Australia as an Ecotourism Destination
Australia is widely regarded as one of the World’s most sought after ecotourism destinations due to its rich culture and heritage and the huge variety of environments from deserts to rainforests and from coral reefs to eucalypt woodlands. Ecotourism experiences offer stimulating insights into Australia’s natural areas while ensuring minimal impact to the environment.
Australia is the only place in the world where two World Heritage areas meet; the Great Barrier Reef and Australia’s Tropical Rainforests. Visitors to one or more of Australia's Ten World Heritage areas will discover Australia at its most beautiful and exciting. World Heritage sites are chosen for their natural and/or cultural value, and Australia is proud to have three areas listed for both natural and cultural reasons.
The Ten World Heritage listed sites are also National or Marine Park reserves: Kakadu National Park, Uluru National Park, East Coast Rainforest, Willandra Lakes, Fraser Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland Wet Tropics, Tasmanian Wilderness, Shark Bay and Lord Howe Island.
Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park is joint managed by Anangu, the Traditional Owners at Uluru and Parks Australia. The interaction between Anangu Traditional Owners and the land is recognized as being of World Heritage value.
The Great Barrier Reef is undisputed as one of the world’s most important natural assets. It is the largest natural feature on earth stretching more than 2,300km along the northeast coast of Australia from the northern tip of Queensland to just north of Bundaberg. It is the largest World Heritage Area in the world.
The Tropical Rainforests provide a living museum with living descendants of plants originating from the ancient stock of Gondwana. Gondwana was a super-continent which existed hundreds of millions of years ago with Australia the last continent to break away. For 30 million years in Australia life evolved in isolation with the mountainous regions of the east coast allowing the ancient rainforests to survive with many species little changed since the evolution of the first flowering plants.
Australia provides for nature’s own theme park with a diverse range of ecotourism tours, attractions and accommodation options being available.
Ecotourism Experiences
Anyone can be a responsible traveler! You can get back to nature, or bathe in luxury at an eco spa retreat, hike into the rainforest, explore the city or travel to the exotic location of your dreams.
Responsible travel provides something to suit all interests and budgets while still ensuring minimal impact to the environment. Tribal Travel’s featured eco certified tour options include sailing, snorkelling and diving, walking, hiking and visiting waterfalls, 4wdrive tours, camping activities and island tours. Accredited operators undertake a range of tours in Australia’s World Heritage status National parks and Marine parks and visit local indigenous communities.
The diversity of environments in Australia is matched by the diversity of ecotourism experiences available; see the section below for some very special seasonal occurrences in Australia.
Seasonal Special Events around Australia
Humpback Whale Migration along East Coast
From late May to November thousands of Humpback whales migrate along the coast of New South Wales and Queensland during their seasonal migration to the warm waters of tropical North Queensland to give birth before returning to the Antarctic. Whale watching has become a key activity for visitors. Cruise operators offer whale watching tours along the east Australian coastline. The protection of whales in recent years means we are seeing more of these spectacular mammals each year migrating through Australian waters.
Swim with Minke Whale Encounters - Northern Great Barrier Reef
The only place in the world where the dwarf minke whales are known regularly to congregate is the northern ribbon reefs of the Great Barrier Reef system during May to July. Swimming with whales is a once in a lifetime experience: to encounter a wild animal that chooses to maintain contact, on its terms, evokes feelings of empathy that are truly awe-inspiring. The voluntary nature of the whales’ approaches to snorkellers and divers has allowed the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to issue permits to some operators in the northern Great Barrier Reef to conduct swim with the minke whales encounters. These whale encounters adhere to the code of practice which meets legal requirements and ensure the best experience for swimmers while minimising impacts on the dwarf minke whale. Operators work with researchers from James Cook University.
Coral Spawn – Great Barrier Reef
Annual coral orgies, the simultaneous mass spawning of corals on the Great Barrier Reef was first scientifically observed in 1981. It is now the focus of international research however nature cannot be totally predicted. It is notoriously difficult to actually catch them ‘at it’! Spawning is timed to coincide with periods when there are minimum tidal movements and for spawning to take place, water temperatures must be 27 degrees or more. But corals need a specific cue so they can release eggs and sperm into the water at exactly the same time. That cue is the full moon in November; on the 2nd to 6th night following it the majority of corals spawn. This is a great time to be on a liveaboard dive boat.
Staircase to the Moon- North West Coast
Staircase to the Moon occurs from March to October along the North West Coast and the best viewing spots are at Hearson Cove, Karratha and Roebuck Bay, Broome. This natural phenomenon occurs when the full moon rises over the exposed mudflats at extremely low tide, creating the optical illusion of a staircase reaching to the moon. Staircase markets are held at Town Beach, Broome where you can sample local fare, purchase crafts and delight in the talented entertainers.
Swim with Whale Shark Encounters – Ningaloo Reef
Experience a unique ocean experience in swimming with the largest fish in the ocean. From April to July each year the Whale Sharks converge on the nutrient rich waters of the Ningaloo Reef. The Whale Shark is the largest of the shark family but is a harmless plankton eater. The chance to snorkel with these gentle giants is the opportunity of a lifetime. These massive filter feeders which can grow up to 18m long, are easily identified by their huge size, wide mouth and distinctive pattern of white spots. Ningaloo Reef is one of the only places they appear regularly in large numbers. This encounter is governed by the licenses issued via the Department of Environment and Conservation.