There is currently no collaborative, nation-wide strategy to maximise and realise the potential for nature-based tourism by bringing key stakeholders together to build on current state and territory based plans, previous successes, lessons and learnings. Ecotourism Australia’s stated vision is that Australia should realise the potential of nature-based tourism to make a major contribution to the development of more diverse, sustainable and resilient regions. Regional Australia is suffering from declining resource sector jobs and investment, a dwindling revenue base and demographic shifts as people move to seek employment opportunities in cities. Whilst nature-based tourism is offered as part of the solution with the recognition that a focused, co-ordinated, innovative and co-operative approach can make a meaningful difference to many regional communities, this strategy does need to embrace geotourism as a key delivery mechanism. Geotourism inspired initiatives, detailed in this presentation, are now emerging throughout regional Australia and globally.

1. ““Geotourism – The Key Driver of Tourism forGeotourism – The Key Driver of Tourism for
Regional Australia” – SEGRA 2016Regional Australia” – SEGRA 2016
Angus M RobinsonAngus M Robinson
Chair, Geotourism Standing CommitteeChair, Geotourism Standing Committee

2. Today’s AgendaToday’s Agenda
 Natural & Cultural Heritage, and GeotourismNatural & Cultural Heritage, and Geotourism
 Australian National LandscapesAustralian National Landscapes
 Australian Geotrail DevelopmentAustralian Geotrail Development
 Aspiring Geopark Development in AustraliaAspiring Geopark Development in Australia
 Opportunities for Australia- China CollaborationOpportunities for Australia- China Collaboration
 Take AwaysTake Aways

3. Understanding Natural HeritageUnderstanding Natural Heritage
Natural heritage is the legacy of naturalNatural heritage is the legacy of natural
objects and intangible attributesobjects and intangible attributes
encompassing theencompassing the countrysidecountryside andand naturalnatural
environmentenvironment, including flora and fauna,, including flora and fauna,
scientifically known asscientifically known as BIODIVERSITYBIODIVERSITY, and, and
geology, landforms and soil landscapes, i.e.geology, landforms and soil landscapes, i.e.
GEODIVERSITYGEODIVERSITY..

4. Environment, Natural & Cultural HeritageEnvironment, Natural & Cultural Heritage
comprises the following:comprises the following:
1.1. AAbioticbiotic – non-living aspects such as the climate & geology– non-living aspects such as the climate & geology
e.g. landscape and landforms:e.g. landscape and landforms: GEODIVERSITYGEODIVERSITY
2.2. BBioticiotic – the living parts eg. fauna (animals) and flora– the living parts eg. fauna (animals) and flora
(plants):(plants): BIODIVERSITYBIODIVERSITY
3.3. CCulturalultural – past & present, non-living & built– past & present, non-living & built
PartsParts B+CB+C are well interpreted within tourism, especially throughare well interpreted within tourism, especially through
ecotourism and cultural tourism,ecotourism and cultural tourism, butbut AA has typically not been wellhas typically not been well
addressed in Australia.addressed in Australia.
Source: Dowling, 2013

5. Geotourism incorporatingGeotourism incorporating
all types of ‘nature-based’ tourismall types of ‘nature-based’ tourism
Sightseeing
Cuisine
Agritourism
Indigenous
Tourism
Heritage
Tourism
Cultural
Tourism
ECOTOURISM
GeotourismGeotourism
i.e. ‘experientiali.e. ‘experiential
tourism’tourism’

6. Geotourism – Diversity of SitesGeotourism – Diversity of Sites
Geotourism
(‘nature-based’)
IconsIcons
((Inc National Landscapes)Inc National Landscapes)
Mine Sites
National Parks/Reserves/
Urban Parks
GeotrailsGeotrails
Geo-sitesGeo-sites
GeoparksGeoparks/
PaleoParks
Caves/Karst Areas
Landforms
WHAsWHAs

