east gippsland eco tourism

East Gippsland acknowledges the Gunaikurnai, Monero and the Bidawel people as the Traditional Custodians of the land that encompasses East Gippsland Shire. We pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in East Gippsland, their Elders past and present.

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Stay and play in omeo.

Take in panoramic views of the Victorian alps and surrounding countryside and witness Omeo's beautiful township right on the edge of the Snowy Mountains, along the Great Alpine Road. Less than an hours drive west to the Alpine towns of Dinner Plain and Mount Hotham.

East Gippsland is all about fun, with high calibre MTB parks, stand up paddle board and kayak tours and endless lakes to go waterskiing. Don't forget, we're also only a couple of hours from the snow!

Did we mention that East Gippsland is one of Australia's food bowls? With one of Australia's largest fishing fleets and growing regions in Lindenow and Orbost, there are plenty of farm gates, farmer's markets and restaurants to explore.

From the rainforest of the Den of Nargun in the west to the huge coastal sand dunes of Point Hicks in the east to the ancient limestones caves of Buchan - there's just so much to discover.

Upcoming events to add to your must do list include the East Gippsland Winter Festival, Superflow MTB, Twin Rivers Bream Fishing and Mallacoota Wild Harvest

East Gippsland is known for its icons! 90 miles of beach, limestone caves that are thousands of years old and our gorgeous koalas of Raymond Island, to name a few...

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Coastal getaway on your mind? Fishing on the Snowy more your thing? Or perhaps driving the iconic Great Alpine Road? MTB adventure or perhaps boating on the Gippsland Lakes?.... Where will you start your East Gippsland holiday?

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East gippsland has just become victoria’s first certified eco destination.

“Ecotourism has become one of the fastest-growing sectors of Australia’s tourism industry. Travellers are hungry for sustainable tourism experiences and ECO Destination Certification will give East Gippsland’s nature-based tourism sector and the region a well-earned boost.”

With travel across the state being a favourite pastime in recent years, we’ve come to fall head over heels for charming waterfront villages, Man-from-Snowy-River country and superb beaches in Victoria’s East Gippsland.

With so much to see and so much to love, there’s now even more reason to explore the area with the East Gippsland Shire achieving a significant milestone as it becomes the state’s first certified ECO Destination , receiving the coveted recognition from Ecotourism Australia.

This prestigious certification celebrates the region’s commitment to sustainable practices and the provision of exceptional nature-based tourism experiences.

Keep up with the latest travel destinations, plus all the Victorian travel news and tips  here . 

Tick off East Gippsland’s best bucket list outdoor experiences

The announcement took centre stage at the highly anticipated Inspire East Gippsland Tourism Summit on Thursday 25 May, which drew speakers including Peter Gash OAM from Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort; Rob Pennicott from Pennicott Wilderness Journeys; Leigh Sorensen from Tourism Australia; Felicia Mariani, CEO of Victoria Tourism Industry Council; Terry Robinson, CEO of Destination Gippsland; Kristy Malapa, Industry Development Manager at Tourism Australia; and Ecotourism Australia CEO, Elissa Keenan.

One of the summit’s highlights was an overview of Ecotourism Australia’s Strive 4 Sustainability scorecard , as highlighted by Ms. Keenan – a game-changing pre-certification tool that empowers businesses to embark on their sustainable tourism journey, that may lead to  ECO  or  Sustainable Tourism Certification .

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, the culturally significant Buchan Caves, the Alpine High Country, the expansive Gippsland Lakes, and the picturesque Ninety Mile Beach, offering endless stretches of golden sand.

Things to do in Gippsland: The road less travelled – Forte Travel Guide

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.

By securing this significant certification, East Gippsland joins the ranks of six other Australian regions recognised for their commitment to sustainable tourism: Coffs Coast, Central Coast, and the Blue Mountains in New South Wales; Bundaberg and Port Douglas Daintree in Queensland; and Margaret River in Western Australia.

East Gippsland’s pioneering role in this significant certification process was made possible through the support of the World Wide Fund for Nature-Australia (WWF). The region was the first of 10 nationwide to participate in the program, benefitting from the Australian Wildlife & Nature Recovery Fund established by WWF-Australia in response to the devastating 2019/20 bushfires. This support sustained the region throughout the initial two years of the program.

