Ecotourism - Eco On Q

Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walk launched near Innisfail

The World Heritage-listed rainforest in the Wooroonooran National Park is now accessible to locals and visitors thanks to the opening of the Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walk.

Officially launched on August 24 by Queensland Premier Anna Bligh, the new canopy walk gives people the chance to see rainforest plants and animals, from the forest floor right up to the canopy.

Set 30 minutes drive west of Innisfail on the escarpment of the North Johnstone River gorge, the walk affords spectacular river and rainforest-clad mountain views.

"It’s a tremendous shot in the arm for the tourism industry in north Queensland and a stunning way to celebrate 100 years of national parks in this state," Said Ms Bligh.

Sustainability Minister Andrew McNamara said the walkway was built in the most environmentally sustainable way - minimising impacts not only during construction but for the life of the structure.

Durable, environmentally-sustainable materials were used - from walkway decking, wall cladding and seats made from recycled plastic through to open unpainted galvanised steel. Solar panels have been installed to supplement mains energy supply.

Minister McNamara said Hutchinson Builders had supported the local economy through significant purchases and employment opportunities during construction.

According to Oliver Schreiber, Managing Director of Wooroonooran Safaris, the canopy walk offers a unique nature-based experience.

"The canopy walk has been 15 years in the planning, was constructed in partnership with the indigenous Mamu people and its construction was environmentally sustainable," Mr Schreiber said.

"Mamu is the biggest project in the Wet Tropics since the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and will become one of the Australia’s tourism icons."

For more information about the canopy walk go to: www.epa.qld.gov.au

Queensland’s National Parks 100 years

Queensland’s National Parks are 100 years young and while they won’t be getting a telegram from the Queen, they will receive their own brochure.

The brochure is a key piece of a campaign which will invite Queenslanders to experience a national park. The brochure will showcase 100 things to see and do in Queensland National Parks and will be distributed throughout the state via the Sunday Mail on October 12. The campaign will be supported with an online campaign including e-direct mails, search engine marketing and advertising on www.ourbrisbane.com.au.

Consumers will also be invited to enter a competition to win a $5000 holiday voucher to enjoy a Queensland natural experience, by submitting a photo of themselves experiencing a Queensland National Park. The images will be submitted via the Eye on Q website.

The campaign will run until November 30.

New ‘Great Walk’ takes on water

The widely successful More Great Walks of Queensland program has added another jewel to its crown, the Whitsunday Ngaro Sea Trail.

Named after the traditional owners of the Whitsundays, the Ngaro people, this latest walk will allow visitors to follow in the indigenous peoples’ footsteps and experience a remarkable journey over land and sea.

Track work is well underway and a ceremony to open the walk is planned for late 2009.

The walk will have entry points on Hook, Whitsunday and South Molle Islands and the journey across the sea is part of the experience.

Visitors can travel by commercial boat, sailing vessel or canoe and trails will range from short and easy to long and challenging.

Best of all, the walk will transport visitors to iconic and culturally significant places including the pristine white sands of Whitehaven Beach to ancient rock art at Nara Inlet.

See the website for more information: www.epa.qld.gov.au/greatwalks

Sign up now for Green Globe Lite Health Check Framework

Green Globe is the premium brand for sustainability in the travel and tourism industry.

For proactive businesses that want to start addressing sustainability and climate change the Green Globe Lite program provides your business with an online user friendly Health Check Framework.

It assesses all key environmental performances areas within your business to help get you started.

By measuring your Greenhouse Gas emissions (carbon footprint) you will be prepared for mandated carbon reporting. You will be able to monitor how your energy and water consumption and you waste production compares to the Best Practice and Baseline figures for your industry sector.

To sign up for the Health Check Framework visit the Green Globe Lite website.

Low Isles and the lighthouse given Heritage Listing

Two icons on the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park have finally been formally recognised for their cultural and indigenous heritage with Low Isles and the Low Isles lighthouse being incorporated into the Commonwealth Heritage List.

According to Megan Bell, from Quicksilver Cruises: "This listing of Low Isles is very significant as it is the first time one location has received a dual listing for both Indigenous history and Australian cultural heritage."

Located 15 kilometres north-east of Port Douglas, Low Isles is a coral cay known as Wungkun by the Aboriginal people.

Low Isles is an important indigenous and cultural site for the KuKu Yalanji and Yiragandi people as the sea country for both groups overlaps at Low Isles.

The Low Isles lighthouse was built in 1878 and it was vital in guiding ships through the main channel between Port Douglas and Cairns. In 1993 the lighthouse became a fully automated, solar beacon.

