The Blue Mountains is one of only six destinations in Australia to achieve ECO Destination recertification, placing it among a select group recognised for meeting 90-plus sustainability criteria.
Blue Mountains City Council announced the achievement on 16 April following a rigorous two-year assessment process through Ecotourism Australia’s national program. The region is also one of only two destinations worldwide surrounded by a UNESCO World Heritage National Park.
The certification acknowledges ongoing efforts to protect unique natural landscapes within the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area while delivering high-quality visitor experiences. For visitors planning eco-conscious trips from Sydney, this places the Blue Mountains among Australia’s most rigorously assessed sustainable destinations.
Mayor Mark Greenhill said the Blue Mountains is a place where protecting the environment and welcoming visitors go hand in hand.
The Blue Mountains was among eight bushfire-affected regions awarded places on the ECO Destination Certification program in 2020. The certification requires meeting environmental management, cultural respect, community wellbeing and visitor experience standards developed using the international Green Destinations standard.
Ecotourism Australia CEO Elissa Keenan highlighted the Blue Mountains’ environmental leadership, noting the region became one of the first to recognise the Rights of Nature in 2021 and projects net zero emissions by 2025.
WWF-Australia Head of Healthy Land and Seascapes Darren Grover praised the region’s post-bushfire recovery with its sustainability focus. “We’re thrilled to see the Blue Mountains bouncing back with such a strong focus on sustainability and tourism experiences that are good for people and nature,” he said.
The region hosts five businesses holding ECO Certification, including Tread Lightly Eco Tours, which entered Ecotourism Australia’s Hall of Fame in 2020 for maintaining certification for over 20 years. Visitors seeking certified sustainable experiences should look for the ECO Certification symbol when booking operators.
The Beyond the Views program at Echo Point offers guided walks and cultural talks led by Uncle Chris Tobin, providing deeper cultural understanding beyond the standard Three Sisters viewpoint experience.
Quick Facts
Blue Mountains City Council
The local government authority for the Blue Mountains region west of Sydney. The council manages 140,377 hectares, 74% of which comprises National Park, and represents nearly 80,000 residents across 27 towns and villages.
Ecotourism Australia
Australia’s national body for the ecotourism industry, responsible for the ECO Certification program that recognises tourism operators and destinations committed to best practice sustainable tourism. They work with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council to certify destinations.
Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area
A UNESCO World Heritage Area covering over one million hectares of eucalyptus forest, recognised in 2000 for its outstanding natural values. It represents the largest intact forest landscape on the Australian mainland and contains diverse ecosystems from temperate forests to rare temperate rainforests.