In East Gippsland you will find the:

• Beautiful Wilderness Coast in the state's far east
• Rugged mountains of the High Country
• Vast waterways of the famous Gippsland Lakes
• Mighty rivers such as the iconic Snowy River and the world's longest silt jetties at the mouth of the Mitchell River

To find out more about exploring and enjoying East Gippsland, head to our tourism website, Visit East Gippsland.

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Ecotourism

East Gippsland is the first destination in Victoria to meet global best practice sustainability standards to achieve ECO Destination Certification, with Ecotourism Australia.

Nestled within the lands of Gunaikurnai, Bidawel and Monero, East Gippsland has long been a draw for nature enthusiasts.

The region boasts a treasure trove of world-renowned natural wonders, including the:

• UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve of Croajingolong National Park,
• culturally significant Buchan Caves,
• Alpine High Country,
• expansive Gippsland Lakes, and
• the picturesque Ninety Mile Beach.

East Gippsland's achievement of Ecotourism-level certification follows a meticulous independent assessment of 91 rigorous criteria.

This certification recognises the region as a nature-based tourism destination committed to the principles of ecotourism, encompassing cultural and natural interpretation and education for visitors, as well as the active involvement of local businesses in sustainable practices.

Get started on your business certification journey

Ecotourism is one of the fastest growing sectors of the tourism industry worldwide. Ecotourism Australia’s guidelines help businesses lead in ecotourism by ensuring destination sustainability and supporting local communities.

By following our best practice standards, you can provide a high-quality, recognisable product to consumers while increasing sustainable development.

ECO accreditation makes it easy for visitors to find genuine ecotourism operators. Ecotourism Australia offers three certification programs to recognise tourism businesses for their sustainable initiatives: ECO Certification, Sustainable Tourism Certification and the Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard.

The ECO and Sustainable Tourism certifications are in-depth processes that work with businesses across the key pillars of sustainability, while the Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard provides a snapshot of a business’s progress towards environmental sustainability goals.

ECO Certification

The ECO Certification program is a world-first and has been developed to address the need to identify genuine nature and ecotourism operators. It is designed for tours, accommodations, and attractions with a nature-focus to their visitor experience.

For more information, see the Ecotourism Australia business certification page.

Ecotourism Australia website

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Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard

The Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard is a pathway program for any tourism business at the beginning of their sustainability journey.

More travellers than ever are seeking out tourism related businesses who are actively demonstrating they are following sustainable practices. The scorecard showcases businesses strengths and provides insights into areas where improvement can be made, offering transparency and guidance to enhance sustainable practices.

WWF-Australia's Australian Wildlife and Nature Recovery Fund has supported Australian regions affected by the 2019-20 bushfires to participate in Ecotourism Australia's ECO Destination program.

Tourism operators in these ECO Destinations now have the opportunity to register for a complimentary Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard thanks to WWF-Australia's partnership.

To be considered, fill out this form to submit your Expression of Interest.

For more information about Ecotourism Australia Certification programs, please contact East Gippsland Shire Council's Tourism Recovery Projects Officer.

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Visitor information

Head to: Visit East Gippsland | The Place of East Gippsland Wonder

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Bairnsdale Visitor Information Centre

240 Main Street, Bairnsdale

1800 637 060

Bruthen Art & Information Centre

79 Main Street, Bruthen

(03) 5157 5111

Lakes Entrance Visitor Information Centre

2 Marine Parade

1800 637 060

Mallacoota Visitor Information Centre

70 Maurice Avenue

Metung Visitor Information Centre
3/ 50 Metung Road

(03) 5156 2861

Omeo Region Visitor Information Centre

179 Day Avenue

(03) 5159 1455

Orbost Visitor Information Centre

39 Nicholson Street

(03) 5154 2424

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