Nature-based tourism surges in Northern Rivers

THE Northern Rivers region is primed to benefit from a boom in nature-based tourism, with new research showing visitors increasingly want to connect with Australia’s natural and cultural assets.

Interest in nature-based activities among Australians grew by 47 per cent from 2014 to 2023, according to Tourism Research Australia’s latest National Visitor Survey.

The report said tourism businesses could capitalise on the rise in demand by investing in or partnering with other operators or stakeholders to grow nature-based experiences.

Visiting botanic or public gardens grew by 85 per cent, bushwalking and rainforest walks by 81 per cent and visiting national or state parks increased by 73 per cent.

Cycling also grew by 53 per cent, placing the area in a good position with the development of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail.

There was also a 46 per cent rise in people visiting wildlife parks, zoos and aquariums, while whale and dolphin watching rose by 26 per cent and visiting farms increased by 12 per cent.

Eco-tourism operator Wendy Bithell, from Byron Bay-based Vision Walks, said the Northern Rivers region was a diversity hotspot.

“Even though we have destroyed most of our bush scrub the little pockets that are left are stunning and packed full of life.”

Bithell, who is also on the board of local tourism association Destination Byron, runs tours to see native animals such as platypus, koalas and other wildlife.

“I think people are becoming more conscious of their impact and want to do things in a low impact way and have authentic experiences,” she said.

“All of our guides are either environmental scientists or local Indigenous people.”

With an abundance of nature-based experiences in the area, including visiting waterfalls, kayaking with dolphins and whale watching, Bithell said she would like to see it become better known for this type of tourism.