Wilson Island, Capricorn Coast – Image: Tourism Australia
Three ECO Certified destinations in Australia have been nominated in the prestigious Green Destinations Top 100 Stories, with Capricorn Coast entered in the Thriving Communities category, Central Coast in Business & Marketing, and Townsville in Environment & Climate.
Now in its 12th year, the Green Destinations Top 100 Stories is the world’s largest collection of sustainable tourism initiatives, celebrating destinations that are redefining what it means to travel responsibly, according to Ecotourism Australia. The annual competition highlights destinations and tourism businesses that make a meaningful impact through sustainable practices, inspiring others to follow their lead.
“These three nominations highlight the transformative impact of our ECO Destination program, which equips destinations to embed sustainability at the heart of their tourism operations,” said Elissa Keenan, CEO of Ecotourism Australia.
“By adopting ECO Certification, destinations are not only able to grow their tourism economy sustainably but also set a benchmark for excellence, demonstrating how economic success, environmental protection and community empowerment can go hand in hand.”
Capricorn Coast – Thriving Communities
The Capricorn Coast’s story “Stronger Than the Storm: Building a Thriving Community for a Sustainable Future” showcases how this resilient regional destination transformed a decade of natural disasters into a catalyst for sustainable development, community strength and environmental leadership.
An example of a major initiative is the $54 million Yeppoon Foreshore Redevelopment, transforming a Cyclone Marcia-impacted coastal space into a resilient, vibrant destination that celebrates the Capricorn Coast’s natural beauty and beach culture, providing parks, promenades, lagoon pools, gardens, and pavilions for locals and visitors.
Chief Executive Officer Mary Carroll said the recognition highlights the strength of the region’s united approach.
“To be recognised alongside world-renowned destinations puts the Capricorn Coast on the Southern Great Barrier Reef on the global map as a leader in sustainable tourism, proving what small communities can achieve when united with purpose,” Carroll said.
“This achievement reflects the collaboration of our whole community — local government, environmental, First Nations, community groups, businesses, schools, and volunteers — embracing environmental, cultural and economic sustainability.”
Capricorn Coast achieved ECO Destination Certification in 2024.
Stockton Sand Dunes, Anna Bay, Central Coast – Image: Tourism Australia
Central Coast – Business & Marketing
The Central Coast is celebrating their fifth consecutive nomination, this year for their story “The Green Dream: Conscious Campaigns Unearthing an Eco Destination,” showcasing how the region elevated its ECO Destination status through innovative marketing campaigns and strong community collaboration.
Facing the challenge of promoting their destination while simultaneously addressing perceived concerns around over-tourism, the Council adopted a proactive, whole-of-region approach that reframed visitation as an opportunity to protect and celebrate the environment. Initiatives such as the Love Central Coast digital campaign produced striking video content, an online sustainability pledge and a bespoke eco-itinerary highlighting certified operators and nature-based experiences.
Complementing this digital strategy, the new Visitor Centre Sustainability Wall and practical programs like the Ground Swell Litter Lab Masterclass provided both visitors and operators with tools to reduce their impact. Together, these efforts strengthened conservation, empowered local businesses and cemented the Central Coast’s reputation as a pioneering, community-driven ECO Destination.
Central Coast was the 3rd ECO Destination in Australia, achieving certification in 2022.
Orpheus Island near Townsville, Great Barrier Reef – Image: Tourism Australia
Townsville – Environment and Climate
Townsville’s story, “A City Working with Nature and Biology to Rapidly Restore and Regenerate the Natural Environment Following Disasters,” highlights how the city turned the challenges of extreme weather and record-breaking rainfall into a catalyst for innovative, nature-based solutions and community-driven environmental resilience.
Confronted with flooding, blackwater contamination, riverbank erosion and threats to ecosystems and public health, Townsville City Council and its Natural Environment Subgroup implemented a suite of biological and regenerative interventions – from biologically activated soils and riverbank restoration to eco-friendly mould control distributed through community hubs. Initiatives such as the Weeds to Healthy Soils program and targeted blackwater treatments not only mitigated immediate disaster impacts but also strengthened long-term ecosystem resilience through a holistic approach to urban environmental management.
Townsville Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney said the recognition was a great honour and reflected the city’s resilience, adaptability and practical approach to disaster recovery.
“In 2025 Townsville and North Queensland faced one of the toughest wet seasons in memory,” Greaney said.
“However, it presented our community, including Council, local contractors and volunteers, a chance to come together and deliver practical solutions that were focused on building back a healthy city for locals and visitors while supporting the visitor economy.
“Earning a place alongside some of the world’s most respected destinations in the Green Destinations Awards shows that Townsville is leading the way in sustainability, and that’s something of which we can be proud.”
Townsville was awarded ECO Certification in 2024.
About Ecotourism Australia
Ecotourism Australia is a non-government, not-for-profit organisation, established in 1991, that promotes and supports Australia’s visitor economy through building capacity and actively promoting sustainable tourism operations and systems. Our legacy program – ECO Certification – was the world’s first national ecotourism certification program and the Sustainable Tourism Certification, launched in 2022 supports non-nature-based businesses achieve global best-practice. Today there are more than 2300 accommodations, tours and attractions; and 14 destinations certified by Ecotourism Australia.
About the Green Destinations Top 100 Stories Awards
Stories in the Green Destinations Top 100 are evaluated on their effectiveness, innovation and potential for replication, shining a spotlight on destinations that are setting the global standard for sustainable tourism leadership. Recognition at the annual Green Destinations conference provides international acclaim, while winners announced at the prestigious ITB Berlin conference receive global exposure and promotional opportunities through Green Destinations’ marketing channels and the Top 100 Ceremony.
