In a state like NSW with hugely varying different natural environments, there are a massive range of outdoor activities that have been set up for commercial or tourism uses. Click here to examine the range of Outdoor Education Activities that are available. Some examples include:
Eco- Tourism operators like the Blue Mountains Adventure Company. Located in the Blue Mountains, this company offers guided outdoor activities like rock climbing, canyoning, abseiling, and bushwalking. Their focus is on low-impact activities that allow tourists to appreciate the rugged beauty of the mountains while promoting environmental sustainability. The tours also educate participants on local ecosystems and conservation practices.
Aboriginal Cultural tours operate throughout NSW, often in conjunction with NSW National Parks. An example is the Sea Acres Aboriginal Coastal Tour at Port Macquarie, which utilises traditional knowledge passed on by Aboriginal Rangers to explore the landscape of the beautiful Shelley beach to discover bush tucker, traditional medicines and to explore the Birpai culture.
Aquatic activities such as whale watching offer a unique opportunity for us to come close to the beautiful whales that migrate down our coast throughout the winter season. Dive Forster are a great example of these tours, operating from June to October, boosting the tourism numbers of the town throughout the traditionally less busy winter months.
A growing tourism sector is that of agritourism. In a country like Australia where the large majority of people live in urban areas, the appeal of seeing where our food is produced is increasingly attractive. A great example of this Ricardoes Tomatoes and Strawberries, an award winning business near Port Macquarie. They offer a range of tours and fruit picking experiences that appeal to a wide range of tourists who come into the area.
Beach and coastal tourism remains one of the most popular tourism sectors. Surf schools, fishing charters, dive experiences, boat hire businesses and many more have been established along our coastline to cater for the millions of tourists who flock to our beautiful coast. Forster Fishing Charters are a great example of a business that aims to work sustainably to allow visitors the opportunity to explore the deep sea and try their hand at fishing the rich waters of the Great Lakes area.
Any commerical or tourism uses that operate within our natural environments need to be sustainable and attempt to minimise the impact on the environments they operate in. This should be a factor in deciding who to go with when visiting a new area or choosing from a range of operators.