Queensland’s tourism future: Wildlife Queensland’s vision for ecotourism

12 March 2025

Wildlife Queensland has provided a detailed submission to the Queensland Government’s Destination 2045: Queensland’s Tourism Future consultation, advocating for a tourism plan that prioritises both economic growth and environmental sustainability.

As Queensland’s oldest wildlife conservation organisation, we recognise that the success of the state’s tourism industry is deeply intertwined with the health of its natural landscapes and biodiversity.

The Importance of Sustainable Ecotourism

The Destination 2045 discussion paper rightly acknowledges that an increasing number of visitors and residents seek nature-based, cultural, and regenerative experiences. Queensland’s extraordinary biodiversity offers world-class ecotourism opportunities. However, these experiences are not always optimally delivered. Wildlife Queensland believes that Queensland should strive to be a globally recognised ecotourism leader, comparable to countries like Costa Rica and Bhutan. Achieving this requires a well-planned, long-term commitment to sustainable tourism practices.

Key Strategies for Environmentally Sound Tourism

Wildlife Queensland has outlined the following four critical approaches to ensure that tourism development aligns with conservation efforts.

  1. Biodiversity-aware Regional Planning

To prevent conflicts between tourism and wildlife conservation, Queensland must implement biodiversity-aware regional planning in line with the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (Target 1). This means:

  • identifying critical habitats and sensitive areas where tourism infrastructure should be avoided
  • designating suitable areas for nature-based tourism, ensuring proper controls are in place to maintain environmental integrity
  • engaging First Nations groups and local communities as key stakeholders in planning, ensuring their voices are heard and respected
  • providing clear guidelines for developers, directing them towards appropriate locations and tourism styles that minimise environmental impact.

  1. Keeping Tourism Infrastructure Outside National Parks

Queensland has a successful history of locating private tourism developments adjacent to, rather than inside, national parks—as seen with Binna Burra and O’Reilly’s near Lamington National Park. Wildlife Queensland strongly supports continuing this policy, as it:

  • protects sensitive ecosystems from direct human impact
  • maintains public access to national parks while fostering ecotourism opportunities
  • prevents commercialisation of protected areas, ensuring they remain primarily conservation-focused.

Conversely, inappropriate developments that degrade ecosystems or restrict public access risk damaging Queensland’s reputation as an ecotourism destination and eroding public support for conservation efforts.

  1. Supporting Regional Communities through Ecotourism

Nature-based tourism is a major economic driver, especially in regional areas. Properly managed ecotourism can:

  • provide economic benefits to local and First Nations communities
  • increase public appreciation for Queensland’s unique biodiversity
  • encourage responsible environmental behaviour among both tourists and locals.

Wildlife Queensland highlights extraordinary natural spectacles that could be better promoted for ecotourism, such as the Torresian imperial-pigeon migrations, humpback whale migrations, and coral spawning on the Great Barrier Reef.

  1. Expanding and Managing Protected Areas

Queensland’s national parks and protected areas currently cover only 8.6% of the state—the lowest of any Australian jurisdiction. Wildlife Queensland urges the government to:

  • more than double the protected area estate, bringing Queensland closer to the national average of over 22%
  • adequately fund Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service & Partnerships (QPWS&P) to support frontline conservation efforts
  • consider visitor caps at popular sites to prevent environmental degradation, as recommended in the K’gari World Heritage Strategic Plan 2025–35 developed by the K’gari World Heritage Area Advisory Committee.

Wildlife Queensland’s Commitment

Wildlife Queensland welcomes the opportunity to contribute to Destination 2045 and urges the Queensland Government to ensure its tourism strategy prioritises biodiversity conservation. We stand ready to collaborate on future consultations and initiatives that safeguard Queensland’s extraordinary natural heritage while fostering a thriving ecotourism industry.

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