Australia east coast adventure, 20 days

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

On our Oz East Coast trips, overnight buses are used between several destinations, reducing the need for some domestic flights during the itinerary. Throughout the trip, travellers also use local transport such as buses and trains, alongside activities including kayaking, bike riding and walking.

At the start of the trip, travellers receive information about our Small Change initiative, including practical ways to reduce their environmental footprint while travelling. Through our partnership with Skyscanner, travellers can also view information about the estimated emissions associated with their flights.

Vegetarian and vegan meal options are available throughout the trip for travellers who choose them.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

As part of our Small Change initiative, we support a range of environmental and community focused projects. In 2019, we partnered with Eden Reforestation Projects to plant 10 trees for every booking received. Since late 2023, we have also worked with Path Net Zero to measure the emissions associated with our tours and with Veritree to support verified tree planting projects.

We also support organisations such as Trash Hero through beach clean up initiatives, and travellers may have opportunities to take part in informal beach clean ups during the trip where appropriate.

To help reduce the use of single use plastic bottles, travellers are encouraged to bring a reusable water bottle. As tap water is safe to drink in Australia, refill stations are widely available throughout the trip, including at our Sydney office, where filtered drinking water is available. Reusable INTRO bottles and tote bags are also available to purchase as alternatives to disposable plastic bottles and shopping bags.

We aim to minimise paper use in our Sydney office where practical, and recycling facilities are available. Many of the accommodation providers used throughout the trip also have communal kitchens with drinking water and recycling facilities.

During the trip, we work with a number of Eco Certified operators. On K'gari, travellers explore the island with Dingos, an Eco Certified operator that works with native Butchulla representatives to follow cultural protocols. In the Whitsundays, we sail with Eco Certified operator Prosail, and in Cairns, travellers visit the Daintree Rainforest with Uncle Brian's before exploring the Great Barrier Reef with locally owned Eco Certified operator Passions of Paradise.

We also conduct regular environmental reviews of our trips and suppliers to help identify opportunities to improve environmental practices and reduce impacts where possible.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

During Oz East Coast Adventure, we use a number of local suppliers for our activities, such as the Whitsundays trip and the 4x4 tour of K’gari.

We use local surf instructors in Byron Bay and have built a great relationship with them.

We also use local operators throughout the East Coast who provide valuable environmental and cultural education to travellers. During our time in the Whitsundays, the crew onboard share the importance of protecting the reefs and marine life, as well as small changes travellers can make to better look after the environment. On K’gari, we work closely with operators connected to the native Butchulla community to help travellers better understand the island’s Aboriginal history and cultural significance.

During our city orientations in Brisbane we learn of the Australian Indigenous culture, the oldest living culture on earth, which is as diverse as the lands they inhabit, encompassing many nations, languages, traditions and customs. It is important to understand this culture to reflect on Australia's history.

Our guides, transport providers and local team are provided with extensive training, support and benefits that go beyond just fair remuneration. They have the opportunity to not only show off their local area, but develop their guiding skills through our comprehensive training program. They also are given the opportunity to move to other destinations and expand their knowledge and skill set.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY

Out of everyone we employ and work with for this trip almost 100% of them are from Australia and these staff are paid higher than minimum wage in Australia.

We have a workplace diversity strategy in place to nurture equal employment without regard to race, gender, sexual orientation or nationality, as well as ensuring this trip is LGBTQ+ friendly.

The trip is suitable for people with limited mobility, vision, hearing and cognitive issues depending on the nature and extent of the condition or impairment.