Whale watching tour in South Australia

Planet

Recognised as a Green Travel Leader, Advanced Eco-Accredited Operator and Climate Change Innovator by Eco-Tourism Australia, now we are going even further, taking a regenerative approach to all our business operations to use our tourism business as a force for good to help tackle the current global crises.

Our mission is "conservation through exploration: protecting our planet by inspiring travelers, supporting local communities and boldly influencing the entire travel industry".

Our Director, Hassie, is recognised by Tourism Australia as a Sustainability Hero. From 2008 to 2021, he planted 1.2 hectares of native vegetation on his then property on the Eyre Peninsula.

Some of our other environmental practices include:
• Our guides have extensive knowledge of native plants and animals, indigenous culture and eco-tourism and will share this knowledge with our passengers
• We pay a premium for all of our ‘green energy’ electricity produced from renewable sources

We only work with other Advanced-Eco Accredited wildlife operators such as the Baird Bay Eco Experience where you have the opportunity to swim with wild sea lions and dolphins. Accommodation providers we work with must be environmentally responsible.

Part of the outback experience is to see native animals and local flora in their environment. Our guides all have a keen interest and respect for our flora and fauna. Wildlife is viewed but never provoked, chased or cornered. We explain to our passengers that noise must be kept to a minimum, to avoid rapid or sudden movement and to avoid camera flashes and to use safe night lights. Disturbance of flora is kept to an absolute minimum.

Where other organizations or community groups are involved, we pay entry fees, make purchases and create economic revenue. Our tour group sizes are limited to 7 people maximum, this size group can be managed to minimise any negative impact on the environment, the enjoyment of other people, the capacity of community services, the safety and stress of wildlife. We encourage the practice of low noise bush walking and special solo activities making our guests at one with the environment.

We minimise the use of our tour vehicle in preference for walking, traveling only on formed roads and tracks. Vehicle fuel and service requirements are purchased locally.

To minimise waste we choosing reusable or bulk containers for food and drink
and recycle drink containers, glass, plastics, metal and cardboard. In the past 15 years a focus on recycling drink containers has resulted in 15,000 bottles per year less containers going to landfill. On our camping tours all waste is taken with us.

Our Guides are educated to ensure the business performs in a sustainable manner, and they have the knowledge to educate our passengers. We engage the support of rangers, indigenous leaders & environmental groups to educate passengers about the local environment and educate passengers about behaving in environmentally friendly ways.

People

For the business to grow and be recognised for its vital contribution to the local economies, it is important to ‘shop local’ where possible. We continue to build local networks and businesses to support the local economy.

We use local operators to run our optional excursions, thus ensuring that money goes directly to the supplier and the community. The nature of outback regional and rural communities ensures that local staff and produce are utilised at all times. In the remote outback towns that we visit, almost all of the businesses are run by locals and while some produce is transported in, we always give preference to local fresh produce.

We promote close relationships with our suppliers and have long standing partnerships with many. By our visits and the payment of entrance and activity fees ensure that National and Conservation Parks are able to continue their vital conservation and education work. Through annual and access fees to national park authorities we provide revenue essential to the protection and maintenance of the parks we visit. We comply with the management plans of each park and assist by reporting adverse events or special findings to the park management.