Australia s Nature Coast

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1 Australia s Nature Coast Background A partnership between Fraser Coast Opportunities and Sunshine Coast Destination Ltd has been created to develop and promote the region as one unified, world class ecotourism destination, named Australia s Nature Coast. The project aims to grow new visitor markets by raising awareness of the exceptional environmental assets of the region and delivering unique personal natural encounters in a safe, fun and family friendly environment, whilst working with industry and community towards the common goal of sustainability. What is Australia s Nature Coast? Australia s Nature Coast brings together a number of unbeatable natural experiences, offering some of the most diverse and pristine places in Australia and in the world. Not only can visitors be amazed by the beauty of World Heritage Listed Fraser Island, Lady Elliot Island s Great Barrier Reef, Noosa s National Park and the most intimate whale encounters on earth in Hervey Bay, but they can also enjoy a visit to the only two adjoining Biospheres in the world.

2 Aim of Australia s Nature Coast The partnership is of special benefit to the international market. Australia s Nature Coast has been set to increase availability and quality of internationally ready nature based products and to attract overseas visitors through a unified approach. The partnership has put together itineraries and modules for people to enjoy the many natural gems of the region in a complete and seamless experience. A network of iconic destinations is offered, showcasing the magnificent natural diversity of Australia s Nature Coast, a key differentials of the region. Personal natural encounters are complemented by a community minded approach to conservation and environmentally responsible tourism operations, offering a clear point of difference to experience seekers and nature lovers from around the globe. Australia s Nature Coast is where man and nature strive for sympathetic outcome co existing with World Heritage Listed Areas and two United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) designated Biospheres to sustainably develop a wide range of accessible coastal and hinterland lifestyle experiences. Biospheres Australia s Nature Coast showcases not one Biosphere, but two adjoining ones, a nature display seen nowhere else in the world. The Great Sandy and Noosa Biosphere side by side present visitors with beautiful landscapes and a uniquely rich and diverse natural experience. The Great Sandy Biosphere offers an impressive natural beauty and diversity. It is home for more than 7,500 recorded species of flora and fauna, half of Australia s bird species and has greater fish diversity than the entire Great Barrier Reef. It also contains the world s largest unconsolidated sand mass, highest perched dune fresh water lakes and tallest and most complex rainforests growing on sand; only to name a few of its many wonders. The magnificent Noosa Biosphere is home to many rare and endangered animals, such as dugongs and platypus, as well as to 1,365 species of plants and even an endemic flower species named Key s Boronia. Noosa Biosphere s great variety of flora and fauna is found throughout its 60 distinct ecosystems, offering a true show of natural spectacles. Being designated as a Biosphere under UNESCO s Man and the Biosphere Program is an acknowledgement of a region s unique natural assets and of the absolute need of protecting and maintaining it for future generations. The program promotes environmental protection, without neglecting the need for economic growth, leading to the recognition of three main functions of a biosphere: conservation, sustainable human and economic development, and education.

3 Fraser Coast The Fraser Coast is a stunning tapestry of nature s wonders uniting the Great Barrier Reef and the iconic World Heritage listed Fraser Island the largest sand island on earth. Built up from tidal action over a period of more than 700,000 years, it is the oldest dune building sequence. Fascinating archaeological remains show thousands of years of culture and story of the local indigenous Butchulla people. Its towering rainforest, pristine freshwater streams, lakes, evolving dunes, white sand beaches and breathtaking landscapes make Fraser Island a must see destination. The calm protected waters of Hervey Bay offer a natural playground for thousands of majestic Humpback Whales providing the world s best up close and personal whale watching experience. The beauty of the Great Sandy Strait and its coastal villages are complimented by a stunning coastline of pristine, white sandy beaches from Woodgate and Burrum Heads to Rainbow Beach. The splendour of the Fraser Coast is not only confined to the coast, with inspiring heritage in Maryborough along with national parks, native woodlands, heath and dense rainforest and the beautiful Mary River combining the best of the Fraser Coast Hinterland including Tiaro and Bauple. As part of the UNESCO recognised Great Sandy Biosphere, the region s unique and diverse natural attractions are officially recognised in the same class as the Galapagos Islands and Central Amazon.

4 Sunshine Coast Nature and adventure go hand in hand on the Sunshine Coast. The pristine natural environment has not been spoiled by over development, the beaches, forests and countryside are all clean and green. Visitors can immerse in the natural environment and be surrounded by wildlife sea turtles, reef fish, dolphins and whales populate the waters at various times of the year, and our rainforests and bushland areas are home to a multitude of colourful birdlife, koalas, possums, goannas and kangaroos. Noosa has been recognised as Queensland s first UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve status. From spotting a koala in Noosa National Park to kayaking through Noosa s Everglades, even in trendy Hastings Street, the subtropical trees and greenery form as much a part of the landscape as the designer boutiques, cool cafes, bustling bars and alfresco restaurants. For a fresh look at Sunshine Coast nature and wildlife, visitors can create their own adventure or book one of the many eco tours run by professional guides. Take an eco cruise down the Pumicestone Passage, which is known to host dugongs, spend a couple of days hiking the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk, or explore the bush trails and lookouts dotted around the Glass House Mountains area.

5 Why Australia s Nature Coast? It is under this framework that it naturally makes sense to develop the region s tourism and to become a leading eco tourism destination, offering nature based experiences, opportunities to learn and understand the environment, natural and cultural and fostering conservation, with the ultimate goal of sustainability. The new inter regional partnership will work collaboratively to develop and implement a unified and strategic programme to position Australia s Nature Coast as a world class ecotourism destination, appealing to both the domestic and international markets including the education and volunteerism sectors. Australia s Nature Coast will work in parallel with community and industry stakeholders to achieve sustainability. The objective of this inter regional collaboration is to be recognised as Australia s premier natural experience and a world s must visit destination, a place where people and nature live in harmony by the year For more information visit: