Joey Falzon

Earth Sanctuary, Alice Springs, NT

The Falzon family’s dream merged with their passion and knowledge of local ecology, culture and astronomy to create a unique tourism business where visitors can experience native wilderness coupled with sustainable technologies from wind and solar energy, water catchment and harvesting, horticulture, waste management and fully-functioning eco-domes.

Earth Sanctuary’s appeal extends beyond its ecological credentials. The business has attracted investment from several of Australia’s largest and most successful tourism companies including AAT Kings, Expanding Horizons and Great Southern Rail with a combined reach of over 16,000 visitors per year representing more than two-thirds of the Alice Springs population (25,000). 

Demonstration of Excellence in Ecotourism

Certifications & Endorsements: Earth Sanctuary’s commitment to eco-tourism is recognised externally through its Advanced Eco-accreditation, as well as Land for Wildlife membership (15 years), Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC), Tourism Quality (T-Qual), Respect Our Culture (ROC).

Leading by Example: In 2001, Earth Sanctuary launched one of Australia’s first curriculum based sustainability, ecology and culture tours called ‘Earth’s Cool’ which now attracts over 2500 visitors each year from all major education tourism operators to the Northern Territory including GET Education Tours, Remote Tours and Austours.

Carbon Neutrality and Tree Plantation: Earth Sanctuary’s carbon neutrality is achieved through 6 core areas of the business, being energy, water, shelter, food, utilities and wellbeing (see Table 1), including Gold Standard tree plantation offsets through Carbon Neutral Australia. These initiatives form the back bone to Earth Sanctuary’s brand as a truly sustainability enterprise in ecotourism. 

Guest Recipes