Australian’s love their holidays and why shouldn’t they; Australia is full of so many beautiful place to see, visit and experience. But have you ever wondered what impact people visiting these places are having on our environment?

What is ecotourism?

Ecotourism attempts to reduce the destruction of our environment cause by tourism. It ensures that waterways stay pristine and protects fragile flora and fauna. Ecotourism helps to provide people with a greater understanding of the impact that humans have on the environment as well as giving a greater appreciation and gratitude of our natural habitats.

All these measures help to sustain a beautiful environment for the here and now as well as persevering it for future generations to enjoy.

What can I do to reduce my environmental impact?

When booking a holiday try and find accommodation and activities that are ecotourism certified. By simply being aware of your impact on our environment and making active choices to preserve it for generations to come you are help to do your bit to keep our country beautiful.

For further information see ask your local travel agent for a travel guide.

Daintree Birdwatching Tours

The Daintree area in Far North Queensland’s Wet Tropics region is one of Australia’s best birdwatching locations. Many international and local birdwatchers come to spot some of the 430 species recorded in this area. That is more than fifty percent of Australia’s avian species! Although not all of those are to be found in the lowlands or present year round.

The Wet Tropics has 12 of Australia’s native species including the Macleay’s Honeyeater, Pied Monarch and Victoria’s Riflebird. Other Australian species that can be found include the Mangrove Robin, Lovely Fairy-wren, Red-necked Crake and Double-eyed Fig Parrot.

There are many birdwatching tours available in the Daintree, both river-based and land-based. River-based tours take place in specially built boats with swivel seats and retractable roofs for spotting and photographing birds. These are accompanied by nature guides and are available at different times (sunrise/ sunset). Land-based tours include walks around the Daintree Village, the Daintree Rainforest, Cape Tribulation, the Atherton Tablelands, Mt Carbine, the Daintree Valley and more. There are also 4WD tours that will take you to explore the rainforest and Wet Tropics with all its wildlife. Tour times are often flexible to suit individual itineraries.

Birdwatching

Birdwatching is the hobby of observing and studying birds, often involving photography, videography and audio recordings. The term ‘birdwatching’ was first used in 1901, with the term ‘birding’ appearing in 1918. Today ‘birding’ and ‘birdwatching’ are used interchangeably, although the former is the preferred form as it does not have some of the negative connotations of the latter.

The term ‘twitcher’ is also used for birders who travel long distances to find a rare bird to be then checked off their list. The term originated in the 1950s, and the main goal of ‘twitching’ is to accumulate species on a list. This is a popular competition in countries such as the UK, the Netherlands, Denmark, Ireland, Finland and Sweden.

What is bushwalking?

Bushwalking is an Australian term for a long walk or expedition in the bush (land covered with dense vegetation, often remote from human settlements). The term tramping is often used for overnight walks, while bushwhacking is applied to walks through dense forest where the vegetation must be pushed aside to progress forward. In the United States and the United Kingdom, the term hiking is often used to refer to a cross-country walk.

Bushwalking or hiking is a popular outdoor activity because many beautiful places can only be reached on foot, as well as being able to explore nature without the distractions and damage to the environment of motor vehicles. It is often one of the fundamental activities involved in mountaineering, camping, hunting and backpacking. For those bushwalkers following the principles of ecotourism, which aims to improve the natural environment rather than contribute to its deterioration, the Leave No Trace philosophy is applied. This involves stringent practices in regards to food waste and packaging, habitats of endangered species, wood fires, human waste and alterations to the environment.

Hiking Essentials

Taking a hike through the mountains or a rainforest can be dangerous, which is why some resorts offer guided tours. For example, at Heritage Lodge in the Daintree Rainforest, guests can explore the rainforest with a guided walk or river cruise. When a guided walk is not available, there are some hiking essentials that bushwalkers should especially carry with them to prevent dangers of dehydration, sun stroke, hypothermia, frostbite, sun burn, attacks by animals, or simply getting lost.

These essentials include a map, compass and GPS, sunglasses and sunscreen, extra food and water, extra clothing, a flashlight and batteries, first aid kit, matches, and a knife. Other items that can be useful when bushwalking include a water treatment device in case you run out of water, an ice axe if travelling through snow, insect repellent, and a communication device (mobile phone, two-way radio, flare, whistle, etc).