How Australia's tourism industry is leading the way in sustainability

When it comes to scoring Australia’s sustainable report card, the travel and tourism industry has the opportunity to become a high achiever; let us explain.

Is it any wonder we’re yearning for the pure escapism of travel? The sobering realities of life in 2022 – from catastrophic floods to coral bleaching to the ongoing spectre of COVID-19 – are enough to send even diehard optimists scurrying for their suitcase. But when the act of escaping can also contribute to the very problems causing our hopelessness – particularly when it comes to the health of our planet – future-minded travellers are right to be asking: is travel in Australia sustainable? How does our country measure up?

Australia needs to do more to fight climate change

To be frank, in general, Australia needs to pull up its socks. The country’s embarrassing (lack of) progress on the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals saw it ranked dead last in an assessment of 60 countries for its policy response to the climate crisis. (And who can forget the dubious honour of winning the Colossal Fossil Award at COP26 in October 2021?) But when it comes to sustainability in travel specifically, Australia’s report card shows far more promise. In fact, the travel and tourism industry is shaping up as a key driver in the push for change.

As Tourism Australia’s head of sustainability, Penny Rafferty, puts it, the impetus for sustainability is baked right onto the very things the industry is built on. “The reasons people come here are our nature and wildlife. Our aquatic and coastal beauty. Our clean cities, and our incredible food and beverage scene, which is only made possible because we have clean air, water, soil, and vast, relatively unspoilt lands," she explains.

It makes sense. Why be in the game of taking visitors to see the Great Barrier Reef, for example, if you’re not doing everything in your power to protect it?

Turtle Great Barrier Reef Australia — Help protect the Great Barrier Reef. (Image: Tourism Port Douglas and Daintree)

Sustainability a core motivator for tourism operators

For many tourism operators (especially ECO-certified operators), sustainability has been the modus operandi from day one. For the rest of us, it may have taken a pandemic for us to recognise the impact of our jet-setting ways – brought home, no doubt, by images of Venice’s pristine waterways and Barcelona’s surreal crowd-free streets, transformed due to the sudden absence of the tens of thousands of tourists who’d usually flock to these cities on a daily basis. But it’s a positive side effect of COVID-19 we’re glad to be afflicted with, and one backed by data: research commissioned by Booking.com in the midst of the 2021 lockdowns found 61 per cent of travellers credit the pandemic for making them want to travel more sustainably in the future.

A man walks through the bush on the Central Coast, Australia — We’ve never had so much awareness and so much choice when it comes to voting with our tourism dollar. (Image: James Vodicka)

Sustainability needs to be about more than just the environment

Indeed, the pendulum has now swung so far that sustainable travel is ‘trendy’. Happily, clickbait headlines and earth-toned Instagram accounts are not the extent of the movement. The real changes are happening on the ground, and are being shaped by a fast-growing realisation that a truly sustainable travel industry can’t limit its focus to environmental concerns, but must also consider the sustainability of economies, communities and cultures.

Indigenous Tour of Royal Botanic Garden Sydney — Embark on an Indigenous-led tour of Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. (Image: Destination NSW)

Examples that have earned big ticks on our report card include national parks being handed back to Traditional Owners, destinations receiving eco-certification, and companies heeding the call from their customers and seeking accreditation with organisations like Ecotourism Australia or B Corp. We’ve never had so much awareness and so much choice when it comes to voting with our tourism dollar.

Explore the Coffs Coast with Wajaana Yaam Adventure Tours. (Image: Destination NSW)

How to make your tourism dollars count

As you’d expect, those very dollars are also key drivers of industry change – attracting sustainable travellers means big bickies. The latest findings from Tourism Australia’s Consumer Demand Project showed sustainability was ‘very’ or ‘extremely’ important to almost 50 per cent of travellers when organising a holiday, and crucially, that travellers continue to seek experiences that are not only good for them, but good for people and places they love.

Now that the conversation around sustainability has moved from the ‘Why?’ to the ‘How?’, we’re planning our itineraries accordingly. We’re actively seeking out nature-based getaways and Indigenous led tourism experiences. We’ve realised the appeal of isolated, off-grid cabins and agritourism-style farm stays over cookie-cutter hotels. And we feel empowered to ask questions, and to expect sustainability to be part of any experience we’re considering.

An off-grid stay at a tiny cabin — Travellers have realised the appeal of isolated, off-grid cabins and agritourism-style farm stays over cookie-cutter hotels. (Image Source: @the.wandering.boys)

A holistic approach to sustainable travel

For Rafferty, the only (ahem) sustainable approach to sustainability is a holistic one. “What I ask operators… is, ‘How does a product or experience have incremental positive impact on the environment that it operates in, the community that it engages with… and the culture, or cultures in our case, that it represents?’ "

This holistic viewpoint can also serve as a lens to place over all of our travel plans. How do we get there? Where do we stay? What do we do while we’re there? And how can we leave it better than we found it?

