Australia

Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture dates back more than 60,000 years – and you can still experience and learn about these amazing cultures today. Aboriginal culture has very strong ties and connection to family, community and country.
Aboriginal people believe their ancestral spirits emerged from the earth and the sky so “being on country” is integral to the Aboriginal worldview and important to their way of life. Often ‘Aboriginal’ or ‘Indigenous’ can be used to describe Australia’s First Peoples, however many individual ‘nations’ make up this beautiful country so it’s best to ask individuals what they prefer to be referred to.
Take the opportunity to explore and get to know the local Aboriginal or Torres Strait nations of the area you are visiting.

In Australia, nature is everywhere – from protected areas to urban landscapes. Not only is this nature essential to the health, well-being and quality of life of visitors and local residents alike, it’s also fundamentally important to Australia’s economy. Everyone has a joint responsibility to protect and conserve it.
Travellers who are looking for hands-on, interactive and/or educational nature experiences should check the Green Travel Guide and choose tourism businesses which are ECO certified to make the best out of Australia green holidays. These businesses are committed to protecting Australia’s unique wildlife and contribute to conservation, ensuring Australia’s unique biodiversity and fragile environments are protected for generations to come.

Australia’s vast land is separated into 6 states and 2 territories, all of which have their own state government. You may find each state does things differently when it comes to plastic and recycling management; sometimes it is even different per region. However, you should find recycling bins in most locations, usually split into 3 categories: paper and cardboard, bottles and cans, and household items. Major supermarkets have collection points for your soft plastics to be recycled, so don’t throw them into the normal rubbish bin. Don’t forget to book your accommodation, tour or experience with an ECO certified businesses – by holding this certification they ensure quality waste minimisation strategies in their business.

There are numerous sustainability certifications to keep an eye out for when travelling around Australia on your green holiday. These are third party independently verified programs that are recognised by GSTC:
– ECO Certification
– Respecting Our Culture Certification
– Climate Action Certification
– ECO Destination Certification
– ECO Guide Certification
Find experiences with these certifications.
– EarthCheck Certification
– EarthCheck Sustainable Destinations
Find businesses with these certifications.
Visiting the Great Barrier Reef? Make sure you travel with a high standard tourism operator (HSTO). Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority recognised these businesses for best practice sustainability standards. Choose a HSTO. HSTOs may also have Master Reef Guides onboard.