Rotary geotourism angus_m_robinson

““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

Galapagos, Ecuador – a Global Galapagos, Ecuador – a Global Geo-siteGeo-site

13

The Opening of the Trail of Time

Thursday 13 October 2010

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

Alice Springs

Uluru

Red Centre

Ningaloo

Shark Bay

Ningaloo – Shark Bay

The Kimberley

Great Southwest Edge

Australia’s Timeless North

The Wet TropicsThe Wet Tropics

Flinders RangesFlinders Ranges

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

Kangaroo IslandKangaroo Island

Island of TasmaniaIsland of Tasmania

Great Ocean RoadGreat Ocean Road

Australian AlpsAustralian Alps

Plug

Caldera

Australia’s Green Australia’s Green CauldronCauldron

Australia’s Coastal Wilderness

50 km

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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

Some Geomorphic Highlights Kanawinka Geopark – Victoria and New South Wales

Volcanic Landscapes, Kanawinka Geopark, Volcanic Landscapes, Kanawinka Geopark, VictoriaVictoria

29 Global Geoparks in China (2013)

Chinese Global Chinese Global GeoparksGeoparks

Kanawinka Geopark - Education

Tianzhushan Global Geopark Tianzhushan Global Geopark Anhui Province, PRCAnhui Province, PRC

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!

Geo = Earth = Our HomeGeo = Earth = Our Home

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?

ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE?