Billy Tea Safaris
Billy Tea Safaris
Eco-Tourism
Sustainability and Eco-Certification
Eco Certification is an integral part of our business and we wear this with pride every day. As an Advanced Eco-Accredited operator, a Green Travel Leader and ROC Certified, we are committed to ecologically sustainable tourism, fostering environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation of the area and Tropical North Queensland. Our eco-certifications have always been at the forefront of our marketing. It’s how we identify ourselves, deeply embedded in our organisation and creating the foundation of our tours. Our experienced driver guides have been with us for over 10 years and are considered the best in the business industry.
All of our guides are Wet Tropics Accredited, Savannah Guides, Cert 3 & 4 Guiding and Hospitality and Eco-Cert Guides, all with current First Aid Certificates and many have been finalists or Winners for Major Tourism Awards. Their local knowledge of flora, fauna and local history combined with their passion, enthusiasm and professionalism is what sets us apart from our competitors.
Sustainability is not just something we do. It’s who we are. And our goal is simple: to protect our backyard for years to come.
Traditional Owners
Billy Tea Safaris recognises and respects the ongoing stewardship and custodianship of the Daintree Rainforest and Chillagoe by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traditional Owners. We acknowledge Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners and custodians of the land. We recognise their connection to land, sea, and community, and pay our respects to Elders past and present.
We extend special acknowledgement to the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people, who are the Indigenous inhabitants of the land, whom we have the privilege of visiting during our Daintree Rainforest Tour. The Eastern Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal people are the Traditional Owners of this area. Their country extends from near Cooktown. The World Hertiage-listed Daintree Rainforest is the world’s oldest surviving tropical rainforest, and the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people’s culture is one of the world’s oldest living cultures.
We also extend special acknowledgement to the Wakaman people, the traditional owners of Chillagoe whom we have the privilege of visiting during our Chillagoe Outback Tour. Wakaman Country is the Savannah Lands, west of the Great Dividing Range in far North Queensland. The area is bounded by Mungana and Chillagoe in the north; Mount Surprise to the south; Almaden in the east; and Dagworth in the west.
ADVANCED ECOTOURISM
Australia's leading and most innovative ecotourism products operate with minimal impact on the environment and provide opportunities to learn about the environment with operators who are committed to achieving best practices, using resources wisely, contributing to conserving the environment and helping local communities.
ECO-TOURISM HALL OF FAME
In 2019, Billy Tea Safaris was awarded the Eco-Tourism Hall of Fame from Eco-Tourism Australia. This recognises tour operators who have been committed to ecologically sustainable tourism, fostering environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation for over 20 years.
Green Travel Leader
The Green Travel Leader program was established in 2006 and is awarded to Ecotourism Australia members who have held certification with Ecotourism Australia for 10 or more years, thus demonstrating a sustainable and long-term past, present and future commitment to ecotourism. An exclusive club of just 127 Green Travel Leaders across Australia.
CLIMATE ACTION BUSINESS
Climate change threatens the Daintree Rainforest with rising temperatures, altered rainfall, and extreme weather. Billy Tea Safaris has a comprehensive environmental management plan to aim for a zero-impact-day during our tours. Guests can rest easy knowing we practice responsible waste management, respect wildlife and habitats, conserve water, and engage in many educational opportunities. These actions help mitigate pollution, habitat destruction, and species loss, contributing to the preservation of the Daintree Rainforest's biodiversity.
ROC Certified (Respecting Our Culture)
The Respecting Our Culture (ROC) program encourages the tourism industry to operate in ways that respect and reinforce Indigenous cultural heritage and the living cultures of Indigenous communities.
ROC certified tourism operators are committed to protecting cultural authenticity and integrity, developing sound business practices, environmental protection and acknowledging Indigenous peoples spiritual connection to the land and water.
