experience is guided by passionate biologists who love nothing more than sharing the hidden stories of Australia’s extraordinary flora and fauna. At the heart of Wollemi Wanders lies a simple philosophy: slow down, look around, and truly connect with the landscapes you’re moving through. Even the company’s name embodies this spirit. “Wollemi” comes from the Aboriginal word meaning “look around you, pay attention” – a gentle call to notice the rugged beauty of country. It also honours the ancient Wollemi pine (Wollemia nobilis), a rare and resilient living fossil found only in a single canyon system, standing as a powerful symbol of survival and deep time. Wollemi Wanders recently took an important step in its sustainability journey by completing Ecotourism Australia’s Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard. With support from Destination NSW, the family-run operator joined a growing network of tourism businesses assessing how their practices measure up across four key areas: Sustainable Management, Environmental Impacts, Socio-Economic Impacts, and Cultural Impacts. For founder Andrew Mitchell, completing the Scorecard was about putting assumptions to the test. “Our business is all about getting people into nature to experience the untamed beauty of the Sydney and Blue Mountains regions. One would expect that for any business such as ours, sustainable practices would be core business. But, as in science, you have to test your assumptions! I really wanted to know how we were doing, and how we could improve.” Developed in collaboration with Tourism Australia, the Scorecard serves as a practical entry point, enabling operators to benchmark their efforts, recognise achievements and uncover new opportunities to strengthen their sustainability practices. For Mitchell, it became much more than a benchmarking tool – it offered clarity and direction. “The program provides a clear path forward through a jungle of issues, some of which I had not considered previously. It offers a detailed and independent assessment of where you are and what you can do to improve across many different areas of your business.” Among the most valuable insights was the importance of communication and collaboration. “Some of Wollemi Wanders’ sustainability measures are known only to us. Communicating these measures would set an example and spread awareness of the issues and the solutions. Another insight was the advantage of linkages with other local businesses in promoting regional areas and drawing tourists in. A rising tide raises all the ships.” Andrew admits that, without the grant support, the process may have been postponed. “I had briefly considered , but given the amount of work required it was something I had been putting off. The Destination NSW grant focused my mind on getting it done within the timeframe.” Looking ahead, Andrew sees certification as the natural next step. “In a growing nature tourism market, one needs evidence that one is doing the hard yards to be sustainable. I think it will become increasingly important as a means for customers to distinguish sustainable business from others (and hopefully to vote with their feet!).” For Wollemi Wanders, completing the Scorecard wasn’t about meeting requirements or chasing recognition. It was about deepening their promise to lead with authenticity, care for the land they operate on, and spark a lasting appreciation in visitors for the fragile beauty of Australia’s wild places. Click here to learn more about Wollemi Wander’s sustainable efforts, and book your stay: https://www.wollemiwanders.com.au/ Wollemi Wanders completed their Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard on 11 August 2025 and is a snapshot of their current sustainability practices. The scorecard is not a certification and is valid for 12 months upon completion.
Willow's Retreat
From tree-top tents to a fully insulated eco-lodge, Willow’s Retreat offers a serene sanctuary for wildlife watchers and wellness seekers alike.
Kangarutha Farm
From a 1960s cattle property to a modern eco-retreat, Kangarutha Farm values lasting sustainability.
Into The Wild Escapes
In a world that rarely slows down, Into The Wild Escapes creates sanctuaries where simplicity, serenity and sustainability go hand in hand.
Strengthening Sustainable Tourism in the Indian Ocean Territories
Strengthening Sustainable Tourism in the Indian Ocean Territories Ecotourism Australia is proud to share the findings from a transformative project to support sustainable tourism in the Indian Ocean Territories (IOT), on both Christmas Island and the Cocos Keeling Islands. This ambitious initiative saw us partner with the University of Queensland and the Christmas Island Tourism Association, thanks to a Parks Australia grant, with the aim to build both local business capacity and community engagement to deliver sustainable tourism experiences. Central to our role was the delivery of the Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard—a benchmarking tool designed to help tourism operators across the IOT assess, improve, and celebrate their sustainability practices. The Scorecard provided participating businesses with: A personalised assessment to identify strengths and opportunities Recognition for sustainability achievements Actionable insights for further progress on their sustainability journey. Participating businesses encompassed a broad range of operators, from accommodation providers and tour operators to restaurants, attractions, and visitor centres. Ecotourism Australia project lead Shea Wittig visited the IOT on three occasions to provide one-on-one coaching and group workshops to help support businesses on their sustainability journey. “It was such a privilege to be involved in this project and see the burgeoning tourism industry developing in such a unique part of Australia. From watching reef sharks and turtles ride the waves on Cocos Islands to experiencing the rich cultural diversity of Christmas Island, the highlights were unforgettable. Most of all, it was so rewarding to support the passionate local operators who make these islands so special.” Shea said. In addition to supporting operators complete the Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard, our team closely collaborated with the University of Queensland to ensure community voices shaped the future of tourism on Christmas Island. Key aspects included: Supporting a targeted research survey on residents’ attitudes and preferences Assisting in presenting findings at local industry forums and government meetings Amplifying local input by integrating community priorities into destination planning recommendations Through this project, we advocated for the vision that nature-based tourism can underpin future prosperity in the IOT, especially as the region prepares for a post-mining future. The project’s key recommendations, which include a focus on robust destination planning, appointment of tourism experts in government, expanded support structures, and alignment with community aspirations, will ensure that tourism growth remains responsible and grounded in local values. Read the full report for further details on the project and Ecotourism Australia’s collaborative approach to sustainability in the IOT.
