Amy Gash: Forging forward for women in eco-tourism

Gold Coast local Amy Gash grew up swimming with mantarays and walking the pristine beaches of Lady Elliot Island. Now the welfare of the Island rests on her shoulders. Read her story:

Amy Gash is widely recognised for her eco-conservation efforts on Lady Elliott Island. Amy ready to head off once again. Picture Glenn Hampson.

It’s 1997 and sleepy little eyes peer over the sand banks of Lady Elliot Island, watching as a pregnant green turtle burrows a hole into the shore. A five-year-old Amy Gash huddles next to her father, renowned eco-tourism giant and passionate environmentalist, Peter Gash, waiting for a wondrous moment to unfold.

“My sister and I drifted off to sleep because it was the middle of the night by then,” Ms Gash, now 30, recalled.

Amy Gash and her sister Chloe spent most of their childhood living on and exploring Lady Elliot Island. Picture: Supplied

“Eventually dad woke us up and we got to see her lay eggs for the very first time – about 100 to 250 ping pong-sized eggs.”

“It’s one of my fondest memories, actually, walking the beaches at night with my family searching for turtles laying eggs.”

The island is one of Australia’s most sustainable eco-friendly resorts. And under Ms Gash’s custodianship, it is also at the forefront of environmental conservation and restoration efforts and is the site of cutting-edge renewable energy development projects.

Initiatives first launched under her father.

Amy Gash and Peter Gash snorkelling at Lady Elliot Island in 1997. Amy and her sister Chloe spent most of their childhood living on and exploring Lady Elliot Island. Picture: Supplied

“I have some pretty big shoes to fill,” Ms Gash said. “Dad has definitely made his mark in tourism as well as in conservation.”

“But for myself, I endeavour to continue the work my family and our team have been doing for the last 15 years. I’m really focused on the sustainability side of the business and I really want to see that flourish and grow.”

In 2022, Ms Gash was awarded the Young Achiever Award for outstanding contribution to the Tourism Industry at the Queensland Tourism Awards.

Lady Elliot Island Eco-resort is at the forefront of sustainable tourism and environmental restoration efforts. Picture: Supplied

And her efforts to continue pioneering within the eco-tourism space has gained her equal standing alongside some of the Gold Coast’s most inspiring women for the Destination Gold Coast’s International Women’s Day event.

“I have been really lucky to work alongside some of the most incredible scientists in the field – most of them being female,” she said.

And in the cockpit of a Seair plane, Ms Gash, like her father, oversees the Island’s growth which, she said, seems to be imbued with the strength of women.

Lady Elliot Island is also famed for its squadrons of manta rays that have made the surrounding reef their home. Picture: Supplied

“We were talking about this the other day, our hangar is on Lores Bonney Circuit – named after the first Australian woman to fly solo from Australia to Britain,” she added.

“I’ve had so many women and men in my life that have inspired me to do what I’ve chosen to do.”

“So celebrating women’s achievement and success in any way that we can – whether that be your daughter, your sister, your mother, or even (the impact) of a father figure – celebrating all of that success is so important.”

Destination Gold Coast’s International Women’s Day lucheon will be held Wednesday March 8 with tickets now on sale via Eventbrite at $150 per person or $135 per person for a table of ten.