For a lot of locals, our tours are a way for them to show off their backyard. 

– Simon Thornalley, Founder and Managing Director

By keeping ecotourism experiences local and accessible, Sunshine Coast operators preserve what visitors value about a holiday while enabling deeper engagement and tangible impact. Collaboration with Traditional Owners, schools, conservation groups and local organisations connects tourism with cultural knowledge, education and environmental action. From experiencing local culture and food to supporting regeneration, visitors can meaningfully contribute to Country and community. These authentic, place-based experiences also foster local pride, giving residents something they are proud to share with visitors. 

Launched in 2019, Saltwater Eco Tours is an Indigenous ecotourism operator offering cultural and educational cruises on the Mooloolah River. Its bespoke experience combines local bush tucker, storytelling and cultural knowledge to connect visitors with the culture and environment of the Sunshine Coast. Designed to be both authentic and accessible to newcomers, the experience attracts a diverse visitor base, including families, retirees and international visitors. 

At the heart of the experience is Caring for Country and Traditional Owner knowledge. Saltwater has worked with Kabi Kabi Elder Auntie Bridgette Chilly since its establishment, with her knowledge informing everything from the menu to the cultural significance of ingredients. Traditional Owner seasonal calendars also guide the use of bush tucker throughout the year, connecting food and storytelling with Country while supporting local producers, reducing food miles and encouraging the use of seasonal ingredients. 

Caring for Country also translates into practical environmental outcomes. Saltwater's oyster project provides a tangible example: oyster shells served on tours are collected, cleaned and dried before being transformed into artificial reefs and returned to the river, reducing waste while creating habitat that supports further oyster growth and healthier waterways. Further, through a partnership with Unity College, students construct oyster cages and deploy them in the river as part of their curriculum. Guests can see the local impact of this work as they travel along the river. Saltwater also extends its environmental contribution through Sea Shepherd events and a partnership with Reforest, donating a share of each ticket sale to tree planting. 

For visitors, sustainability is embedded through food, storytelling and interpretation, allowing guests to engage with environmental and cultural knowledge without it feeling like an additional component of the tour. This makes sustainability and regeneration approachable for visitors with different levels of interest and involvement. The combination of luxury, Indigenous culture, local food and environmental action creates a distinctive visitor proposition that encourages repeat visitation and local advocacy, with residents particularly valuing the opportunity to bring visiting friends and family to "show off their backyard". 

Looking ahead, Saltwater sees an opportunity for greater collaboration between tourism, cultural and environmental operators to create connected or full-day itineraries that encourage more international visitors to choose the Sunshine Coast and stay longer. With plans to expand its tours and partnerships, Saltwater can help position the region as a destination where luxury, cultural authenticity and sustainability come together to create distinctive visitor experiences. 

Peter Limerick

Manager | Deloitte Access Economics Pty Ltd