Notably, East Gippsland already boasts a selection of ECO certified businesses that uphold the highest standards of sustainable tourism. Among them are Gippsland High Country Tours in Bruthen; Lakes Beachfront Holiday Park in Lake Tyers; and Skipper Pete in Lakes Entrance with ECO Guide accreditation. A further nine local businesses are going through their ECO Certification application process currently and look forward to announcing their certification soon.

Learn more about the latest ECO Destination here . 

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Victoria’s East Gippsland Shire has achieved a significant environmental milestone, becoming the state’s first certified ECO Destination.

The prestigious certification from Ecotourism Australia celebrates the region’s commitment to sustainable practices and the provision of exceptional nature-based tourism experiences.

“Our region has achieved a monumental success with ECO Destination Certification placing us among the select few regions in the country,” said East Gippsland Shire Council Mayor, Mark Reeves.

“This certification not only highlights our community’s proactive approach to sustainability but also enables us to showcase our unwavering commitment to environmental care.

“It brings economic benefits and provides comprehensive guidelines for Council, communities, and businesses to uphold and enhance sustainable practices.”

The certification announcement took centre stage at the recent Inspire East Gippsland Tourism Summit, which drew speakers including Peter Gash OAM from Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort; Rob Pennicott from Pennicott Wilderness Journeys; Leigh Sorensen from Tourism Australia; Felicia Mariani, CEO of Victoria Tourism Industry Council; Terry Robinson, CEO of Destination Gippsland; Kristy Malapa, Industry Development Manager at Tourism Australia; and Ecotourism Australia CEO, Elissa Keenan.

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, the culturally significant Buchan Caves, the Alpine High Country, the expansive Gippsland Lakes, and the picturesque Ninety Mile Beach, offering endless stretches of golden sand.

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.

By securing the certification, East Gippsland joins the ranks of six other Australian regions recognised for their commitment to sustainable tourism: Coffs Coast, Central Coast, and the Blue Mountains in NSW; Bundaberg and Port Douglas Daintree in Queensland; and Margaret River in Western Australia.

“We are delighted to see the East Gippsland region recognised as a global leader in sustainability by achieving ECO certification,” said Ecotourism Australia CEO, Elissa Keenan.

“Being the first in Victoria to achieve this standard is a milestone achievement and we are proud to have supported this region in partnership with WWF-Australia through a bushfire recovery fund, to help them build back better.

“This certification of East Gippsland ensures sustainable tourism remains part of the story of the region, and inspires businesses and communities alike to maintain good practices and implement sustainable tourism standards.”

Council says East Gippsland’s pioneering role in the significant certification process was made possible through the support of the World Wide Fund for Nature-Australia (WWF). The region was the first of 10 nationwide to participate in the program, benefitting from the Australian Wildlife & Nature Recovery Fund established by WWF-Australia in response to the devastating 2019/20 bushfires. This support sustained the region throughout the initial two years of the program.

Notably, East Gippsland already boasts a selection of ECO certified businesses that uphold the highest standards of sustainable tourism. Among them are Gippsland High Country Tours in Bruthen; Lakes Beachfront Holiday Park in Lake Tyers; and Skipper Pete in Lakes Entrance with ECO Guide accreditation. A further nine local businesses are going through their ECO Certification application process currently and look forward to announcing their certification soon.

East Gippsland Shire Council spearheaded the certification process, garnering support from esteemed stakeholders such as the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC), Victoria’s Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), Parks Victoria, Destination Gippsland, local businesses and community groups.

“Caring for Country is about recognising that Traditional Owners have a cultural and spiritual connection to the land,” said GLaWAC CEO, Daniel Miller.

“Gunaikurnai people, as custodians of the land, water, air and sky, have a key role to play ensuring respectful, sustainable environmental practices are followed.”

Destination Gippsland CEO, Terry Robinson said East Gippsland had long been offering world-class, nature-based outdoor experiences and official recognition of the region’s commitment to sustainability would bolster its visitor economy.