If we look at transport as the first step in the process, big providers such as Qantas have clear strategies and, as Rafferty puts it, “The airline has got some pretty audacious goals".

Qantas moves towards net-zero emissions

With a commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, tackling single-use plastics was first in the firing line. In the past three years, Qantas has cleared more than 80 million single-use plastic items out of operation, but it will take about five more years to phase them out completely. More pressing are the momentous carbon emissions created by flying, especially when aviation is predicted to grow by up to 300 per cent by 2050.

It’s why Qantas has committed $50 million towards the development of Sustainable Fuels (SAF) in Australia, setting a target of 10 per cent SAF in fuel uptake by 2030, and about 60 per cent by 2050. Its flights from London have been using a blend of sustainable fuel since the start of the year but, domestically, Australians need to look at options beyond flying, where possible, or at least ensure we fly direct and offset, which could include taking advantage of reward programs such as Qantas’s Green Tier.

Getting around sustainably on the ground

On the ground, Australia’s long-distance rail options score a C minus at best, which means road trips have remained an attractive option when it comes to domestic travel. But drivers are starting to think about sustainability – astronomical petrol prices fuelling the conversation – with electric vehicle sales tripling in Australia in 2021.

It’s still in its infancy, but Gold Coast start-up Outbound is putting the focus on ‘shared mobility’, placing electric vehicles and e-bikes into hotels, which can be hired through its app. Its first Tesla is now available for guests at Mantra at Sharks in Southport to book for $30 an hour and co-founder and CEO Luke Rust says they plan to be in 10 more hotels by the end of the year.

This hourly hire concept has been embraced by both hotels and consumers. “People are realising… they need to use a car while they’re visiting somewhere rather than renting a car for two weeks and using it three times," Rust says.

“There is this incredible collaboration between businesses and individuals who are driving sustainability in a very positive way," Rafferty reflects. “There’s an understanding that we either all win or we all lose basically. And so collaboration is an absolute hallmark of travel as a force for good."

Emus in Flinders Ranges National Park — When it comes to sustainability we either all win or we all lose. (Image: Michael Waterhouse Photography)

Sustainable accommodation options

In Australia, it’s our younger generations leading the charge when it comes to sleeping sustainably, with research by IHG Hotels finding the average young Aussie adult would be prepared to pay up to 34 per cent more for green accommodation. Catering to demand, its newest hotel brand, voco, is introducing a fleet of handcrafted bamboo bicycles for guests to use free of charge across five Australian and New Zealand locations.

A bicycle with flowers in the basket leans against a gray wall — Businesses are putting more stock into bikes, e-bikes, and electric vehicles for guests who wish to travel around the area. (Image: voco IHG Hotels)

Other hotel groups – large and small – are making similar moves to sex up sustainability efforts. After trialling the concept for a year, Ovolo converted all of the restaurants in its hotels across Australia to plant-based menus in February. The Ovolo team has even created a white paper to help out other companies looking to move to a vegetarian-led philosophy in the hope it will encourage more industry collaboration.

For Rafferty, what makes considered initiatives like these score an A plus is they don’t just make for better sustainability outcomes and a better future, but also for better travel. “Knowing that you are enjoying it, but your kids and grandkids are going to enjoy it too… isn’t that a richer experience?"

For more tips and advice visit our guilt-free guide to sustainable travel.

The wild, otherworldly beauty of The Grampians offers a perfect place to unwind, slow down and relax.

Not all holidays yield the same result; some are bustling, with endless things to do, events to book and places to see. All great things, but they leave you feeling more tired than before. Then, there are destinations that help you slow down, making real connections and participating in self-care.

Destinations like The Grampians : surrounded by untouched nature, allowing a chance to reconnect with yourself and loved ones at a slower pace.

Discover six science-backed ways to enjoy a holiday and feel restored at the end of it.

1. Practice mindfulness

Hamilton Gallery, the grampians — Be present at Hamilton Gallery. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Mindfulness – the practice of tuning into the present moment – has been found to help in reducing stress, anxiety and depression. One way to practice this art is by immersing yourself in art.

Hamilton Gallery has been in operation for over 60 years, and is not only home to many significant art pieces but also runs workshops and events for all ages to expand their awareness and understanding of art. The gallery is also the custodian of the largest collection of Gunditjmara artefacts held on country.

If you prefer to practice mindfulness through movement, visit Halls Gap Zoo to feed the meerkats – who wouldn’t feel better after focusing on these little guys? Or visit The Grampians Horse Riding Centre for an unforgettable morning ride through 10 kilometres of bushland. Enjoy the soothing movement of the horse and experience the bush anew.

