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Big landscapes. Light footprint.
Getting people into one of the world's great wilderness areas comes with responsibility. We take that seriously, not because we have to, but because the landscapes we work in every day are worth protecting. We operate within Fiordland National Park, and everything we do is shaped by that privilege: providing a great visitor experience while protecting the environment and supporting the communities who call this place home. We're on a journey to make every trip with Great Walks Bus as low-impact as possible, from the vehicles we operate to the partners we work with.
Reducing our impact:
- Travel and Logistics
We plan our routes efficiently, keep our vehicles well maintained, and choose bus brands with reduced impact and efficiency in mind, all to keep emissions and fuel use as low as we can.
- Packaging
We run a strict "pack in, pack out" system, and encourage guests to bring their own refillable water bottles so we can avoid plastic waste altogether. Our onboard lunches are supplied by Southern Discoveries, who share our commitment to no-waste, environmentally responsible packaging. Even our cleaning products are chosen with the environment in mind.
- Biosecurity
We follow Department of Conservation guidelines to protect native wildlife and ecosystems, and support local conservation initiatives. We also take biosecurity seriously, with cleaning protocols for our gear and equipment, and we make a point of helping guests understand how to prevent the spread of invasive species themselves.
- Duty of Care
Fiordland holds deep cultural significance to Ngāi Tahu, and we aim to reflect that with care. By weaving local knowledge and stories into our tours, we hope to give guests an experience that's not just scenic, but respectful and rich with the heritage of this place, an approach to care that we also ask our guests to carry with them through kaitiakitanga. We also support the wider Fiordland community by partnering with regional suppliers and operators, and backing local employment wherever we can.
- Safety
Our drivers and guides are trained to understand Fiordland's ecosystems and conservation challenges, so they can pass that understanding on to the people in their care. Every tour starts with a safety briefing, and we maintain clear communication and emergency response systems throughout, because looking after people is just as important as looking after the land.
- Kaitiakitanga (guardianship)
We ask every guest to travel with kaitiakitanga in mind, the Māori concept of guardianship and care for the land, water, and wildlife around them. In practice, that means taking only memories and leaving the wilderness exactly as they found it. It's a small ask that connects back to the same respect for Fiordland and its people.
Qualmark Silver Award
We're proud to have been awarded a Qualmark Silver Sustainable Tourism Business Award in 2026, New Zealand's official mark of quality and sustainability for tourism operators. It recognises a sophisticated tourism business that consistently exceeds visitor expectations, assessed across business systems, health and safety, environment, people, and community and culture, and aligned with global sustainability standards through the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. It's a benchmark we're proud to hold, and one we'll keep building on.
We're on a journey too
Sustainability is an ongoing commitment for us a The Great Walks Bus, not a finished one. We review our Sustainability Policy every year against environmental regulations and industry best practice. We we'll keep sharing more about our journey here as it develops.
Have a question about our sustainability approach?
We'd love to hear from you.