Australia really is where the Wild Things are.
From the more famous animals like kangaroos, koalas and crocodiles, to the unusual and fantastic quokkas, bilbies, wombats and echidnas, to their deadly array of snakes and spiders, there’s no shortage of fascinating creatures in Australia. With such a diverse ecosystem comes the need to protect it, which is where animal sanctuaries and even some zoos come into play. Here are the four best ecotourism options for animal encounters along Australia's Eastern coast.
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It’s not surprising that most people have never heard of holistic travel, because I made it up!
Google Dictionary defines holistic as: “characterized by comprehension of the parts of something as intimately interconnected and explicable only by reference to the whole.” In layman’s terms, everything is connected, and it’s essential to treat it as such.
Okay, so how does this connect to travel?
Holistic travel is travel which focuses on both the individual and the community. When we travel holistically, we focus on creating greater connections with yourself, the earth and the people we share this planet with. This happens on three levels. Real talk: I care a lot about what other people think.
I try really, really hard not to--but it’s difficult for me to let go of my inner desire to be liked. So I worry: I like this outfit, but is it “too much?” If I talk about climate change or the negative effects of certain tourist industries on my blog, will I open myself up to bullying from others? What if people only want to hear the fluffy travel stories and will leave if I start talking about serious topics? Uluru is one of the most spellbinding places in Australia. Also known as Ayers Rock, it’s located in the very heart of the desert, towering above its surroundings and drawing visitors in from all over the world.
Every year, thousands of people attempt the dangerous climb, contributing to erosion of the stone and pollution of local water resources. The rock itself is 95 stories tall--taller than the Eiffel Tower--and at least 35 people have died undertaking the steep, hot climb (Parks Australia). In addition, Aṉangu, the traditional owners of Uluru, have repeatedly asked visitors to respect their law and culture by not climbing the sacred site. Signs have been posted for years respectfully asking tourists not to climb, and now the Australian government, which jointly manages the site, is instituting a ban on climbing Uluru beginning October 26th of this year (New York Times). Nevertheless, the argument over whether or not people should be allowed to climb Uluru rages on.
The catamaran glides through the water with ease; I sit outside on the upper deck to watch the blue mountains behind us slide into the distance. We had risen early that morning to catch the shuttle from Cairns to Port Douglas, but the brisk sea breeze is more than enough to shake the sleep from our eyes.
I throw out a lot of stuff. It’s not intentional--I do try to do my part by educating myself, moving towards minimalist living, recycling and participating in my city’s composting program--but I know I can do better. Some of the items on this list are things I’m already doing, but many more are things I’m still working to accomplish. It’s a slow, painful process, but by taking it one step at a time, I’m making progress towards a zero-waste life, and I wholeheartedly believe that you can, too.
Have you ever wondered how to make the most out of your trip? Ever wondered where those secret, off-the-beaten-path adventures are? It’s actually really easy to find out, and it all comes down to this: living like a local.
Gold Bluffs Beach, Northern California, near Redwoods National Park Note: Some of this is reiterated from my travel philosophy segment on my about page. However, I also added links and additional details that I believe will help others interested in sustainable tourism develop their own ethical travel goals and succeed in traveling as ethically as possible. As a travel blogger, my goal is to engage with the world in an ethical, sustainable manner. What do I mean by this? I recognize that I am a guest in each place I visit, and that as a guest, it’s my responsibility not to leave any place worse off than when I arrived. I believe in the importance of caring for this world, our beautiful home, and all those who inhabit it. To do this, I have three goals when traveling which help me travel sustainably.
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Hi, there! Call me Kris. I’m a world traveler, author and artist working to showcase the world's beauty and inspire you to find your confidence to see the world!
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