Naturally Leading: Central Coast marks Fifth Year in Global Green Destinations Top 100

Since first being listed in 2021, the Central Coast has been a regular in the respected Top 100, consistently demonstrating leadership in destination sustainability. The Coast’s reputation has continued to grow internationally, with a first-place win in 2024 and an impressive second place globally in 2025.

This fifth consecutive recognition affirms that sustainability is not just a commitment, but a defining feature of the Central Coast. It highlights a destination where nature, culture, and community are at the centre of both visitor experience and local pride.

The 2025 submission, “The Green Dream: Conscious campaigns unearthing an ECO Destination”, shines a spotlight on how the Central Coast has turned its ECO Destination Certification into active marketing campaigns that inspire both travellers and locals.

Key initiatives included:

• ECO Campaign: A digital-first campaign through Love Central Coast that heroed local ECO-certified operators and experiences. Featuring striking video assets, itineraries, and an online Sustainability Pledge, the campaign reached over 281,000 people and generated nearly 800,000 impressions, encouraging visitors to explore the region responsibly
• Take 3 for the Sea Partnership: Council collaborated with the globally loved, locally founded environmental movement Take 3. Together they delivered a co-operative campaign targeting locals, visitors, and businesses, sharing messages of waste reduction during the peak summer season. Posts reached more than 63,000 people and sparked thousands of positive interactions.
• Ground Swell Litter Lab Masterclass: Delivered in partnership with Take 3, this industry workshop provided practical waste-management solutions for local operators. All participants reported increased motivation and commitment to preventing litter, with many implementing new initiatives such as guided clean-up tours and guest education programs
• Central Coast Visitor Centre Sustainability Wall: At The Entrance, a new Sustainability Wall attracted more than 30,000 walk-in visitors in 2024, providing interactive education on local wildlife, flora, and eco-certified experiences. Guests responded with enthusiasm, with comments ranging from, “These birds are beautiful; where can I see them?” to questions about Council’s conservation programs

Through these campaigns, the Central Coast has proven that ECO Destination status is not just a certification, but a story to be told, shared, and lived.

The Central Coast’s story, as part of the global 2025 Top 100 List, is now available on the Green Destinations website.

This global recognition reflects the combined effort of Central Coast Council, local businesses, and residents. Together they have fostered an environment where eco-certified operators thrive, visitors are inspired to travel responsibly, and community values are proudly represented on the world stage.

CEO of Ecotourism Australia, Elissa Keenan stated that “The Central Coast exemplified what it means to be an ECO Destination... they lead the way in eco-conscious storytelling... this campaign is not just good marketing – it’s backed by a deep and genuine commitment to assisting operators to achieve certification.”

The recent advancement of the Central Coast’s ECO Destination Certification to Ecotourism level with Ecotourism Australia is a further endorsement of the region’s commitment, showcasing a community and Council united in their dedication to protecting nature while building a strong visitor economy

Through an ongoing partnership between Destination Central Coast (of Central Coast Council) and Ecotourism Australia, the opportunity for the NSW Central Coast to participate in the Top 100 List for a fourth year was made possible.

Celebrating their 11th year, the Top 100 Stories run by Green Destinations, is an annual list of innovative and effective Good Practice Stories selected from 100 international destinations inspiring responsible tourism leadership, while also creating more attractive experiences for their community and travellers. Each destination has proactively submitted a unique Good Practice Story that details a sustainability project the destination is executing.

All destinations competing for a spot in the annual Top 100 are required to also meet a minimum level of compliance with certain core ECO criteria of the Green Destinations Standard, which the Central Coast achieved with ECO Destination Certification awarded by Ecotourism Australia in June 2022. The Top 100 Committee emphasises selection to the Top 100 list does not mean the destination is holistically sustainable, but pre-selected based on meeting that minimum level of compliance and the merit of their Good Practice Story - both of which the Central Coast successfully achieved.

Green Destinations is a Netherlands-based organisation working on the assessment, capacity building and certification of destinations and businesses committed to sustainable tourism. The competition is held under the auspices of the Top 100 Partnership, with special contributions by its partners.