“Ecotourism has become one of the fastest-growing sectors of Australia’s tourism industry. Travellers are hungry for sustainable tourism experiences and ECO Destination Certification will give East Gippsland’s nature-based tourism sector and the region a well-earned boost,” he said.

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VIC Council named state’s first ECO Destination

Ecotourism Australia has awarded East Gippsland Shire Council the prestigious ECO Destination certification, celebrating the region’s commitment to sustainable practices and the provision of exceptional nature-based tourism experiences.

The announcement was made at the recent Inspire East Gippsland Tourism Summit, where Ecotourism Australia CEO, Elissa Keenan, provided an overview of the Ecotourism Australia’s Strive 4 Sustainability scorecard – a game-changing precertification tool that aims to empower businesses to embark on their sustainable tourism journey, that may lead to ECO or Sustainable Tourism Certification.

Ms Keenan said, “We are delighted to see the East Gippsland region recognised as a global leader in sustainability by achieving ECO certification. Being the first in Victoria to achieve this standard is a milestone achievement and we are proud to have supported this region in partnership with WWF-Australia through a bushfire recovery fund, to help them build back better.

“This certification of East Gippsland ensures sustainable tourism remains part of the story of the region, and inspires businesses and communities alike to maintain good practices and implement sustainable tourism standards.”

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, the culturally significant Buchan Caves, the Alpine High Country, the 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.

East Gippsland Shire Council Mayor, Mark Reeves, said, “Our region has achieved a monumental success with ECO Destination Certification placing us among the select few regions in the country.

“This certification not only highlights our community’s proactive approach to sustainability but also enables us to showcase our unwavering commitment to environmental care. It brings economic benefits and provides comprehensive guidelines for Council, communities, and businesses to uphold and enhance sustainable practices.”  

By securing this significant certification, East Gippsland joins the ranks of six other Australian regions recognised for their commitment to sustainable tourism: Coffs Coast, Central Coast, and the Blue Mountains in New South Wales; Bundaberg and Port Douglas Daintree in Queensland; and Margaret River in Western Australia.

East Gippsland’s pioneering role in this significant certification process was made possible through the support of the World Wide Fund for Nature-Australia (WWF).The region was the first of ten nationwide to participate in the program, benefitting from the Australian Wildlife & Nature Recovery Fund established by WWF-Australia in response to the devastating 2019/20 bushfires. This support sustained the region throughout the initial two years of the program.

WWF-Australia’s Head of Healthy Land and Seascapes, Darren Grover, said “Ecotourism can be a great way for fire-affected communities to build strong, local economies while protecting and celebrating their cultural and natural heritage.”

“The growing demand for high-integrity ecotourism shows that we don’t have to choose between a healthy environment or a strong economy. We’re proud to have supported the East Gippsland community on its ECO Destination journey.”

East Gippsland Shire Council spearheaded the certification process, garnering support from esteemed stakeholders such as the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC), Victoria’s Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), Parks Victoria, Destination Gippsland, local businesses and community groups.

Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) CEO, Daniel Miller, said, “Caring for Country is about recognising that Traditional Owners have a cultural and spiritual connection to the land. Gunaikurnai people, as custodians of the land, water, air and sky, have a key role to play ensuring respectful, sustainable environmental practices are followed.”

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Home Travel Destinations Victoria A guide to East Gippsland

A guide to East Gippsland

It was a summer no-one in East Gippsland will forget.

The bushfire crisis of the 2019–2020 summer was East Gippsland’s largest natural disaster. The region’s entire population of almost 47,000 residents – plus thousands of tourists – were directly or indirectly impacted. The road to recovery is largely being paved by the strength of local community groups. Here are some of their stories.

Apocalyptic images of people forced to shelter on the beach under blazing red skies circulated around the globe and put Mallacoota in the spotlight during the bushfire disaster. The small coastal town lost 120 houses along with many commercial buildings and other infrastructure. 

Grant Cockburn, president of the Mallacoota & District Business & Tourist Association and owner of Mallacoota Hireboats, has been active in the town’s recovery. “Our initial focus was to boost morale, regain some normality and restore important assets that the locals enjoy,” Grant says.