7. Australia’s National Landscapes ProgrammeAustralia’s National Landscapes Programme
Partnership between tourism and conservation that aims to:Partnership between tourism and conservation that aims to:
 PromotePromote world class, high qualityworld class, high quality visitor experiencesvisitor experiences
 Increase theIncrease the value of tourism to regional economiesvalue of tourism to regional economies
 Enhance theEnhance the role of protected areasrole of protected areas in those economiesin those economies
 Build support for protecting our natural and cultural assetsBuild support for protecting our natural and cultural assets
 EngageEngage local communitieslocal communities
A long termA long term strategicstrategic approachapproach
‘‘To differentiateTo differentiate Australia’sAustralia’s
iconic natural and culturaliconic natural and cultural
destinationsdestinations from anything elsefrom anything else
available in the worldavailable in the world’

8. Australia’s 16 National LandscapesAustralia’s 16 National Landscapes

9. Alice Springs
Uluru
Australia’s Red CentreAustralia’s Red Centre
National LandscapeNational Landscape
Northern TerrorityNorthern Terrority
‘‘features an ancient landscape with erosionalfeatures an ancient landscape with erosional
remnants (geosites) linked to a commonremnants (geosites) linked to a common
geological heritage’geological heritage’

10. Island of Tasmania
Australia’s Red Centre National LandscapeAustralia’s Red Centre National Landscape

12. Iconic Geotourism Themes ofIconic Geotourism Themes of
Australia’s Red Centre National LandscapeAustralia’s Red Centre National Landscape
 AA: Landforms and common geological heritage: Landforms and common geological heritage
 BB: Red Kangaroo species, and other type: Red Kangaroo species, and other type
flora/faunaflora/fauna
 CC: Indigenous (and European) culture: Indigenous (and European) culture

13. Why Geotrails?Why Geotrails?
1.1. Relates directly to the tourism experience of aRelates directly to the tourism experience of a
journey linking destinationsjourney linking destinations..
2.2. In Australia, unlike geoparks,In Australia, unlike geoparks, geotrails havegeotrails have
widespread appealwidespread appeal, and do not compete with or, and do not compete with or
impact on land management/access issues.impact on land management/access issues.
3.3. Geotrails are relatively easy to establish andGeotrails are relatively easy to establish and
represent arepresent a very cost effective means of enhancingvery cost effective means of enhancing
regional developmentregional development..

14. Best Practice GeotrailsBest Practice Geotrails
1.1. Should be constructed aroundShould be constructed around routes currently usedroutes currently used
by touristsby tourists; geotrails should form logical journeys; geotrails should form logical journeys
linking accommodation destinations.linking accommodation destinations.
2.2. ShouldShould meld the geological heritage features of ameld the geological heritage features of a
region with a cohesive STORY.region with a cohesive STORY.
3.3. ShouldShould incorporate and package in the biodiversityincorporate and package in the biodiversity
and cultural components (including mining heritage)and cultural components (including mining heritage)
of the region through which the geotrail traverses.of the region through which the geotrail traverses.

15. UNESCO GLOBAL GEOPARKS
Where are the geoparks?
There are 120 UNESCO Global Geoparks spread across 33 countries and 5 continents. This includes 69 in
Europe as part of the European Geoparks Network (founded in 2000) and 46 in the Asia-Pacific region as part of
the Asia-Pacific Geoparks Network (founded in 2009).
Geoparques
Mundiais da
UNESCO
Organização
das Nações Unidas
para a Educação,
Ciência e Cultura