Sydney Harbour Marriott Leads in Sustainability
Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel becomes first Sustainable Tourism Certified Marriott in Australia Ecotourism Australia is delighted to announce that Sydney Harbour Marriott has met globally recognised sustainable tourism criteria to become the first Marriott International Hotel in Australia to achieve their prestigious Sustainable Tourism Certification. This recognition by Ecotourism Australia highlights Sydney Harbour Marriott’s commitment to meeting best-practice standards across environmental, socio-economic, cultural and sustainable management principles. The hotel’s initiatives include ‘Serve 360, their sustainability and social impact platform guiding eco-conscious actions such as implementing energy efficiency systems, prioritising water conservation, and championing sustainable and local produce sourcing for menu items. Additionally, their ‘Connect Responsibly’ initiative allows their numerous event planners and attendees to meet sustainability objectives. Ecotourism Australia CEO, Elissa Keenan applauded the exceptional commitment of Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel. “Congratulations to Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay for taking this significant step on their sustainability journey. Their enthusiasm for and alignment to globally recognised sustainable tourism standards is a testament to their team and their commitment. “We are proud to announce that Sydney Harbour Marriott is the first Marriott property to achieve our Sustainable Tourism Certification, and we look forward to working with Marriott to certify more of their Australian properties over the coming years.” Sydney Harbour Marriott General Manager, Bernhard Langer, said achieving Sustainable Tourism Certification represents a significant step forward in the hotel’s ongoing journey towards sustainability and responsible tourism. “Achieving Ecotourism Australia’s Sustainable Tourism Certification is a proud milestone for the Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay. Guided by Marriott’s Serve 360 Sustainability Program, we’ve embedded environmentally responsible practices across every aspect of our operations, from reducing energy and water consumption to improving waste management and building strong partnerships with our local community. “This recognition reaffirms our commitment to minimising our environmental footprint as a hospitality leader, while continuing to deliver exceptional guest experiences as we work towards a more sustainable future.” Achieving global best-practice Sustainable Tourism Certification is a meticulous process, involving over 200 key criteria across four pillars of sustainability. Certification involves an initial third-party audit, followed by periodic independent audits to maintain certification and demonstrate ongoing commitment to sustainability. Accommodation providers who have obtained Sustainable Tourism Certification from Ecotourism Australia now have the option to add their certification to their Booking.com listing, making demonstrating sustainability credentials easier than ever. END Media contacts: Ecotourism Australia – Myv Costelloe, Stakeholder Engagement Manager e: myv@ecotourism.org.au ph: (07) 3256 6777 Sydney Harbour Marriott – Jayshree Sabhlok, Senior Manager – Brand, Marketing and Digital e: Jayshree.Sabhlok@marriotthotels.com About Ecotourism Australia Ecotourism Australia is a non-government, not-for-profit organisation, established in 1991, that promotes and supports Australia’s visitor economy through building capacity and actively promoting sustainable tourism operations and systems. Our legacy program – ECO Certification – was the world’s first national ecotourism certification program and the Sustainable Tourism Certification, launched in 2022 supports non-nature based businesses achieve global best-practice. Today there are some 2200 accommodation, tours and attractions certified by Ecotourism Australia. About Marriott Hotels® With about 600 hotels and resorts in over 70 countries and territories around the world, Marriott Hotels continues to elevate the art of hospitality – placing people first is the brand’s living legacy – ensuring guests always feel deeply cared for throughout their stay. Marriott Hotels raises the bar by consistently delivering heartfelt service, with modern, comfortable spaces, and by providing experiences elevated beyond the everyday. As global travelers needs and expectations evolve, so does Marriott Hotels, leading the industry with innovations including the Greatroom lobby and Mobile Guest Services that embrace style, design, and technology. For more information, please visit www.marriotthotels.com, and stay connected on Facebook, @marriott on X, and @marriotthotels on Instagram. Marriott Hotels is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments, and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit marriottbonvoy.com.