8 eco tourism holidays in NSW

30 September 2015 Updated on Dec 21st, 2017

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Next time you book a holiday, think about how it will affect the environment. The early 21st century will probably be remembered by future generations as the dawn of the green age when mankind first became serious about protecting the environment. There is now scientific consensus that human activities have dramatically increased the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere causing significant climate change. So it’s no wonder eco tourism is a hot topic.

Help preserve the world we live in and book an environmental friendly holiday. Here are some best eco tourism holidays in New South Wales to get you started.

1-Lane Cove River Tourist Park, Lane Cove

Lane Cove River Tourist Park is located 10kms from the Sydney CBD. The bushlands and eucalypt forests of Lane Cove River National Park are a haven for native birds, bandicoots, tawny frogmouth and brush turkeys.

Park visitors stay in fully serviced cabins or their own caravans, campervans or tents. Every dollar spent in the park goes towards maintaining the environment and perpetuating carbon neutral footprint.

2-Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa, Wolgan Valley

It’s the kind of luxury resort that chooses to use local sandstone rather than marble from Italy. Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa is located between two national parks and is the only Australian resort in recent years to receive permission to build adjacent to a World Heritage area.

The resort supports a range of conservation practices and has a focus on endangered species protection.

Sustainability is part of everything the company does at the resort, from the construction and design approach to their food and wine philosophy, day-to-day operations and purchasing policy.

3-Q Station, Sydney

The restored former Quarantine Station at North Head offers spectacular views of Sydney Harbour National Park.

Twenty cents in every dollar collected is reinvested into conservation of Q Station or Sydney Harbour National Park.

Sustainability initiatives include solar energy collectors designed into heritage roofs and reusing water for bandicoot habitats.

4-The Byron at Byron Resort, Byron Bay

Unwind with spa treatments and yoga in a serene rainforest setting.

The resort has teamed up with Rainforest Rescue, a local not-for-profit organisation, to offer a carbon neutral conference package where carbon dioxide generated by each conference is calculated and offset by planting rainforest trees.

5-Crystal Creek Meadows, Kangaroo Valley

Be pampered in the privacy of a luxury spa cottage after a morning of canoeing or horse riding.

Staying at Crystal Creek Meadows won’t leave a carbon footprint.

The business is carbon neutral and is the first accommodation provider to achieve the highest certification level in the Climate Action Australia Certification Programme.

6-The Pullman Sydney Olympic Park, Sydney

The Pullman Sydney Olympic Park is the first five-star hotel to be built in Sydney where environmental sustainability has been factored into the development from inception.

The hotel’s solar panels have one of the best views of the city.

7-Bundanoon, Southern Highlands

Who would think that the sleepy village of Bundanoon – known for its Scottish Highland festivities – would be the first town in Australia to vote to ban commercially bottled water? Free water fountains are being installed in the town to replace the bottled water.

8-Montague Island Tours, Montague Island

The 9km boat trip from Narooma to Montague Island Nature Reserve is an educational adventure offering the chance to spot humpback whales and seabirds.

The operators have won multiple awards. Most visitors come on day trips but overnight guests can stay in the fully-restored five-bedroom Head Keeper’s Quarters, which was constructed in 1881.