16. UNESCO GLOBAL GEOPARKS
IS A GEOPARK JUST ABOUT GEOLOGY?IS A GEOPARK JUST ABOUT GEOLOGY?
No!No! While a geopark must demonstrate geological heritage of international significance,While a geopark must demonstrate geological heritage of international significance, thethe
purpose of a geopark is to explore, develop and celebrate the links between that geologicalpurpose of a geopark is to explore, develop and celebrate the links between that geological
heritage and all other aspects of the areas natural, cultural and intangible heritagesheritage and all other aspects of the areas natural, cultural and intangible heritages. It is aboutIt is about
reconnecting human society at all levels to the planet we all call home and to celebrate how ourreconnecting human society at all levels to the planet we all call home and to celebrate how our
planet and it’s 4,600 million year long history has shaped every aspect of our lives and ourplanet and it’s 4,600 million year long history has shaped every aspect of our lives and our
societiessocieties..
Zhanjiajie, China
UNESCO Global Geoparks are
single, unified geographicalsingle, unified geographical
areasareas where sites and landscapes
of international geologicalinternational geological
significancesignificance are managed with amanaged with a
holistic concept of protection,holistic concept of protection,
education and sustainableeducation and sustainable
developmentdevelopment.

17. Key FactorsKey Factors
Geopark Development In Australia - 2016Geopark Development In Australia - 2016
 Geopark development needs to beGeopark development needs to be state/local governmentstate/local government
agencyagency initiatedinitiated and supportedand supported..
 AA high level of community engagementhigh level of community engagement is essential to meetis essential to meet
UNESCO requirementsUNESCO requirements
 The key driver of geopark development must be focused on
regional developmentregional development – i.e. jobs and growth– i.e. jobs and growth
 TheThe approval of government Geological Surveysapproval of government Geological Surveys for individualfor individual
projects is an absolute necessity.projects is an absolute necessity.
 Federal Government approval for UNESCO nomination mayFederal Government approval for UNESCO nomination may
well be achieved ifwell be achieved if state governmentstate government
‘ownership’/endorsement and funding is clearly established‘ownership’/endorsement and funding is clearly established..

18. National Landscapes & UNESCO Global GeoparksNational Landscapes & UNESCO Global Geoparks
 HaveHave similar goalssimilar goals relating to local development andrelating to local development and
community engagementcommunity engagement as well as education andas well as education and
experiential tourismexperiential tourism (‘geotourism’).(‘geotourism’).
 BothBoth require government approvalrequire government approval but withbut with differentdifferent
government stakeholdersgovernment stakeholders..
 However, the AustralianHowever, the Australian National LandscapeNational Landscape
ProgrammeProgramme has been formerly disbandoned by itshas been formerly disbandoned by its
government sponsors, but thegovernment sponsors, but the iconic landscapes andiconic landscapes and
their communities are still very much in placetheir communities are still very much in place!!

19. A partnership between the NationalA partnership between the National
and State Governmentsand State Governments

20. Pre-AspiringPre-Aspiring Warrumbungles UNESCO Global GeoparkWarrumbungles UNESCO Global Geopark
New South WalesNew South Wales
CurrentlyCurrently comprising the Shirescomprising the Shires
of Warrambungle, Gilgandraof Warrambungle, Gilgandra
and Coonamble, 27,000 sq kmand Coonamble, 27,000 sq km
in areain area

21. Pre-AspiringPre-Aspiring WarrumbunglesWarrumbungles
UNESCO Global Geopark,UNESCO Global Geopark,
New South WalesNew South Wales
Outstanding MioceneOutstanding Miocene
Shield Volcano remnantShield Volcano remnant
landforms close to alandforms close to a
major coal developmentmajor coal development
area located in thearea located in the
Warrumbungles NationalWarrumbungles National
ParkPark (236 square km area)(236 square km area)
at theat the intersection of theintersection of the
three local governmentthree local government
areas.areas.

22. The Proposed Savannah Way Geotrail linked to the Pre-Aspiring
Etheridge UNESCO Global Geopark in the state of Queensland

23. Pre-AspiringPre-Aspiring Etheridge UNESCO Global Geopark,Etheridge UNESCO Global Geopark,
QueenslandQueensland
Comprising theComprising the entire Shire ofentire Shire of
EtheridgeEtheridge, and including areas of, and including areas of
outstanding volcanic and miningoutstanding volcanic and mining
Heritage - embracing someHeritage - embracing some
40,000 sq km.40,000 sq km.

