Go eco on the Central Coast

We’re proud to be one of Australia's first ECO Destinations, certified by Ecotourism Australia and supported by WWF-Australia’s Wildlife & Nature Recovery Fund. In 2025, we've taken another step in our ECO journey and advanced to Ecotourism level in ECO Destination Certification. We welcome you to immerse yourself in our community connected by culture, place, and a love of nature.

The NSW Central Coast offers superb natural beauty alongside a great sense of freedom, space and connection to the land. Locals and guests who explore our region and call it home are all shaped in some way by our unique natural environment – so to protect it for future generations we’re now guided by this destination-wide approach to sustainability led by the internationally recognised Green Destination Standard.

As we have learnt through our ECO Destination journey – a good place to visit is a good place to live! Achieving ECO Destination Certification recognises the Central Coast as a world-class destination for sustainable, nature-based tourism. This achievement highlights the Central Coast's commitment to quality and sustainable practices, which many of our businesses share at the core of their operations. Our ECO Destination status gives conscious travellers a clearer choice of the best eco-friendly, nature-based experiences, attractions and accommodation the Central Coast region has to offer.

ECO Destination Certification is built on the globally recognised Green Destination Standard that certifies sustainable destination management practices, champions giving back to the community, and ensures cultural authenticity. Check out the commitment we've made to become an ECO Destination since 2020...

As a destination, more than half of the Central Coast is national park, state forest, bushland, open space, nature reserves, beaches and waterways.

This includes some of New South Wales’ most popular nature-inspired experiences like Bouddi Coastal Walk, Ourimbah State Forest, Somersby Falls and the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Old Great North Road in Dharug National Park. We are also home to thousands of registered sites of cultural significance across the Central Coast region.

We encourage our community and our guests to tread lightly and go slow on the NSW Central Coast. We invite you to respect our slice of paradise on the east coast of Australia by checking out some simple 'house rules' via our Sustainability Pledge.

For four years running, the NSW Central Coast has ranked a Finalist in the global Green Destinations competition, showcasing the region’s commitment to sustainability, and paving the path to responsible visitation. Our successful 2024 story, ‘Waterways and Wildlife: Good turns to balance conservation and visitation’, highlights the development and promotion of water-based ecotourism experiences across the Central Coast starring Pelicans and endangered Little Terns.

Outstanding in the field of ecotourism: For a third year running, the Central Coast is celebrated on the global stage in the Green Destinations Top 100 List!

As a certified ECO Destination, the Central Coast celebrates its Sustainability Story focused on sharing the region's goal to fulfil a two-year ‘ECO journey’.

Local stories showcasing our destination's natural beauty capture hearts, minds and a winning spot at respected international sustainability competition.