Australia Eco Lodges – Lets Go Down Under!  

Discover the wild beauty of the Outback, rainforests, and reef with a stay in one of the unforgettable Australian Eco Lodges! From the Great Barrier Reef to the ancient Daintree Rainforest and the rugged landscapes of Tasmania, Australia is a dream come true for ecotourists. Enjoy wildlife encounters, sustainable adventures, and breathtaking scenery — while treading lightly on the environment. Australia Eco Lodges offer the perfect base for exploring this diverse continent in a responsible and unforgettable way. Nature is calling!

Australia Eco Lodges and Resorts

Ecotourism in Australia

 • Snorkeling and diving with respect for coral reefs.
• Wildlife safaris.
• Bushwalking and hiking in national parks.
• Aboriginal-guided tours.
• Volunteering in conservation or animal sanctuaries.

Flora and Fauna in Australia

Flora

• Waratah, iconic Australian bush flower.
• Eucalyptus trees – over 700 species, food source for koalas.
• Banksia and Grevillea – colorful flowers that attract birds.
• Spinifex grass and acacias – essential for the dry interior.
• Red River Gum, Scribbly gum and saltbush, to name a few native species.

Fauna

• Kangaroos and wallabies – found everywhere, from outback to forest.
• Koalas – in eucalyptus forests of eastern Australia.
• Wombats – mainly in Tasmania and southeastern states.
• Tasmanian devil – unique to Tasmania.
• Platypus – shy but can be spotted in quiet rivers.
• Cassowary – endangered, prehistoric-looking bird in Queensland’s rainforest.
• Numerous venomous species, which include spiders, scorpions and stingrays. 

The Best Ecotourism Destinations in Australia

Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest (Queensland)
• UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Snorkel or dive with sustainable operators.
• Visit the rainforest with Aboriginal guides.
• Stay at Australia Eco lodges in Cape Tribulation.  

Blue Mountains (New South Wales)
• Spectacular cliffs, eucalyptus forests, waterfalls.
• Sustainable walking on the Grand Canyon Track or Six Foot Track.
• Good train connections from Sydney.

Kangaroo Island (South Australia).
• Rich in wildlife: sea lions, koalas, wallabies.
• Small-scale Australian eco resorts and nature parks.
• Flights or ferry from Adelaide.

Red Centre and Uluru (Northern Territory)
• Iconic outback, Aboriginal culture.
• Ranger-led walks. Stay at sustainable campsites.
Please respect the sacred land of the Anangu (members of some aboriginal tribes use the name of Anangu to describe themselves.

Freycinet National Park and ??Maria Island (Tasmania)
• Crystal clear water, white beaches, wombats and wallabies.
• No cars on Maria Island – perfect for walking and cycling.
• Tasmania is a leader in sustainable energy: the state is 100% self-sufficient in renewable energy generation.

Ningaloo Reef and Cape Range National Park (Western Australia)
• Swim with whale sharks or manta rays.
• Still less crowded than the Great Barrier Reef, but it is gaining popularity.
• Stay in one of the Australian Eco Lodges around Exmouth.

Suggestion for a 2-week Sustainable Itinerary in Australia

This itinerary is designed so that you travel overland as much as possible or by short flights. We recommend to stay in Australia eco lodges or sustainable accommodations.

Day 1–3: Cairns and Daintree Rainforest (Queensland)
• Eco-excursion to the Great Barrier Reef  
• Jungle tour with Aboriginal guide.
• Overnight stay in an Australia eco lodge in Cape Tribulation.

Day 4–5: To Sydney
• A short flight to Sydney is the only realistic option. A train journey from Cairns to Sydney is possible but would take approximately 2 days and 2 nights.
• Explore the city by bike or ferry.
• Overnight stay in an eco-friendly hotel.

Day 6–7: Blue Mountains travelling by train
• Visit Echo Point, Wentworth Falls and bushwalks.
• Stay in an Australia eco lodge or sustainable B&B in Blackheath or Katoomba.

