Responsible tourism in Australia and New Zealand with Vanz Travel

From Australia’s pristine beaches to New Zealand’s majestic volcanoes, these exceptional destinations deserve not only our admiration… but also our respect. At Vanz Travel, we believe it’s possible to explore these lands while helping protect them. That’s why we place responsible tourism in Australia and New Zealand at the heart of everything we do.

Discover how, through our choices and partnerships, we work to offer you a sustainable, ethical, and rewarding travel experience.

Partners committed to responsible tourism in Australia and New Zealand

At Vanz Travel, we carefully select accommodations and tour operators who are actively engaged in protecting the environment and respecting local cultures. Some of our partners hold eco-friendly certifications in Australia and New Zealand. Others, even without official certification, demonstrate their commitment daily through concrete, on-the-ground action.

Our priority: to work with partners who minimize their environmental impact, support biodiversity, and respect local communities. Together, we’re building a sustainable tourism model that leaves only footprints behind.

Connecting with Indigenous cultures

Australia and New Zealand are deeply shaped by the unique heritage of their Aboriginal and Māori peoples. At Vanz Travel, we believe that supporting Indigenous communities is an essential part of responsible tourism. That’s why we prioritize authentic experiences led directly by local communities—whether it’s Māori art workshops in Rotorua or guided tours across ancestral lands in Australia.

These experiences help preserve local cultures, educate travelers, and provide direct economic support to these communities. By choosing these activities, you actively contribute to honoring traditional knowledge and respecting the cultural rights of Indigenous peoples.

Bookings that make a positive impact

Some bookings made with Vanz Travel directly support grassroots initiatives—whether it’s wildlife protection, habitat conservation, or empowering local communities.

Take the example of Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary in Tasmania. This sanctuary is not a traditional zoo. It stands at the heart of Tasmania’s largest wildlife rescue program. By visiting Bonorong, you help fund care for Tasmanian devils, injured possums, and orphaned wallabies. You also contribute to their rehabilitation and return to the wild. It’s a tangible action that supports Australia’s biodiversity conservation—aligned with the efforts championed by Greenpeace to protect endangered species.

Another example: the humpback whale watching tour in Hervey Bay, operated by Pacific Whale Foundation Australia. Each excursion directly funds scientific research and whale conservation efforts, while following an ethical whale-watching code. You’ll enjoy a unique, educational experience—while actively contributing to the protection of whales and their marine ecosystem. This is a vital cause in the fight against pollution and overfishing.

Responsible travel is an everyday commitment

Being a responsible traveler doesn’t stop at your destination. It begins before you leave, continues throughout your journey, and lasts even after you return. We encourage every traveler to adopt small, sustainable habits that, together, make a big difference.

All our itineraries and travel documents are provided digitally, reducing paper use and making it easier to organize your trip—wherever you are.

And if you choose to explore Australia or New Zealand by van, these principles matter even more. Vanz Travel supports you in living an eco-friendly vanlife: choosing a low-consumption vehicle, using biodegradable hygiene products, minimizing waste, shopping at local markets and in bulk, respecting wild camping rules, and following the Leave No Trace principles.

Want to learn more about eco-friendly vanlife in Oceania? Check out all our practical tips in this in-depth article: Going on an eco-friendly road trip in Oceania.

Continuously improving

We know that responsible tourism in Australia and New Zealand is a complex journey, full of nuances and challenges. There’s no perfect solution, and we don’t claim to have all the answers or to be flawless. Some destinations are still transitioning; some of our partners are doing their best without official eco-certifications. And sometimes, realities on the ground are more complicated than they appear.

That’s why we’ve embraced a philosophy of continuous improvement. Every year, we aim to do better: we review our offerings, engage in dialogue with our partners, expand our knowledge of environmental and social issues, and most importantly, listen carefully to feedback from our travelers. Your experiences, suggestions, and even your critiques are essential in helping us grow and refine our practices.

We believe that responsible tourism is, above all, a collective effort—built on small steps, compromises, hope, and a genuine desire to improve. Together, we move toward a more ethical, respectful, and sustainable way of traveling, always keeping that goal at the heart of everything we do.