With the help of visiting television crews and the Lions Club, everything from a new chicken coop for the local school, through to boardwalks, picnic facilities and jetties have been restored.

Before the fire destroyed it, the Abalone Fishermen’s Co-operative employed eight permanent and 40 casual staff and had an annual turnover of $15 million. It’s the town’s biggest employer, so rebuilding it (and expanding its capabilities to include becoming a processing plant for invasive sea urchins, a local pest) is a priority.

BUCHAN 

On 30 December 2019, fire swept through Buchan Caves Reserve, home to one of Australia’s most spectacular cave systems. It destroyed everything but the Visitor Centre. 

Once the caves were deemed safe, the immediate focus was to fix all the fuse boxes, wiring, lighting and phone lines that run through them, before road and walking- track clearing was undertaken.

NOWA NOWA and WAIREWA

Sandra and Greg Huggins, owners of the Nowa Nowa General Store, kept their doors open to act as a base and food centre for emergency crews and locals.

They were eventually evacuated, but since returning, they have set up a pay-it-forward scheme to provide fire-affected residents with free food, fuel and supplies.

The ripple effect of the pay-it-forward idea has had a powerful and positive impact on the local community, allowing people to rebuild and try to return to their pre-fire lives, whether that’s in the form of restocking their farms, or something as simple as being able to replace burnt trees with young seedlings that signal hope for a fresh start and brighter, happier future.

The small farming district of Sarsfield, located about 20km north-east of Bairnsdale, was devastated when the fires hit, losing 65 homes. Many more properties lost fences, sheds and livestock. Eventually, the fire stopped about 100m from the Sarsfield Recreation Reserve (SRR) and community hall. 

The hall has since become an unofficial meeting place and support hub for residents. Jo Andrews is one of many who have volunteered their time to help the badly affected community. She and other volunteers have provided more than 100 relief packages to fire-affected homes and have organised community events to support people through their recovery. For the first three weeks after the fire, the hall was open every day and then the SRR committee began hosting weekly Friday Night Feeds, where all food is provided and cooked by local businesses and community groups. 

WILDLIFE AND ENVIRONMENT

More than 15,000sq.km of land was burnt during the fire season, threatening the survival of many native plants and animals. The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, along with Parks Victoria and other conservation specialists, is working to understand the impact of the fires and lead the biodiversity recovery plan. 

This recovery plan has included reconnaissance flights over eastern Victoria to identify 18 sites of importance for wildlife, threatened species and vulnerable habitats, with researchers finding a land of contrasts. Some areas were decimated by the fire, and others show heartening patches of green in a burnt-out landscape. These areas are the focus of native fauna and flora rehabilitation plans.

STRENGTH IN COMMUNITY

For a region so devastated, there is incredible resilience in the East Gippsland community. This is shown in the pay-it-forward innovation, plus the attention to ensuring businesses that provide jobs are back up and running as quickly as possible. Add in a collective determination to support projects that will see the region’s wildlife and environment rejuvenated and it won’t be long until East Gippsland can once more do what it does best: welcome visitors to one of Victoria’s most spectacular regions.

Overlooking the pristine waters of Lake King, this retreat at Nungurner (below) offers four furnished cabins. It is situated between Metung and the bustling tourist hub of Lakes Entrance. A path leads from your cabin down to the water’s edge, where you can jump in a kayak and explore the lake (and perhaps spot the resident Burrunan dolphins), or just sit on the jetty and while away a few hours in utter tranquillity.

jettyroadretreat.com.au

With access to incredibly fresh seafood, courtesy of the Lakes Entrance fishing fleet right next door, Sodafish floating restaurant (a converted island ferry) on Middle Boat Harbour, Lakes Entrance, offers everything from the ubiquitous fish and chips to unique recipes, all using the local sustainable seafood. You can also accompany your meals with local wines.

sodafish.com.au/menu/

The 96km East Gippsland Rail Trail links Bairnsdale, just west of Lakes Entrance, to Newmerella, near Orbost. It travels through a number of small towns, including Bruthen and Nowa Nowa, and is suitable for beginners and children. It can be ridden as a series of short day rides, or an overnight experience, and takes riders through forests, small villages, over old trestle bridges, and alongside pretty waterways.

visiteastgippsland.com.au/east-gippsland-rail-trail

Jump aboard MV Loch-Ard , a historic timber ferry built in Melbourne using Tasmanian Huon pine and kauri in the early 1900s, and explore the pristine Mallacoota Inlet with guide Dale Winward. There are birdwatching, twilight and other cruises, plus Dale offers bushwalker shuttle services.