Day 8–10: To Kangaroo Island (via Adelaide)
• Ferry from Cape Jervis to the island.
• Small group wildlife tours (that are sustainably oriented).
• Stay in an off-grid eco-retreat.

Day 11–12: Uluru (Red Centre)
• Travel from Kangaroo Island back to Adelaide airport, then take a flight to Yulara (most efficient way).
• Sunset at Uluru, walk around the rock (6.6 miles) or complete a smaller section.  Enjoy the scenery!

Day 13–14: Tasmania (Freycinet National Park or Maria Island)
• Short flight to Hobart.
• Hire a bike or go hiking.
• Stay in one of the Australia eco lodges on the east coast or Maria Island.

For tips to reduce your ecological footprint, visit our sustainable travel tips page.
Check Australia and Oceania Ecotourism for hotels and lodges.

Ecological Threats in Australia

Bushfires
Climate change has made fires more intense and frequent. The Black Summer fire (2019–2020) devastated over 247 million acres of nature and killed an estimated 3 billion animals.

Invasive Species
Rabbits, foxes, cats and toads disrupt ecosystems and threaten native species such as bilbies, (extinct but groups are working to bring it back) bandicoots and ground parrots.

Deforestation and Mining
Large areas of forest, particularly in Queensland, are being cleared for agriculture and mining. Habitat loss is the biggest threat to koalas.

Climate Change and Coral Bleaching
The Great Barrier Reef is suffering from repeated bleaching events. Ocean acidification and rising temperatures threaten marine life and corals.

Water scarcity and pollution
Overexploitation of river systems (such as the Murray-Darling) harms biodiversity.Pesticides and plastic pollution are a growing problem.

Australian Government Policy on Ecotourism and Sustainability

Various levels of the Australian government (federal, state, and territory) support Ecotourism Australia (an NGO who operates independently). Government agencies collaborate with Ecotourism Australia on sustainable tourism initiatives.The NGO manages certification of eco-accommodations and tour operators through the Eco Certification Program. Their fees for Australian eco lodges-tours certification are high. Just keep in mind that the smaller Australia Eco Lodges may not be able to afford this type of certification. This is part of the reason we created our Online Eco Rating Exam. Without a 3rd party visit, this is the best way to help fight “green-washing” and yet be affordable for all eco lodging.

Protected Area Management
The Government protects over 600 national parks and nature reserves, covering approximately 20% of the country’s land area. It works in collaboration with Aboriginal communities through joint management of parks such as Kakadu and Uluru-Kata Tjuta.

Sustainable tourism policy
 The Australian government, at both federal and state/territory levels, has increasingly recognized the critical importance of sustainable tourism for the long-term health of its environment, economy, and communities:
* Emissions Reduction Initiatives: helping tourism businesses measure and reduce their carbon footprint.
*Conserve natural and cultural heritage.
*Create sustainable infrastructure (e.g. eco-trails, solar energy in parks).
*Restrict visitors to sensitive areas.

Examples of Small-scale Conservation Projects

Phillip Island Nature Parks (Victoria)
Sustainably manages the famous penguin parade area.
Restores native vegetation and protects small penguin colonies.

Arid Recovery (South Australia)
Large-scale desert restoration project focused on reintroducing extinct species such as the bilby. Volunteers can help with monitoring and field research.

Ningaloo Turtle Program
Volunteer project to protect sea turtles during nesting season. Works with local Aboriginal communities.

Reef Restoration Foundation (Queensland)
Coral nurseries for the restoration of the Great Barrier Reef. As a visitor you can adopt a “coral tree”, which is an artificial structure that encourages coral to attach to and grow.

Australia Eco lodges and Travel Safety

Check in advance about the safety in Australia and in the places you plan to visit. You can also consult your country’s official government websites. For American citizens, this is the US Dept. Of State’s page on Australia.