The NSW Far South Coast is perfectly placed to benefit from the boom in nature-based tourism.
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Its pristine beaches, lush bushland and forest, crystal clear waterways and abundant national parks are magnets for people wanting to connect with nature.
Destination NSW data reveals 69 percent of nature-based domestic visitors stay outside of the peak summer season, addressing the seasonality effects on the Far South coast's tourism sector.
In its submission to National Parks and Wildlife Service draft management plan for Barunguba Montague Island, the Eurobodalla Shire Council said that Tourism Australia and Destination NSW recognise nature-based tourism is an "important and growing" sector.
The local council produced its Nature-Based Tourism Feasibility Study in 2019 and launched a tourism campaign "Eurobodalla - All Kinds of Natural".
The study identified opportunities to position the shire as a nature-based tourism destination.
Why the Far South Coast?
Sally Bouckley, director of Southbound Escapes that runs luxury nature-based cycling, walking and cultural tours, said that Tourism Australia sponsored a journalist from Germany to visit the region to write about food- and nature-based tourism.
"We are the epitome of nature-based tourism ... We have these pillars of tourism yet the South Coast is still so undiscovered so we want to promote it from a nature-based perspective," Ms Bouckley said.
Josh Waterson of Region X has been running nature-based tours from Batemans Bay for almost 18 years and is eco-certified.
He has seen interest grow.
"I think there is significant recognition and a shift, definitely post-COVID. People are recognising the physical and mental health benefits of being outside in fresh air."
Everything we do should be protecting this, which other destinations haven't.
- Fiona McCuaig
Sustainable with high-spending tourists
Mr Waterson said most of his clients are domestic with many coming from Sydney, including new arrivals who "think it is wilderness".
"The South Coast is still well down the list of international visitors and somewhat off their radar."
However, international clients tend to have visited Australia before and want to go where the locals go.
"They are the people we love, just small groups," he said.
Ms Bouckley said the region needs sustainable tourism.
"You don't want to be like Venice and other places where it has been ruined and is overcrowded. We want fewer visitors who spend more."