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East Gippsland certified as first ECO Destination in Victoria

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Regenerative tourism on the rise as travellers seek to 'give back' to the places they visit, connect with nature, locals

Tourism has changed dramatically since the rise of online booking services and homestay platforms.

As an extension of this DIY travel revolution, eco and budget-conscious consumers are now seeking out more holistic and enriching travel experiences by forging deeper connections with people and places.

According to Tourism Australia's Future of Global Tourism Demand report , published in November 2022, The Great Disconnect of the COVID-19 era has been surpassed by a period of Great Reconnect.

Of the close to 24,000 people surveyed, one in six global travellers were characterised as seeking reconnection, relaxation, fun and escape with family and friends; mental and physical health restoration through nature-based activities; or exploration of a new destinations and cultures as a reason for travel.

Sustainability, Indigenous and inclusive tourism were also described as emerging priorities for the industry.  

Diane Dredge is director of Tourism CoLab, a social enterprise think tank researching how visitors can give back to local communities and the environment.

She says the pandemic has accentuated a desire for "slow travel" as people re-evaluate their life priorities and relationship with work.

Data from Tourism Research Australia's National Visitor Survey in 2022 indicates a 13 per cent increase in holiday trips lasting more than eight nights since 2019. 

"There's a huge shift that's going on in the marketplace, and people are wanting to connect," Ms Dredge says.

"They're really looking for experiences that can reconnect them with nature, have authentic engagement with local people and experience the culture and the special qualities of local places."

She says a "regenerative tourist" is typically someone mindful of their carbon footprint and local spend. 

Such altruistic travellers may engage with volunteering at a local festival, have breakfast at a social enterprise cafe or purchase local products from a makers market.

"It's all about giving back and not just taking and exploiting," Ms Dredge says, as opposed to just being another anonymous visitor washing through a town.

Deeper connections

Leanne Flaherty, from Sale in Victoria, began volunteering at the Garma Festival, in north-east Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, after answering an urgent call-out for volunteers to set up a "pop-up" library in 2014.

"As a volunteer at Garma you get to meet a huge cross-section of people from all ages and backgrounds," Ms Flaherty says.

"Most people are there because they have a desire to learn more about the customs and culture of the local people.

"Some are lucky enough to be welcomed into Yolngu families as a brother or sister. This allows an even deeper experience."

Volunteers are provided with bedding and their own tents as well as all meals.

Ms Flaherty says volunteering is as exhausting as it is rewarding, but had led to opportunities she would never have had as a regular tourist. 

She camped under the stars with Yolngu elders and says the best part of the day was sitting around the campfire sharing laughs and drinking tea.

After four years of volunteering, Ms Flaherty was offered a paid role on the Garma Festival   crew, with an offer for her airfares to be paid.

"I've made lifelong friends from the experiences as volunteers often return, local Yolngu become your new family and crew members become colleagues," she says.

"The transition from volunteer to crew has been a real 'moral' dilemma for me as I never intended to get anything out of the experience other than the experience."

The exchange economy

Ms Dredge, who works mainly across Victoria and Tasmania, says bartering, trading and exchange can be part of the regenerative tourism model.

She says housing affordability, cost-of-living pressures, a growing culture of nomadic, itinerant contract workers and singles on limited budgets have inspired an "exchange economy".

Referencing the "WOOFer" tradition of volunteering on farms, she says there's a history of providing visitors with free accommodation in exchange for their contribution to a local community.

From the billeting of artists-in-residence running workshops, to homestays for volunteers working on community-recovery projects, Ms Dredge says the currency of social connection has great value now. 