To find out more about Low Isles and Quicksilver Cruises go to: www.quicksilver-cruises.com

ATE does its bit for the environment

The Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) did its bit for the environment in Perth from June 14-20.

The ATE theme for this year was ‘Green’ and in keeping with this, delegates’ manuals were distributed digitally and marketing material was made available on memory sticks or online.

Tourism Queensland jumped onboard and produced a ‘Going Green’ product guide for distribution to international media and buyers.

Also, each Queensland product showcased its own ‘Green’ initiatives and showed how they are moving to provide sustainable tourism in the future.

All of these great initiatives led to less paper usage and less waste. Well done to all involved on a sustainable ATE.

TQ attends birdwatchers’ fair in UK

Tourism Queensland representatives attended the United Kingdom Bird Fair in Rutlege, UK in August armed with copies of the ‘Birdwatching in Queensland’ brochure.

The brochure, supported by TQ, Tourism Tropical North Queensland and 20 Queensland operators, proved to be a very useful marketing tool, with over 1,000 copies distributed.

TQ also facilitated a product development workshop for specialist travel trade on the Saturday night of the fair. The workshop was popular with attendees and key trade representatives alike.

Pictured: Neil McGilp & Liz Cayzer (Jabiru Safari Lodge), Peta & Jon Nott (Rosegums) & Jo Devine (TQ) on the stand.

Did you know that 2008 is International Year of the Reef?

The International Year of the Reef is a worldwide campaign to raise awareness about the value and importance of coral reefs and threats to their sustainability, and to motivate people to take action to protect them.

Whitsunday Eco Certified cruise operator Fantasea Cruises is meeting the challenge head on in promoting and encouraging ecologically-responsible and sustainable tourism within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

CEO of Fantasea Mr Hume Campbell says that during the International Year of the Reef, the Fantasea Foundation will work to improve community knowledge to help conserve one of the most beautiful and significant tourism areas of Australia.

"As the region’s leading marine tour operator it is our duty to set an example to others and hope that they follow our lead," he said.

More information on the International Year of the Reef can be found at: www.iyor.org

National Geographic Kids Magazine Hands on Explorer trip

National Geographic Kids Hands-On Explorer Challenge is a U.S. national essay and photo competition to promote hands on exploration among America's youth.

The idea was that future ecologists, photographers, marine biologist etc - the people who are "active in the National Geographic world" would enter and participate.

Forty-five visitors from the U.S.A. (including children aged 9-14) travelled to Australia in July to experience world heritage rainforest, Australian flora and fauna, the Great Barrier Reef and Australian indigenous culture. The expedition, which was supported by Tourism Queensland, was led by National Geographic experts and was accompanied by a media crew.

National Geographic Kids is published ten times a year and has a circulation of 1.3 million.

Eco on Q - last edition

Eco on Q is moving with the times and this will be the final edition. Information of interest to Eco on Q subscribers is planned as part of a proposed new e-newsletter by Tourism Queensland’s Industry Development team.

The newsletter will focus on industry sustainability and climate change. Feedback from our subscribers has indicated that such a focus is welcomed. Eco on Q subscribers will be included on the distribution list for this new e-newsletter. If you would like to be removed from the distribution list, please advise us by emailing: eco.onq@tq.com.au

You'll also find Eco and nature based news stories, as well as general tourism information in Tourism Queensland’s weekly e-newsletter, Tourism on Q.

Please click here if you would like to subscribe to Tourism on Q.

Snippets:

• Gold Coast Tourism is taking the lead in keeping international product planners informed about green initiatives. They are producing a Product Guide, outlining eco-friendly itineraries, that leave a minimal carbon footprint. The Guide will include advice on Eco-certified Gold Coast accommodation, carbon-emission friendly activities, eco tours, natural attractions and wildlife conservation.

• 52 new trees have been planted along Noosa's Hasting Street as part of a recent redesign and upgrade.

Best Practice: Hidden Valley Cabins

Far away from the Garnaut Report, the Ministry of Climate Change in Canberra and the slew of environmental consultants in our capital cities, one small ecotourism business north-west of Townsville has quietly achieved what many have thought to be impossible - carbon neutral status.

According to Hidden Valley Cabins, owner and proprietor Ian McLennan the company is the first carbon neutral accommodation and tour company in Australia.

"Being carbon neutral probably wasn’t our goal at the start," Ian admits.

Click here for the full story on Hidden Valley Cabins and their tips for becoming energy efficient.

