rotary geotourism angus_m_robinson
TRANSCRIPT
““Geotourism - a Tourism Growth Geotourism - a Tourism Growth Opportunity for AustraliaOpportunity for Australia””Rotary Club of WahroongaRotary Club of Wahroonga
11th December 201311th December 2013
Angus M RobinsonAngus M Robinson
GEOTOURISM - AUSTRALIAGEOTOURISM - AUSTRALIA’’S EARLIEST S EARLIEST FORM OF TOURISM – WHERE?FORM OF TOURISM – WHERE?
Scenery and Geology - a 1938 MusingScenery and Geology - a 1938 Musing SceneryScenery depends on land land
structurestructure - in other words, its geologygeology..
Everyone interested in the countrysidecountryside, how it has taken shape, why it presents us with the varied beauties of mountain and woodland, river valleys and fertile meadows, is, if often unconsciously, appreciating its geology.geology.
A.E. TruemanProfessor of Geology, Glascow University
Understanding Natural HeritageUnderstanding Natural Heritage
Natural heritage is the legacy of natural objects and intangible attributes encompassing the countryside and natural environmentnatural environment, including flora and fauna, scientifically known as BIODIVERSITYBIODIVERSITY, and geology, landforms and soil landscapes, i.e. GEODIVERSITY, i.e. GEODIVERSITY..
Key Concepts – Ecotourism Key Concepts – Ecotourism
Ecotourism is ecologically sustainable ecologically sustainable tourismtourism with a primary focus on experiencing natural areasexperiencing natural areas that fosters environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation, with a focus on focus on biodiversity.biodiversity.
Geotourism Characteristics Geotourism Characteristics
Geotourism is sustainable tourism which focuses on an area's geology which focuses on an area's geology and landscape i.e its geodiversity and landscape i.e its geodiversity as the basis for providing visitor engagement, learning and enjoyment.
Geotourism - as Geotourism - as oneone of the of the components of the many types of components of the many types of
‘place-based’ tourism‘place-based’ tourism
Sightseeing
Cuisine
AgritourismIndigenou
sTourism
HeritageTourism
CulturalTourism
Ecotourism
GeotourismGeotourism
Geotourism – Diversity of SitesGeotourism – Diversity of Sites
GeotourismGeotourism
IconsIconsNational LandscapesNational Landscapes
Mine SitesNational Parks/Reserves/
Urban Parks
Geo-trails
Geo-sitesGeo-sites
GeoparksGeoparks
Caves/Karst AreasCaves/Karst AreasLandforms
WHAsWHAs
‘‘Gondwana Coast’ – Fossils Walks Gondwana Coast’ – Fossils Walks Geo-SiteGeo-Site
Ulladulla, NSWUlladulla, NSW
The ‘Trail of Time’ – Grand CanyonThe ‘Trail of Time’ – Grand Canyon
The Trail of Time is the world’s largest geoscience exhibition at the world’s grandest geologic landscape
It is a 4.56 km long trail marked at every meter with 1 m = 1 million years of earth’s 4.56 billion year long geologic history
Branding ‘Iconic’ Geotourism –Branding ‘Iconic’ Geotourism –Ensuring a Memorable Experience!Ensuring a Memorable Experience!
Thick beds of shale and coal
Permian
10 million barren years
Tertiary basalt cap
Triassic
extinction event
Greater Blue Mountains National Landscape
The Kimberley
Flinders Ranges National ParkFlinders Ranges National Park
Brachina Gorge – self-guided geological Brachina Gorge – self-guided geological trail - trail - (The Ediacaran Fossils) (The Ediacaran Fossils)
Adelaide
Flinders Ranges NP
2727
Camel Rock Turbidite-36.378131 150.076987These are the stronglyfolded beds of 470 million year old turbidite. Turbidites form in the deep ocean when unstable masses of sediment avalanche down continental slopes, gathering water as they go . From each dense sediment flow, sand settles out first followed by finer sediment, preserved in a single bed or layer. Undulations in the fine layers at the top of each bed record the ripples as the flow comes to rest. The mud settles and duly forms as layers seen in the turbidite rock.Linkhttp://www.sapphirecoast.com.au/6_The_geological_floor_-_the_Ordovician.pdf
What is a Geopark?What is a Geopark? A Geopark is a unified area with geological heritagegeological heritage of
international significance and where that heritage is heritage is being used to promote the sustainable development of being used to promote the sustainable development of the local communitiesthe local communities who live there.
The Geopark brand is a voluntary, quality label and while it is not a legislative designation, the key heritage key heritage sites within a geopark should be protected under local, sites within a geopark should be protected under local, regional or national legislation as appropriate.regional or national legislation as appropriate.
These Earth heritage sites are part of an integrated concept of protection, education, protection, education, and sustainable developmentand sustainable development.
Core Elements of a GeoparkCore Elements of a Geopark
A GEOPARKGEOPARK achieves its goals of fostering local developmentfostering local development through a three-pronged approach:
GEOCONSERVATIONGEOCONSERVATION: A GEOPARK seeks to conserve significant geological features, and explore and demonstrate methods for excellence in conservation. EDUCATIONEDUCATION: A GEOPARK organises activities and provides logistic support to communicate geoscientific knowledge and environmental concepts to the public. GEOTOURISMGEOTOURISM: A GEOPARK stimulates economic activity and sustainable development through geotourism.
KanawinkaKanawinkaGeoparkGeopark
GeoparksGeoparks
* Over 100 Over 100 GlobalGlobal Geoparks Geoparks* 29 in China* 29 in China* None in Australia* None in Australia
Immersed in the landscape & geology – Tianzhushan Global Immersed in the landscape & geology – Tianzhushan Global Geopark Geopark
Immersed in the landscape & geology – Tianzhushan Global Immersed in the landscape & geology – Tianzhushan Global Geopark Geopark
The Coastal Waterways of the Hong Kong Global The Coastal Waterways of the Hong Kong Global GeoparkGeopark
Take-AwaysTake-Aways The incorporation of the geotourism geotourism
experience experience (with traditional nature tourism and elements of other ‘place based’ tourism) creates a more holistic more holistic ‘hero’ experience. ‘hero’ experience.
In short, ‘experiential tourists seek memorable experiencesmemorable experiences..
Geotourism delivers in geology for geology for everyone!everyone!
Take Away - Preserving Planet EarthTake Away - Preserving Planet Earth Urgent need for us all to start preserving our our
only known liveable homeonly known liveable home in the universe PreservationPreservation not just conservation is
becoming an imperative; our entire natural entire natural environment is now under threatenvironment is now under threat, driven by over population, over development and climate change.
GeotourismGeotourism also communicates geoscientific knowledge and environmental concepts to the public.
Preserving Planet Earth CommitteePreserving Planet Earth CommitteeD 3450, Hong KongD 3450, Hong Kong
Their vision is through continuous continuous sustainable development programs and sustainable development programs and educationeducation, the value and importance of our natural environment and biodiversity will be understood and managed sustainably.
This committee and two HK Rotary Clubs committee and two HK Rotary Clubs are supporters of the Hong Kong Global Geopark.
Is there an opportunity for Wahroonga RC to opportunity for Wahroonga RC to establish a similar interestestablish a similar interest in preserving Planet Earth?