Sustainability and Climate Action Plan

Discover Adelaide Tours

Published: 20th June 2026
Review date: June 2027
Plan period: 2026–2028

Our commitment

Discover Adelaide Tours is committed to operating responsibly and reducing the environmental impact of our touring activities while continuing to provide premium, comfortable and memorable visitor experiences.

As a South Australian-owned tour operator, I recognise that the natural environment, wildlife, communities and regional businesses included in my tours are fundamental to the experiences I provide.

This Sustainability and Climate Action Plan outlines the steps my business is already taking, the improvements I intend to make and how progress will be monitored.

Scope of this plan

This plan covers the activities that Discover Adelaide Tours directly controls or can reasonably influence, including:

Vehicle selection and fuel consumption
Tour planning and route efficiency
Waste generated during tours
Purchasing and supplier selection
Wildlife and environmental protection
Climate-related safety and operational risks
Guest and employee awareness
Monitoring and continuous improvement

Some parts of a guest’s journey, including ferry transport, accommodation, attractions and meals, are delivered by third-party suppliers. While I do not directly control their operations, I can influence outcomes by selecting responsible suppliers and maintaining strong local partnerships.

Current sustainability initiatives

More fuel-efficient vehicles

In 2026, I have invested in two newer, more fuel-efficient vehicles, including a hybrid vehicle, to reduce the environmental impact of my touring operations.

When I started Discover Adelaide Tours, the minibus was my only touring vehicle. This meant that even one or two guests could be transported in a vehicle designed for a much larger group.

My expanded fleet now allows me to select the vehicle that is most appropriate for each group’s size, destination and touring requirements. This reduces unnecessary fuel consumption while maintaining guest comfort and safety.

I intend to replace touring vehicles approximately every three to five years, where financially and operationally practical, so that the business can continue benefiting from improvements in fuel efficiency, safety and lower-emissions vehicle technology.

Small-group touring

Most Discover Adelaide Tours experiences operate with a maximum of eight guests.

Small-group touring helps reduce pressure on destinations and attractions while allowing guests to travel together rather than using multiple private vehicles. It also provides greater control over guest behaviour, waste management and environmental impacts.

Efficient itinerary planning

Tour itineraries are planned to minimise unnecessary travel wherever possible.

I consider:

The most efficient order of attractions
Guest collection locations
Travel distances between suppliers
Road conditions and seasonal closures
Suitable vehicle size
Attraction availability and booking times

Supporting local businesses

Discover Adelaide Tours prioritises South Australian businesses, including locally owned accommodation providers, wineries, breweries, distilleries, cafés, restaurants, food producers, attractions and tourism experiences.

Purchasing locally helps retain visitor spending within South Australian communities and reduces reliance on products and services transported over long distances.

Many of the businesses included in my tours are small, independent or family-owned operators.

Protecting wildlife and natural environments

My tours visit environmentally significant areas, including Kangaroo Island, conservation parks, coastal areas and wildlife habitats.

Guests are encouraged to:

Follow marked paths and visitor guidelines
Keep a safe and respectful distance from wildlife
Avoid feeding or disturbing animals
Dispose of waste responsibly
Follow the instructions of guides, rangers and attraction staff
Avoid removing plants, rocks, shells or other natural materials

Wildlife experiences are selected for their educational and conservation value. Discover Adelaide Tours does not promote direct handling of wild animals.

Reducing paper and unnecessary materials

Booking confirmations, itineraries, supplier communications and operational information are provided digitally wherever practical.

Printed materials are limited to situations where they are required for safety, accessibility, guest service or operational purposes.

Climate action objectives

Discover Adelaide Tours will work towards the following objectives during the 2026–2028 plan period.

Objective 1: Continue transitioning to efficient vehicles

When vehicles are replaced or added to the fleet, fuel efficiency, emissions, passenger capacity, safety and suitability for regional touring will be considered as part of the purchasing decision.

Hybrid, electric and other lower-emissions vehicles will be considered when they are practical for the distances, road conditions, charging infrastructure and operational requirements of South Australian touring.

As of June 2026, I have a brand new Toyota Hiace Commuter SLWB Deisel vehicle on order. This will replace the 2021 Toyota Hiace Commuter, updating the fleet to ensure it is as fuel efficient as possible.

Objective 2: Reduce avoidable waste

During the plan period, Discover Adelaide Tours will:

Minimise unnecessary printed materials by offering tour information sheets in digital form that can be emailed or sent via Whatsapp to guests who’s main language is not English
Avoid purchasing unnecessary single-use items
Encourage guests to use refillable water bottles where appropriate, including listing it as a “To bring” item on every tour listing
Use reusable or recyclable products where operationally practical
Dispose of waste and recyclable materials responsibly
Work with suppliers that demonstrate responsible waste practices

Objective 3: Strengthen sustainable purchasing

Discover Adelaide Tours will continue prioritising local and South Australian suppliers wherever they provide the required quality, reliability, safety and guest experience.

From the 2026–27 financial year, I will review business expenditure with local tourism, hospitality and food businesses to better understand the economic contribution my tours make to regional communities.

Objective 4: Improve guest awareness

Sustainability information will be incorporated into guest communications and tour commentary where relevant.

This may include information about:

Wildlife protection
National park requirements
Responsible waste disposal
Water conservation
Respecting local communities
Supporting regional businesses
Bushfire and severe-weather safety

Objective 5: Prepare for climate-related disruptions

Climate change may increase the frequency or severity of heatwaves, bushfires, storms, coastal impacts and other disruptions affecting tourism.

Discover Adelaide Tours will manage these risks by:

Monitoring official weather, fire danger and emergency information
Maintaining flexible and alternative itinerary options
Following national park and road closure advice
Communicating significant changes to guests
Reviewing outdoor activities during extreme weather
Maintaining appropriate emergency and communication procedures
Working with ferry, accommodation and attraction partners when disruptions occur

Guest, employee and community safety will take priority over completing an advertised itinerary.

Working with tourism suppliers

I will favour suppliers that demonstrate responsible practices, including:

Supporting local employment
Protecting wildlife and natural environments
Reducing waste
Improving energy or water efficiency
Using local produce
Respecting cultural and heritage values
Providing safe and ethical visitor experiences

Supplier sustainability will be considered alongside quality, guest experience, safety, accessibility, availability and commercial viability.

Responsibility for the plan

The owner and director of Discover Adelaide Tours, Liz Green, is responsible for implementing and reviewing this plan.

Employees, guides and contractors will be expected to follow the business’s environmental, wildlife, safety and waste-management procedures.

Sustainability considerations will be incorporated into vehicle purchasing, itinerary development, supplier selection and broader business planning.

Monitoring and reporting

Progress will be reviewed at least annually.

The review will consider:

Vehicle fuel records
Kilometres travelled
Guest and tour numbers
Fleet changes
Waste-reduction initiatives
Local purchasing
Supplier practices
Climate-related disruptions
Completed actions and future priorities

An updated version of this plan, or a progress summary, will remain publicly available on the Discover Adelaide Tours website.

Continuous improvement

Discover Adelaide Tours is a growing business, and I recognise that sustainability is an ongoing process rather than a single achievement.

I will continue to investigate practical opportunities to reduce emissions, protect the destinations included in my tours, support South Australian communities and provide visitors with responsible ways to experience the state.

This plan will be updated as the business grows, new technology becomes available and more reliable environmental performance information is collected.