Explore Queensland’s eco-certified destinations (and what that actually means)

So you want to have a sustainable holiday? The question you’re probably going to start with, is where should I go? You’ve likely heard about eco-certified accommodation and experiences but now Queensland is leading the charge in Australia when it comes to eco-certified destinations.

Destination certification looks at the entire destination’s tourism offering and ensures that it remains in harmony with the local community and environmental assets long term.

Port Douglas and Daintree was the first region to be eco certified by Ecotourism Australia in 2019, using a Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)-approved process which assesses nature-focussed destinations on 90+criteria across four pillars – environmental, cultural, social and sustainable management. It’s a rigorous process that can take up to 18 months to complete and requires buy-in from councils and key stakeholders to ensure everyone is doing their bit.

Since then, Bundaberg has been officially eco certified and several more Queensland destinations are on their way to getting the green tick.

Use this guide to plan a sustainable holiday in one of Queensland’s eco-certified destinations.

Eco-certified Port Douglas Daintree

Eco cred: With so much worth protecting – the beaches, rivers, ancient Kuku Yalainji culture and the double act of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest – Port Douglas Daintree paved the way for eco-certification in Australia. Current day eco-warriors, in part, have the protestors who stopped the bulldozers during the Daintree Blockade in the ‘80s to thank for the foresight to celebrate this region and ensure its correct management.

Where to stay: The Advanced Eco Certified Thala Beach Nature Reserve is a shining example of how the protection and preservation of habitat leads to nature positive experiences that outlast all the fads. What was a degraded sugarcane plantation is now a thriving sanctuary. Sleep in treehouse-like bungalows tucked into the native forest canopy, indulge in local produce – much of it picked from the onsite gardens – and enjoy the private beach while being just 15 minutes from Port Douglas. Nearby, Daintree Eco Lodge and Spa, Silky Oaks Lodge, Daintree Wilderness Lodge, Mist at Cape Tribulation and Daintree Secrets Rainforest Sanctuary are also eco-certified.

What to do: This is a region that flies its green flag proudly with 22 eco-certified operators, many of which have been certified for more than 20 years. However you wish to explore in Port Douglas Daintree – reef adventure, Daintree river cruise, or floating down a pristine river in an ancient rainforest, there’s an eco-certified experience to suit.

Eco-certified Bundaberg

Eco cred: Bundaberg received its eco-certification in January 2023 – the fifth region in the country and second in Queensland. On the lands of the Taribelang Bunda, Gooreng Gooreng, Gurang, Bailai and the Wakka Wakka and Auburn Hawkwood (Wulli Wulli) Peoples, you can now be assured that treading lightly is the modus operandi here.

Where to stay: The Advanced Eco Certified Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort has been a beacon of sustainability in Australia for decades and is, not coincidentally, one of the best places in the world to get up close and personal with majestic manta rays and turtles as you snorkel the Southern Great Barrier Reef. Lady Musgrave Experience is another alternative, offering glamping overnight on their state-of-the-art pontoon while on land, Kelly’s Beach Resort in Bargara is a top eco-certified spot to base the family.

What to do: Having an eco-holiday in Bundaberg means sampling the paddock-to-pour ethos at the Bundaberg Rum Visitor Experience – the first tourism operator in Australia to achieve a global standard sustainability certification for tourism – and witnessing the miracle of life during turtle season (November to March) at the Mon Repos Turtle Centre. You can also take a day trip to Lady Elliot Island where as well as exploring underwater, you can get your hands dirty helping staff with their revegetation efforts. Here’s nine more surprising things about Lady Elliot Island.

Eco-certified Townsville

Eco cred: In 2020, Townsville was named one of the year’s top 100 sustainable destinations in the world by global certification group Green Destinations and the region is currently on its way to eco-certification with Ecotourism Australia.

Where to stay: If nature is your jam, book a site or glamping tent at the Advanced Eco-Certified Townsville Eco Resort for a peaceful stay set on 14 acres with its own wetland. Across the road you’ll find Billabong Sanctuary where you can cuddle a koala – or even a baby croc – and feed the cassowaries.

What to do: A trip to Townsville wouldn’t be complete without some time on Magnetic Island and there are a raft of eco-certified experiences on offer. Paddle into the sunset with Magnetic Island Sea Kayaks, head out for a sail with Big Mama Sailing, and explore some of Maggie’s secret beaches with Aquascene Charters. If you’re a diver, you can dive the iconic Yongala shipwreck or experience the Museum of Underwater Art from Townsville with the eco-certified Adrenalin Snorkel and Dive.

Eco-certified Scenic Rim

Eco cred: It’s not just Lonely Planet and the New York Times that rate the Scenic Rim as a significant destination in the sustainability stakes. With six national parks and a slew of eco-certified operators, the Scenic Rim is also on its way to Ecotourism accreditation.

Where to stay: Stay with one of the original stewards of sustainable tourism in this region at Mount Barney Lodge, O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat or Binna Burra Lodge’s new Tiny Wild homes.

What to do: As one of the Great Walks of Australia, Spicers Scenic Rim Trail showcases the Aussie bush and sees you sleeping in some pretty fine eco accommodation along the way. At the eco-accredited TreeTop Challenge Mount Tamborine, you can challenge the kids through more than 120 activities in the rainforest canopy. You could also take a guided bush walk with Horizon Guides, or get hands on with one of the citizen science activities available on Araucaria Ecotours’ wildlife-focused journeys from Brisbane.

Eco-certified Cassowary Coast

Eco cred: With a pledge to achieve eco-certification by the end of 2024, the Cassowary Coast already has several certified local operators and a run-sheet of unmissable natural attractions. Starting two hours south of Cairns, the land and sea of the Mamu, Djiru, Girramay, Gulngay, Warrgamay, Jirrbal and Bandjin Peoples is the place to spot a cassowary in the wild, explore lesser-known Great Barrier Reef islands, and chill between the palm trees.

Where to stay: With an aim to reach net zero fossil fuels, everything about the eco-certified Bedarra Island Resort proves luxury can be sustainable – a huge 360 from its hedonistic past when stars like Elton John would party in air conditioned rooms with seafood and Champagne flown in and diesel-guzzling generators powering it all. Nowadays, the drinks are still flowing but from a relaxed open bar where friendly staff will mix you a cocktail with housemade tinctures and the solar passive villas are open and breezy to allow you to enjoy the surrounding rainforest. Kick your shoes off when you catch the water taxi over from Mission Beach and leave them off - this is barefoot luxury at its finest.

What to do: Explore the fairytale ruins of the eco-accredited Paronella Park at Mena Creek and climb to the observation tower, 37 metres up, at Mamu Tropical Skywalk in the heart of the Wet Tropics rainforest, on the homeland of the Mamu Aboriginal People.

Watch this space

The Gladstone, Gympie, Livingstone, Winton, and Mackay regions have also received funding to work through eco-certification with Ecotourism Australia.

You can find more eco resorts across Queensland here and discover ways to travel more sustainably here.