Community and Environment
Our vision is to inspire people to connect with and conserve the natural environment and culture of the Australian wilderness for generations to come. We are committed to making a real difference with sustainable tourism at the heart of what we do. Here’s how we give back to our local communities.
10 years of ECO certification.
In August 2023, We were certified among a handful of Australian Tourism operators as a 'Green Travel Leader' from Ecotourism Australia. For a business to become a 'Green Travel Leader', they need to maintain ECO certification for over 10 years. We pride ourselves as leaders in the eco-tourism space, giving our guests the best possible experience while keeping sustainability top-of-mind. This certification milestone showcases that we are continuously improving our products while keeping them in line with our long-term sustainability goals. Something that we know means a lot to our team, guests, community and the environment!
Tasmanian Walking Company is 100% carbon neutral
We do what we can to measure emissions and we measure our inputs carefully so that our carbon footprint can be offset. To this end, we have partnered with Carbon Neutral to support the Yarra Yarra Biodiversity Corridor - Australia’s largest revegetation project based on carbon capture and biodiversity. By planting trees and shrubs at selected key sites it will help reconnect the drier inland habitats with their coastal counterparts to protect and recover our endangered and declining woodland, and shrubland fauna.
Southwest Australia was identified by Conservation International (a world authority on biodiversity conservation) as one of only 35 globally significant Hotspots. The Yarra Yarra Biodiversity Corridor is located within this area.
Wildcare Tasmania
Wildcare is a team of volunteers and donors supporting the care and conservation of Tasmania’s wild places, wildlife and cultural heritage. Tasmanian Walking Company has partnered with Wildcare to help support the practical management of Tasmania’s World Heritage wilderness focusing on plant and animal conservation, infrastructure maintenance and education programs.
Our partnership extends to the Larapuna Weekend for the annual Ansons Bay to Denmark coastline walk where volunteers including our guides collect rubbish and pull sea spurge.
Tasmanian Aboriginal Guide Training Program
Tasmanian Walking Company and the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania partnered in 2015 to support an Aboriginal Guide Training Program. The program to date has enabled 10 participants to gain a recognised guide qualification at Drysdale TAFE in Tasmania and work placements at our Bay of Fires and Cradle Mountain Walks. Participants attain the necessary skills to provide interpretive and educational activities for visitors and share knowledge of Tasmanian Aboriginal heritage ensuring it is in line with Tasmanian Aboriginal community protocols.
Dates for new intake coming soon.
Tasmanian Parks & Wildlife Service
The Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) was established in 1971 to present, protect and manage our extraordinary landscapes in partnership with the community. In particular, PWS undertake this role working together with the Tasmanian Aboriginal community as the traditional and original owners, and continuing custodians of the land. The PWS manages 49 per cent of the land area of Tasmania which includes in excess of 2.9 million hectares of land and water.
Tasmanian Walking Company has contributed over $2.5 million over the past 5 years to the Tasmanian Parks & Wildlife Service to further their role in conserving the State's natural and cultural heritage while providing for sustainable use and economic opportunities for the Tasmanian community.
Larapuna Community Weekend
Every year, a large group of our staff join to the larapuna Community Weekend at Bay of Fires. The event provides an opportunity to meet and get to know the various community groups who have connection to larapuna, learn from each other, and get our hands dirty working on a range of conservation projects within the Mount King William National Park.
Bonorong Animal Rescue and Guide Training
Bonorong operates Tasmania’s largest 24-hour wildlife rescue service providing safety and care to thousands of animals every year with the assistance of trained community rescuers and devoted wildlife carers. Our partnership with Bonorong includes wildlife rescue drives where our staff volunteers to rescue and transfer injured animals to the wildlife hospital, and our guides take part in educational activities. We also provide our staff with wildlife rescue training opportunities.
Conservation Volunteers Australia
Tasmanian Walking Company partnered with Conservation Volunteers on the Cape Raoul Trailhead restoration project. The habitat at the entry point of Three Capes Track was weeded and planted with natives by teams of volunteers including our staff.
The Raptor Refuge
Tasmanian Walking Company’s support of The Raptor Refuge helps provide care and rehabilitation for sick and injured raptors and awareness of the plight of raptors in Australia.
With a shared philosophy toward education and environmental protection, our partnership with Raptor Refuge extends to our guide training programs providing a valuable resource to help further our knowledge and share these stories with our guests.