When our backyard is the Wet Tropics World Heritage Rainforest, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Bowling Green Bay Wetlands, it’s no surprise that the environment and sustainability are incredibly important to us. From our many eco-certified operators to our important sustainable practices, Townsville is known for our commitment to the environment and a sustainable future. This is just one of the reasons why Townsville is ranked as one of the world’s top 100 sustainable destinations. So, if you’re looking to immerse yourself in Townsville’s majestic environment while minimising your impact, read on to discover how you can embrace sustainability here in Townsville.

Townsville’s Sustainable Eco-Certified Operators

Sustainability isn’t just a word for our Townsville operators, it’s something they live and breathe every day. In fact, they’re so good at it, many Townsville operators and experiences have been recognised with ‘eco-certification.’ When you explore with our eco-certified Townsville operators, you know you’re travelling with a company that has been uniformly acknowledged as having a strong and well-managed commitment to sustainable practices.

Choose sustainable when you visit Townsville by exploring Magnetic Island with Big Mama Sailing, Aquascene Magnetic Island, and Magnetic Island Sea Kayaks, discovering the Great Barrier Reef with Adrenalin Snorkel and Dive and Yongala Dive, learning about Indigenous culture with Mungalla Aboriginal Tours and interacting with natural wildlife at the Billabong Sanctuary.

You can find a longer list of Townsville’s eco-certified operators here: Must-Do Eco Bucket List. 

Townsville’s Sustainable Hotels

 If staying sustainably is important to you, you’ll be glad to hear about the Townsville Eco Resort and Selina Magnetic Island. The Townsville Eco Resort is found just south of the Townsville CBD, with a multiple of accommodation options from camping, campervans, and luxury glamping tents (with air-conditioning, refrigerator, and a private bathroom!) available. This accommodation has advanced eco-tourism accreditation, and the electricity is offset by solar PV. Not only that, but the 14-acre property includes a wetland, so you’re almost guaranteed several animal sightings.

If you’re looking to stay at Magnetic Island, you want to put the eco-certified Bungalow Bay Koala Village on your list. Here you can have memorable encounters with Australia’s fantastic wildlife, as this accommodation doubles as a wildlife park! Under the guidance of a ranger, you can meet koalas and wombats while learning about crocodiles, lizards, and more. Embrace island life and get up close with Australian animals, all while knowing you’ve chosen a sustainable place to rest your head.

More ways to embrace sustainability in Townsville

There are many ways to embrace sustainability in Townsville North Queensland. Several of our cafes partake in the Green Caffeen programme. In a bid to reduce the drastically high number of disposable coffee cups thrown away in Australia each year, local cafes provide customers with reusable coffee cups to take away and return (whether that be at their next visit or to any other participating cafes). Over 20 Townsville region cafes partake in Green Caffeen, so be sure to visit Chill Parlour Cafe, the Coffee Tree Collective, The Hopiti Café, and more of our sustainable-practice cafes while in Townsville.

Head across to Magnetic Island and Palm Island with Sealink North Queensland. Gaining eco-tourism certification in May 2023, Sealink North Queensland has been recognised for its sustainable business practices in its ferry services as well as for its work with community and environmental groups.

And if you’re looking to celebrate sustainability, join us for the Rootbound Festival. The Rootbound Festival is a four-day celebration of music, arts, and land care, located against Nywaigi Country’s coastal wetlands, east of Ingham. With a focus on sustainability, Indigenous culture and the preservation of our ecosystem, the Rootbound Festival is more than just another music festival but a real opportunity to develop a space where nature, music and art work together. Join us next year?

How Townsville is leading the way on sustainability

We are aware, no matter how good they are, that there is more to a sustainable region than environmentally conscious hotels, transport, and experiences. The Townsville region has shown its deep commitment to sustainability, from the Townsville Council’s Creek to Coral programme, the development of the Sustainable Townsville partnership and Charters Towers’ Sustainable Futures road map. We’re already playing a part in the global push for a more sustainable present, and we are proud of the steps we are taking to ensure a sustainable future for all.