The Central Coast has once again earned international recognition for sustainable tourism, securing a place in the prestigious Green Destinations Top 100 Stories List 2026 for the sixth consecutive year. The Central Coast is also the only Australian destination to have made the 2026 Top 100 list.
The list celebrates destinations that demonstrate leadership in responsible tourism through sustainability initiatives and the Central Coast has participated for six consecutive years through Council’s partnership with Ecotourism Australia.
Selected from destinations around the globe, the Central Coast was recognised in the Visitor Experience & Destination Management category for its 2026 story, ‘Guardians of the Ocean: Rallying Resilient Oyster Tourism’. The story highlights the collaboration between local oyster farmers and tourism operators to create high-demand visitor experiences while strengthening the resilience of the region’s oyster industry.
Developed in partnership with Mooney Mooney operators, including Broken Bay Pearl Farm, Sydney Oyster Farm Tours and Hawkesbury River Oyster Shed, the story showcases how sustainable tourism supports local businesses, protects natural assets and benefits the community.
Central Coast Mayor, John McNamara said the recognition demonstrated the region’s leadership in sustainable destination management.
“The Central Coast is a leading sustainable tourism destination, attracting approximately 5.9 million visitors annually who contribute around $2 billion to the local economy,” Mayor McNamara said.
“Being recognised among the world’s Top 100 sustainable tourism destinations for the sixth consecutive year is a remarkable achievement and testament to the dedication of the industry, local businesses and the community.”
The Central Coast Destination Management Plan 2026-2029 identifies oyster tourism as an emerging strength, and the region is experiencing growing demand for food and nature-based experiences.
In Mooney Mooney, oyster farmers are part of a state-wide industry spanning 230 farms across 30 estuaries, supporting thousands of jobs across production, processing, retail and agritourism, with farmers producing Sydney Rock, Pacific, Angasi and Akoya varieties.
Mayor McNamara said the recognition reinforced the value of partnerships in building a resilient visitor economy.
“Our oyster industry is to be commended for creating one-of-a-kind experiences that connect visitors with our natural environment and local producers.
“This shows what can be accomplished when Council, tourism operators and industry work together towards a shared vision,” Mayor McNamara said.
The announcement was made during the official unveiling of the Green Destinations Top 100 Stories List at the Green Destinations 2026 Global Conference in Kranj, Slovenia. As a finalist, the Central Coast may also be eligible for further recognition during the International Tourism Exchange Berlin (ITB) 2027, one of the world’s leading travel trade events.
To discover more about the Central Coast’s thriving oyster industry, search for Local Oyster Guide at LoveCentralCoast.com .
For more information about the finalists, search for Top 100 Competition at GreenDestinations.org.