TNQ Writer
Christmas shopping? Choose a gift that gives joy both to a loved one and to a larger cause with these Christmas gifts that give back.
Adopt a Tree Kangaroo
Help with the rescue & rehabilitation of Tree Kangaroos
Looking for a gift for lovers of all things fluffy and cute? Introducing the Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroo, an adorable endemic marsupial that is sure to induce “oohs” and “awws” from all that lay eyes upon it. Although you can’t put an actual tree kangaroo in a loved ones stocking this year (if only), adopting a tree kangaroo with Tree Roo Rescue & Conservation Centre is the next best thing. Your loved one will receive an adoption certificate, as well as a photo and story of their adopted marsupial. With packages starting from just $20, it would be roo-d not to.
Adopt a coral
Your adopted coral is attached to coral tree frames in the ocean
If you’ve got a little (or big) mermaid in your life, a Great Barrier Reef themed gift is sure to be a hit. Reef Restoration Foundation allow you to directly contribute to reef recovery when you “care for a coral” or “build a coral branch”. When you adopt a coral for a loved one they receive an adoption certificate and are kept up to date on the growth of the coral, as well as the Reef Restoration Foundation’s conservation initiatives. The coral starts as a finger-sized cutting and is attached to coral tree frames in the ocean where it can grow and thrive before being replanted onto the reef.
Purchase an eco certified tour
Back Country Bliss is one of the many eco certified operators in Tropical North Queensland
Back Country Bliss is one of the many eco certified operators in Tropical North Queensland
The new Reef Magic pontoon has a GBR Biology lab customers can visit and is powered by renewable energy
The new Reef Magic pontoon has a GBR Biology lab customers can visit and is powered by renewable energy
For many, experiences trump physical gifts every single time. Give the gift of memories that will last forever by choosing an eco certified tour in Tropical North Queensland. Tread lightly and choose from a range of rainforest, reef and outback tours. Christmas gifts don’t get much better than scuba diving off a solar and wind powered pontoon or exploring the rainforest with a Traditional Custodian.
Plant a Rainforest
Plant a tree with Rainforest Rescue
Looking for a Christmas gift that will outlive you in a positive way? Enter Rainforest Rescue’s Plant a Rainforest ecard – a gift that will have a positive environmental impact for generations to come. Every $10 helps to grow, plant and maintain a tree for one year and the e-cards donation values range from $10 to $1000.
Adopt a bat
Adopt a bat from the Tolga Bat Hospital
Animal lovers will go batty for this adoption gift, which comes with an A4 certificate with a photo of your chosen bat and its rescue story. You can choose from some of Tolga Bat Hospital’s cutest residents, including Gypsy Hill the tube-nosed fruit bat and Rusty the black flying fox.
Buy a Parley Ocean Bag
Bag one of these for a loved one this Christmas
Photo credit: https://shop.parley.tv/collections/bags
Beach bums and ocean-holics will love these bags which are made from Parley Ocean Plastic. Each bag funds the clean up of 20 pounds of marine plastic waste and is made in collaboration with artists including Doug Aitken and Walton Ford. Plus, they are too cute to handle (get it?).
Adopt a Habitat Hero
Adopt Cassie the Southern Cassowary
Not all heroes wear capes and you can give the gift of heroism this Christmas by adopting an animal for a loved one, making them a “Habitat Hero”. All proceeds go to Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas’s conservation and animal care initiatives, including threatened species breeding programs and the Tropical Animal Rehabilitation Centre. Adoption levels start from $50 and come with an adoption certificate monthly emails and special offers throughout the year.
Turtle Rehab Rashie
Support the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre
If you’ve got someone special in your life that can’t stay out of the water, a Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation rashie is a gift that keeps on giving. As well as keeping them sunsafe when snorkelling, fishing or hanging by the sea, these rashies also support the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, who are dedicated to the rehabilitation of sick and injured turtles.
Local Indigenous Artwork
Ngarru Gallery Port Douglas
Art-loving family and friends will love authentic Indigenous artwork, plus you are supporting local First Nations artists. There are plenty of places where you can browse Indigenous art, including UMI Arts, Ancient Journeys and Bulmba-Ja Arts Centre in Cairns, Ngarru Gallery in Port Douglas and Janbal Gallery in Mossman to name a few.
Beer that gives back
There’s nothing quite like a coldie on a tropical summer day and an 18 pack of locally-brewed beer is a gift that will go down a treat. Hemingway’s Brewery’s 7th Heaven Tropical Ale is utopian for both the taste buds and the environment, with 50% of profit going to Great Barrier Reef Legacy to help preserve the biodiversity of the Great Barrier Reef.
