In the lead-up to World Environment Day on June 5, the Margaret River region has become the first ECO Destination for Western Australia, and only one of four Australia-wide.

Through this certification program, visitors are assured the region has a range of high-quality nature-based tourism products and a strong commitment to improving sustainable practices into the future.

Driven by the Shire of Augusta Margaret River, and supported by the Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association, 26 businesses across the region are now ECO Certified.

Margaret River Discovery Company, Blackwood River Houseboats, Fair Harvest Permaculture and Tanah Marah are the latest to receive the certification, alongside the likes of the Margaret River Retreat, Margaret River Surf School, Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, and Jewel, Mammoth and Lake Caves.

In addition to this, around 68 wineries across the Margaret River region are certified members of Sustainable Wine Growing Australia, with 12 per cent of vineyards certified organic or biodynamic.

As one of only 36 bio-diversity hotspots on Earth, the South West has thousands of plant species found nowhere else in the world. Margaret River in the South West is the only wine region in Australia where you can hop from award-winning wineries and restaurants to stunning beaches, tall-timber forests, world-class surf breaks and ancient caves - all of this is located an easy three-hour drive from Perth.

END

Background

For more information on the Margaret River region, visit westernaustralia.com.