2. Indulge in self-care

two people swimming in the Venus Baths, the grampains — Take an immersive bath in nature on the Venus Baths loop walk. (Image: Visit Victoria)

While the term self-care might conjure up images of indulgent bubble baths or a soothing massage, there’s more to it than pampering. Self-care is any action that protects your physical, emotional and mental well-being.

Like taking an immersive ‘bath’ in nature. Do just that on the Venus Baths loop walk – ideal for less experienced hikers or those walking with kids – stopping at freshwater-filled rockpools to cool down along the way.

Serious hikers (we’re talking some rock hopping and traversing slippery tracks) can tackle the Wurgarri, or Mount Sturgeon walk, which rewards the effort with panoramic views from the summit.

For those whose idea of self-care leans more towards arts and culture, a visit to WAMA is a must. Australia’s first national centre for environmental art is home to exhibitions that explore the natural world through film, installation, painting, performance and more.

3. Embrace nature

Boroka Lookout, the grampians — Soak in incredible views over Halls Gap at Boroka Lookout. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Spending time in nature is the ultimate way to soothe your body and mind. It’s been proven to help with all manner of things, from reducing stress to boosting cognitive function. And there’s no better place to enjoy it than among the raw sandstone, wildflowers and native creatures of The Grampians.

Rocklands Reservoir, spanning 6700 hectares, is an ideal spot. Breathe in the fresh air and enjoy the view over Grampians National Park. Cast a line, hire a canoe or follow nature trails along the water’s perimeter. How’s the serenity?

To appreciate nature’s imposing power, head to Splitters Falls. Here, find unrivalled tranquillity. Spring is the best time to visit, when bouquets of native spring flowers greet visitors.

Those with limited mobility will appreciate Boroka Lookout, a viewing platform surrounded by breathtaking views over Halls Gap and the eastern Grampians. Come early to witness a sunrise you’ll never forget.

4. Prioritise Rest

outdoor bathtub at Nook On The Hill — Recharge at Nook on the Hill. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Above all else, a holiday should be an opportunity to recharge, and there’s no better way to do it than to get a good night’s sleep. We don’t need to tell you how essential sleep is, for everything from mental health to strengthening the immune system.

Try Wanderlust Glamping , where guests fall asleep to the soothing sounds of nature after an evening relaxing around the fire pit and wake to your very own green oasis.

For pure luxury in the foothills of the Grampians National Park, look no further than Nook on the Hill – a handcrafted tiny house surrounded by rewilded, lush native Australian bush. It might be small, but Nook on the Hill has everything needed to unwind in style, including an outdoor bath for balmy nights.

For a modern farm stay, book at Mount William Station in the foothills of The Grampians. The station combines old-world charm with modern amenities and easy access to everything this region has to offer.

5. Engage Your Senses

Salingers Cafe, destinations that help you slow down — Indulge in a meal at Salingers. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Few human senses are as fun to indulge in as taste. A meal at Salingers in Great Western is the ultimate treat, and not only for the taste buds. The food is excellent, but Salingers’ really unique attraction is the bustling beehive that lives within the walls of the historic building.

For an expertly smoked burger, ribs, or beef brisket, head to Flame Brothers in Halls Gap. Tuck into delicious food while you enjoy the view.

If you prefer your senses heightened by the pump of adrenaline, Grampians Soaring Club offers an eagle-eye view of the Grampians National Park and Pyrenees Ranges from a glider. Take in the sights with a cross-country flight, ridge soar, or altitude wave flight.

6. Connect and reconnect

The Dimboola Imaginarium, Wimmera Mallee victoria — Step into the whacky Dimboola Imaginarium. (Image: Denis Bin)

Making shared memories is a wonderful way to reconnect with old friends or make new ones. These unexpected finds make it easy to discover something new in The Grampians.

Amateur geologists will delight at the Kanawinka geotrail, which covers 60 sites over Australia’s most extensive volcanic province. Visit the Penshurst Volcano Discovery Centre to learn more about volcanic activity in The Grampians, or head to nearby Mount Napier State Park for a trip into the Byaduk lava caves.

Pop in to the Ros McArthur Art Studio to peruse the gardens full of native and exotic plants and flowers that serve as the subjects of Ros’s still life paintings.

For a shopping experience like no other, head to the Dimboola Imaginarium . Far more than a shop, the Dimboola Imaginarium is an immersive experience where you’ll find all manner of quirky bits and pieces. Expect the unexpected.

Put these science-backed holiday benefits to the test during a trip to The Grampians. Plan your peaceful getaway at visitgrampians.com.au.

How Australia’s tourism industry is leading the way in sustainability