Sustainability
Our Origin Story
For Murray River Trails founder and environmental scientist Tony Sharley, sustainability wasn’t an afterthought but the very reason for starting an Advanced Eco-Tourism Certified business along the stretch of river where he grew up.
Tony’s lifelong interest and career in wetland and river management and love of sharing stories about the river and its challenges, led to a decision to raise its profile in the tourism industry.
In 2010, following a devastating drought, Tony’s knowledge and passion for the river inspired the idea to diversify the Riverland economy with an eco-tourism business. The Murray Darling Basin Plan of 2012 provided greater security for the future of this river environment, and in 2016, Murray River Walk was launched.
In the past nine years, whether he is guiding and sharing his knowledge or planning the next sustainability project for Murray River Trails, Tony is always exploring ways to inspire others to advocate for the sustainability of the Murray Darling Basin.
OUR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENT
We consider it a great privilege to provide guided tours on the Murray River and share the beauty, diversity, and stories that have shaped the landscape.
We have taken every environmental consideration during the design of touring routes, below are some of our sustainability measures.
- Our walking routes are all natural and no trails have been physically built
- Houseboat accommodation allows us to provide luxury accommodation in multiple locations without building any infrastructure on our riverbanks
- Our tours are guided and in small groups, leaving less impact on the area we visit
- Our new luxury houseboat 'High River' uses renewable energy with 52 solar panels and battery storage removing the need for a diesel generator for power generation
- We prefer to purchase locally grown and produced goods and services
- All tour waste is sorted for recycling at onshore disposal facilities and we prefer single use plastic-free options
- We encourage guests to bring their own reusable water bottles, toiletries and advocate for a healthy Murray River
Murray River Trails has achieved Advanced Ecotourism Certification from Ecotourism Australia for our Murray River Walk, Murray River Safari and Murray River Escape tours. This demonstrates our commitment to best practice interpretation, environmental care, reduced single-use plastics, efficient energy use and minimal impact walking and cruising.
We take great pride in supporting local businesses to showcase the best of local Riverland food and wine and thus minimize “food miles” — a feat which is relatively easy when we live in the food bowl of South Australia.
In 2020 we launched the Murray River Trails Fund, a sub-fund of the Australian Communities Foundation, to enable our business and our customers to contribute to partnerships that will increase conservation effort along the Murray River.
Citizen Science
Murray River Trails contributes observations of flora & fauna via iNaturalist, the world’s leading global social biodiversity network. This platform allows their team to create research-quality citizen science data that enables a more detailed picture of our national biodiversity, and assists bodies such as the CSIRO, Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board, ecologists and other decision makers to deliver better outcomes for the environment.
Respect
We tour in the country of the Erawirung people and we respect their deep spiritual connection to these lands and waters. Our team is learning from the Riverland and Murray Mallee Aboriginal Corporation who have a continuous connection to this country.
RIVERLAND RAMSAR WETLAND OF INTERNATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE
Our tours showcase the diverse habitats and wildlife of the Riverland Wetland of International Significance where more than 180 endemic bird species have been recorded.
Ramsar is a global convention for the protection of wetlands.
The Riverland Ramsar Wetland area includes an 80 km section of the Murray River and more than 200 km of meandering creeks.
Ancient Red gum forests are a feature of the landscape and four nationally threatened species including the Regent Parrot, Southern Bell Frog and 2 fish species - Murray Cod and Murray Hardyhead are found in the area.
How Can You Help?
The Murray River Trails Fund provides an opportunity for our business to give back to the river system that inspires our staff and our guests and nurtures all Australians directly and indirectly.
The Murray Darling Basin and its wetlands and rivers are under more pressure today than ever before as flow regimes change, competition for water increases and climate change reduces annual flow to sea.
Fortunately, science and technology have reached a point where the solutions to restoring habitats and ecosystems are well understood, however, resources are often the limiting factor.
In addition to our Company investment, we encourage our guests and all Australians to invest in projects that will leave a legacy and provide the opportunity for donors to participate if they wish.
Our focus is on supporting vulnerable species and enhancing their habitats, and we do this by investing in like-minded non-government organisations with charitable status who have an impressive track record in river conservation.
Contact us today to learn more about our first project to build and install “fish hotels” in the river to replace woody habitats that were lost when the paddle-steamers plied our rivers.
To make a donation simply click here. You will be directed to fill out an online donation form and will receive a tax deductible receipt via email once the payment has been processed.
* Our project partners include the Australian Landscape Trust/Austland Management who manage Calperum Station
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