Parks Eco Pass

Commercial recreation and tour operators play a key role in facilitating public use and enjoyment of New South Wales’s 790 national parks and reserves, by promoting their unique values and encouraging tourism and recreation.

NPWS licenses commercial recreation and tour operators who offer guided tours, instructional or educational courses and other leisure activities in NSW parks and reserves.

The new Parks Eco Pass, introduced in 2009, is a comprehensive, centralised licensing system for commercial recreation and tour operators that includes a number of significant benefits for licensed operators.

A Parks Eco Pass licence is required to carry out commercial recreation and/or tour activities in NSW national parks and reserves.

Information Booklet (PDF, 1.96MB)
The comprehensive guide to Parks Eco Pass for both NPWS’s existing and prospective operators.

If you just want to grab a quick overview of Parks Eco Pass then download Fast facts or if you want to find out the most frequently asked questions then download FAQs.

Fast facts (PDF, 761KB)
A quick guide to the benefits of the new Parks Eco Pass licensing system.

FAQs (PDF, 950KB)
The most frequently asked questions about Parks Eco Pass with comprehensive answers

Information for existing operators
Existing operators can find out how Parks Eco Pass will enhance their business and what they need to do to become a Parks Eco Pass licensed operator.

Information for prospective operators
Find out how to become a Parks Eco Pass licensed operator and be part of one of the fastest growing areas of Australian tourism.

Fires, floods and park closures

Recent visitor research

The new system does not currently apply to commercial activities in NSW marine parks. For more information on licences for activities in marine parks please see the Marine Parks Authority website.