"We're looking at a much more diverse economy of exchange rather than it just being about economic value," she says, of the skills that visitors could bring to remote areas. 

"It's actually up to the local communities to figure out how visitors can give back and provide them with local opportunities, whether it's through donations or volunteer work or just being good visitors."

Comparing current socioeconomic dynamics to times in history when itinerant workers drifted from town to town seeking bed and board, Ms Dredge believes many rural households have guest accommodation they can activate.

"In times of great disruption, people become very creative in the solutions that they build," she says.

"There will be many people thinking about how they can enter into this broader economy of exchange."

Matchmaking platforms

Recognising that millions of dollars were going to international booking platforms each year, Andrew Keast co-founded Wayfairer.au.

The regenerative tourism booking platform matches social and environmentally minded tourists with alternative accommodation and tourism experiences.

"We set up Wayfairer as a co-operative, a community-owned entity where 100 per cent of the booking fee is re-invested back into the community," he says.

Mr Keast says the "ecosystem" of stakeholder members have a say in marketing the region and how fees are re-invested back into local communities.

With consumers becoming much more discerning about the legacy of their spend, he says similar co-operatives looking at community solutions to problems are emerging around the world.

"We did some market research last year that uncovered … a growing trend of people wanting to participate in the community," Mr Keast says.

"They want to plant trees or walk on country with Indigenous elders or pick berries at the local organic farm, or go to a sourdough cooking class."

He says the fledgling Wayfairer website aims to navigate visitors to a much richer and deeper connection with the communities they visit.

Work-life balance

With the pandemic inspiring a global explosion of digital nomads and itinerant singles working remotely, Ms Dredge predicts a future of more people on a permanent working holiday. 

She cites the laptop-enabled jetsetting swarms of digital nomads working poolside from the banana lounges of Bali and Portugal as indicative of a generation accustomed to a more transient working lifestyle.

"The challenges we're facing have triggered many people's internal processes of where they belong and where do they want to steward," Ms Dredge says.

"I think we can expect a lot more migration to happen in different directions."

Can't travel? You can still be a regenerative tourist

For those grounded by family commitments, she says it's entirely possible to become a "regenerative tourist" in one's own backyard.

"Regenerative tourism is all about reconnecting and regenerating ourselves through giving back to nature and the community, so we don't actually have to travel very far to integrate it into our everyday lives," Ms Dredge says.

"Be a visitor for a day, do things that you don't normally do," she says.

"Discover something about your community that you never knew before."

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East Gippsland Shire Council has announced it will hold the inaugural Inspire East Gippsland Tourism Summit, which will bring together national tourism experts and assist local operators to capture a greater share of the fast-growing nature-based tourism market.

The event, to be held at the Metung Country Club on Thursday 25 May, is designed to inspire and inform the tourism industry as the region sets out to capture more of the sustainable ecotourism market. Council has already hosted a series of smaller events and workshops to support the local tourism industry.

Mayor Cr Mark Reeves expressed his excitement about the major event, saying, "The Inspire East Gippsland Tourism Summit is a fantastic opportunity for our region to come together and discuss a sustainable and prosperous future for tourism.”

“We’re excited to host such an impressive line-up of speakers and to learn from their expertise in the industry," he added.

The summit will feature keynote speeches from leading eco-tourism operators in Australia, including Peter Gash OAM from Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort on the Southern Great Barrier Reef and Rob Pennicott from Pennicott Wilderness Journeys.

Joining them will be Leigh Sorensen, General Manager of Industry Relations at Tourism Australia, Felicia Mariani, CEO of the Victoria Tourism Industry Council, and Elissa Keenan, CEO Ecotourism Australia, with more speakers to be announced soon.

The event promises to be an enlightening and informative event, offering local tourism operators a chance to learn from leading tourism experts and network with industry peers.

"The Inspire East Gippsland Tourism Summit is just one example of how we’re working to promote sustainable tourism practices and to showcase the unique beauty of our region to visitors from all over the world," Cr Reeves said.

The event is expected to sell out quickly, with tickets going on sale on Monday 1 May. For bookings contact the East Gippsland Visitor Information Centre on 1800 637 060.

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