24. Other Australian Geotourism InitiativesOther Australian Geotourism Initiatives
 State of New South Wales:State of New South Wales: GeoTreat supported ‘GeoJourney’ in theGeoTreat supported ‘GeoJourney’ in the
Australian Coastal Wilderness National Landscape.Australian Coastal Wilderness National Landscape.
 State of Victoria:State of Victoria: Volcano Discovery Trail (Kanawinka related).Volcano Discovery Trail (Kanawinka related).
 State of Western Australia:State of Western Australia: Various geotrail project proposals (e.g.Various geotrail project proposals (e.g.
Murchison, Coolgardie) and potential ‘geopark concept’ opportunitiesMurchison, Coolgardie) and potential ‘geopark concept’ opportunities
 State of South Australia:State of South Australia: is not actively progressing any geopark potentialis not actively progressing any geopark potential
projects, but is very keen to support the development of geotrails andprojects, but is very keen to support the development of geotrails and
geotourism through exceptional geological heritage, especially throughgeotourism through exceptional geological heritage, especially through
Kangaroo Island and the Flinders Ranges National Landscapes.Kangaroo Island and the Flinders Ranges National Landscapes.
 State of Tasmania:State of Tasmania: West Coast ‘Living Earth’ – CradleCoast GeoTrail.West Coast ‘Living Earth’ – CradleCoast GeoTrail.
 Northern Territory:Northern Territory: Potential Geotrails (Red Centre, Savannah Way).Potential Geotrails (Red Centre, Savannah Way).

25. Australia-China Memorandum of CooperationAustralia-China Memorandum of Cooperation
The GSA and the Geological Society of ChinaThe GSA and the Geological Society of China
Executed June 2016Executed June 2016
 The Australia-China relationship is becoming moreThe Australia-China relationship is becoming more
importantimportant with the increasing level of economic,with the increasing level of economic,
social and cultural activities in the coming decades.social and cultural activities in the coming decades.
 The Memorandum of Cooperation will be focusedThe Memorandum of Cooperation will be focused
onon growing and enhancing best practice nature-growing and enhancing best practice nature-
based tourism (i.e. geotourism)based tourism (i.e. geotourism) in both countries.in both countries.
 Tourism park managers could play a significant roleTourism park managers could play a significant role
inin establishing ‘sister’ relationships between parks,establishing ‘sister’ relationships between parks,
as a key driver of future geotourism.as a key driver of future geotourism.

26. Take-AwaysTake-Aways
 Regional development imperativesRegional development imperatives (growth and jobs)(growth and jobs)
are now driving geotourism initiatives in Australia.are now driving geotourism initiatives in Australia.
 Creating geotrailsCreating geotrails is arguably the easiest way ofis arguably the easiest way of
providing early pathways and support fromproviding early pathways and support from
governments for geotourism activities in Australia.governments for geotourism activities in Australia.
 Successful roll-out ofSuccessful roll-out of geotrails will instill confidencegeotrails will instill confidence
in geotourism,in geotourism, providing aproviding a future pathway tofuture pathway to
geopark establishmentgeopark establishment and development inand development in
Australia.Australia.
 State and Local Government inspired and backedState and Local Government inspired and backed
geopark/geotrail initiativesgeopark/geotrail initiatives are now emerging.are now emerging.

27. Contact DetailsContact Details
angus@leisuresolutions.com.auangus@leisuresolutions.com.au
Tel: + 61 418 488 340Tel: + 61 418 488 340
http://www.leisuresolutions.com.au/index.php/geotourism-industry-groupshttp://www.leisuresolutions.com.au/index.php/geotourism-industry-groups//
http://www.geoexpro.com/articles/2016/04/australia-s-big-red-centrehttp://www.geoexpro.com/articles/2016/04/australia-s-big-red-centre