YHA Australia are continuing their green journey with 50% of the nation-wide network now certified by Eco Tourism Australia. YHA Sydney Central, YHA Cairns, YHA Thredbo, and YHA Newcastle now join the growing list of eco-certified properties, alongside the seven YHA locations that have already achieved certification.

 

Achieving eco-certification is no small feat. The process is rigorous, requiring properties to meet over 200 key criteria spanning four pillars of sustainability, environmental, socio-economic, cultural, and responsible business practices. Each certified YHA property showcases a deep commitment to these principles by implementing globally recognised best-practice standards in sustainable tourism.

 

Paul McGrath, CEO of YHA Australia: “Receiving Ecotourism Australia's eco-certification to now 50% of our network is a reflection of our commitment to sustainability. It means travellers can make confident choices to stay in places that align with their values”.

 

“We're proud of our progress and aim to offer recognisable, trusted options for environmentally-conscious guests who wish to travel responsibly nation-wide and reduce their impact on the places they visit.”

 

 

These incremental gains are often achieved through community partnerships and initiatives where the responsibility falls on the property managers to engage with regional partners with periodic independent audits required.  

 

The following practices are major recent additions in YHA's overall journey towards a net-zero network:

 

As of 1 July, YHA Melbourne Central, YHA Grampians Eco, YHA Apollo Bay, YHA Newcastle Beach, YHA Port Elliot, YHA Pittwater, YHA Coolangatta and YHA Head Office have joined the network of properties and locations now powered by 100% GreenPower, bringing the total network adoption to 22%. While electricity still comes from the grid, YHA's GreenPower purchase ensures an equivalent amount of renewable energy is fed back into the system.

 

Locations including YHA Sydney Harbour, YHA Byron Bay, and YHA Sydney Central are generating renewable energy on-site via solar panels, with any excess power returned to the grid.

 

YHA properties also implement ongoing sustainability measures, including energy-efficient lighting and appliances, robust recycling and a waste reduction program where up to 305 mattresses and 412kg of textiles are diverted from landfill through partnerships with Soft Landing and Upparel since 2024.  

 

Improvements are being made to heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, along with a switch to solar hot water, renewable energy, and reverse-cycle air conditioning. Water-saving initiatives include grey-water recycling and a switch to sachet detergent, saving up to 1,000 litres of water per property per day.

 

Additionally, five dollars from every first-time booking will be diverted towards the Sustainable Properties Fund. This fund has received international recognition and is dedicated to helping reduce the environmental impact of YHA Australia's through sustainability projects across the network.

 

 

Alice Rose // PEPR Agency

+61 467 577 555

alice@pepr.com.au                                                            

 

Laura Ford // PEPR Agency

+61 449 024 315

Ecotourism Australia is a non-government, not-for-profit organisation, established in 1991, that promotes and supports Australia's visitor economy through building capacity and actively promoting sustainable tourism operations and systems. Our key legacy program – ECO Certification – was the world's first national ecotourism certification program and the Sustainable Tourism Certification, launched in 2022 supports non-nature based businesses achieve global best-practice. Today there are some 2000 accommodation, tours and attractions certified by Ecotourism Australia.

 

YHA Australia is a for-purpose, membership-based organisation that has been providing travellers with quality, affordable accommodation for over 85 years. Operating a network of 19 properties nationwide, YHA Australia offers diverse accommodation options from private rooms to co-living spaces, featuring modern amenities including pools, communal kitchens, wellness spaces, cafes and rooftop bars.

 

As part of Hostelling International (HI), YHA Australia connects to a global network of over 3,000 unique properties across more than 70 countries, enabling seamless travel experiences worldwide.

 

YHA Australia is committed to evolving alongside modern traveller expectations while staying true to its core mission of creating communities, caring for the environment, and connecting people with authentic local experiences. Recent investments include substantial property renovations across key city locations in 2023 and 2024, the launch of the YHA Explorer app in late 2024, and the introduction of digital wallet keys in 2025.

 

Through continuous reinvestment and strategic development, YHA Australia is evolving beyond traditional accommodation to offer a comprehensive travel experience for budget-conscious travellers. By integrating cutting edge technology with community-focused spaces, food and beverage offerings, and authentic local experiences, YHA Australia maintains its position as the country's leading low-cost accommodation provider.

 

For more information on YHA Australia, please visit yha.com.au or our latest Integrated Report