New Queensland ECO Certified products

Mossman-based tourism operators Kuku Yalanji Dreamtime (KYD) received notification it had retained ECO Certification in June this year. Kuku Yalanji Dreamtime also ensures all of its tour guides have formal training at TAFE and with local Aboriginal Elders. Tour numbers also are kept to small groups. www.yalanji.com.au

Accommodation operator Red Mill House in Daintree, tropical North Queensland recently was awarded Advanced ECO Certification. The business maintains the philosophy of 'rethink, reduce, reuse, repair, recycle' to identify, manage and reduce its environmental footprint. Some of the initiatives the company has implemented include minimising greenhouse gas emissions by reducing power, water and fuel consumption, reducing waste-to-landfill by improving recycling practices, considering environmental factors in purchasing decisions and working closely with guests to continually improve the company’s management of environmental issues. Red Mill House also has installed energy efficient lights, has substantially cut back on the use of air-conditioning and has minimised the use of vehicles for transport. www.redmillhouse.com.au

Whitsunday dive operators ISLANDIVE achieved Advanced ECO Certification in July this year. The company has implemented a number of initiatives to maintain these environmental standards, including having staff that are trained above industry standards, not allowing guests to bring plastic bags on board and using educational entertainment tools in the form of their ‘Living Book’ slide show to teach people about the Great Barrier Reef. The company also will soon take delivery of a new purpose-built catamaran, which will be the first vessel in the area to have a built-in waste treatment plant onboard. ISLANDIVE also has teamed up with the John Perry Wilderness Reforestation Program as part of its drive to remain carbon neutral. The business only uses food that is sourced locally and is in season to reduce its carbon footprint. http://islandive.com/

Cooloola Canoe and Kayak Safaris, located just north of Noosa recently achieved ECO Certification. The company maintains environmental and business best practises throughout its operation by ensuring canoe trips are limited to no more than 14 people and that guests receive a comprehensive briefing before and after their canoe and kayak adventure. A day out with this company also includes an educational video called ‘Leave No Footprints’ put together by the Environmental Protection Agency. Waterways also are protected by no wash zones to reduce the carbon footprint of vessels used in this river habitat. www.tribaltravel.com.au

Kayak Noosa on the Sunshine Coast recently was recertified at Advanced ECO Certification level. Kayak Noosa also is on the way to minimising their carbon footprint by growing all their own salad and fruit ingredients for guest meals, using double kayaks with unique sail systems to reduce impacts on intertidal foreshores and mangrove systems, providing re-usable utensils and plates at meal times and limiting group numbers to 10 people. Kayak Noosa's office and workshop will shortly be supplied by solar generated power only. www.kayaknoosa.com

Congratulations to all of these new Queensland ECO Certified operators! For more information on Ecotourism Australia's ECO Certifictaion Program please visit: www.ecotourism.org.au/eco_certification

Did you know that if everyone in the world lived a typical Australian lifestyle, we would need the equivalent of three planet earths to supply our food, transport, shelter and services? How much carbon is your home using? Take a quick quiz to calculate your home’s carbon emissions. You’ll need your last four electricity and gas bills.
www.climatesmart.qld.gov.au/get_informed/carbon_calculator

Once you’ve calculated your home’s carbon emissions, why not take the seven day carbon challenge? www.climatesmart.qld.gov.au/get_involved/low_carbon_diet_-_for_community_groups

Got a question about ClimateSmart living? Ask Ranger Tim. For example: How do I know which household appliances use standby power?
www.climatesmart.qld.gov.au/get_informed/ask_tim

Qantas Sustainable Tourism Seminar

Brisbane - Wednesday 1 October 2008
Cairns - Thursday 2 October 2008.
Qantas will host a series of free Sustainable Tourism seminars for Tourism Operators around Australia providing practical information and hands-on training.
More information e-mail: qss@qantas.com.au or visit:
www.qantas.com.au/info/about/community/environment

Greenfest

Southbank, Brisbane 10-12 October 2008. Greenfest is Brisbane’s free green festival featuring music, speakers, art and film amongst other exhibitors.
www.greenfest.com.au/

Ecotourism Australia 2008 conference on Green Travel, Climate Change and Ecotourism

Adelaide, 17-20 November 2008.
Access valuable information on how we can make operational changes to reduce our environmental footprint and anticipate industry changes.
www.ecotourism.org.au/conference

Australian Protected Areas Congress 2008 (APAC08)

Sunshine Coast, 24-28 November 2008.
Inaugural congress will bring together leaders and experts in protected area management and research across Australian and Asia-Pacific region.
www.apac08.org.au