Tourism is both a threat and a tool in the conservation of Australia’s natural environment. Currently, the continuing growth of commercial tourism operations within the national reserve system, and the increasing pressure applied by tourism industry associations and government portfolios to achieve increased access to protected areas and even a role in their management, represents a significant threat to conservation and consumes an increasing proportion of parks agency resources. At least potentially, however, tourism could provide increased financial and political support for conservation both within the current protected area estate and on other public and private lands beyond its boundary. Tourism may thus play a critical role in maintaining landscape connectivity in the face of climate change.