2016 Global Eco Asia - Pacific Tourism Conference21 - 23 November 2016, Hobart, TasmaniaDetermining the Potential for Geotrails

Alan Briggs – PhD Candidate, Murdoch University and Gunduwa Conservation RegionWestern Australia

DETERMINING THE POTENTIAL FOR GEO-

TRAILS

LANDSCAPE STORIESWITHIN

GUNDAWA CONSERVATION REGION

BASIS FOR DETERMININGTHE POTENTIAL FOR GEOTRAILS IN GUNDUWA• Geological History• – billions of years in development• Fauna and Flora development• – evolving with time and to places• Aboriginal Culture• – 40,000 to 60,000 years of living culture• Early European Exploration• – 250 years of exploration, pastoral and land use• Contemporary land use• – cropping, grazing, sandalwood, mining, tourism

John Forrest HillAnd cairn

POTENTIAL GEO-TRAIL KEY AREAS WITHIN THE GUNDUWA CONSERVATION REGION

Wubin – 3.5hrs n of Perth (270km)

Perth to Paynes Find – 6 hours, 450km)

Mullewa - 5hrs, 470km

POTENTIAL GEOSITES

Two local examples

Charles Darwin Reserve

Discussions with Community Leaders• Key elements:• Create more awareness of the

potential – community, government and business

• Engage with the locals

• Tourism is important

• Geoparks, Geotourism add to the opportuities

Thank You• This project is supported by the following:• Gunduwa Conservation Region Association• Bush Heritage Australia• Shires of Perenjori, Morawa, Yalgoo and Bencubbin• Murdoch University