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Geotourism in Western Australia

Alan Briggs – Murdoch University

Geoscience and SocietyMonday 27 June 2016

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Contents of Presentation

1. Introduction

2. Geotourism

3. Geotourism in WA

Wave RockWestern Australia

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Three Global Geotourism Books

2006 20102010

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2008 - Australia2010 - Malaysia2011 – Oman

Three Global Conferences

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WA BooksGeology Guides DPaWs Bush Books

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Geotourism· Geotourism is the tourism of

geology and landforms

· Its focus is on the Abiotic environment, ie: geology

· It uses this focus to inform the Biotic environment (plants & animals) as well the Cultural environment (people past & present)

· It can occur in either natural or built environments

Horizontal FallsWestern Australia

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The Environment‘ABC’ elements

Type of Tourism

Abiotic Landforms Landscapes Geotourism

Biotic Animals (Fauna)Plants (Flora)

Ecotourism

CulturalPeople

Past & PresentCulturalTourism

The Environment and Tourism

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3. Appropriate InterpretationIn

terp

reta

tion

FormProcess

Time

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Form

ProcessTourism’sFeatures

Geology’sFeatures

Wave RockWestern Australia

Time

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Geotourism in WA

Elephant Rocks, William Bay National Park

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Purnululu

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Raft Point, Kimberley

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King George Sound

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Mitchell Falls

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Cockburn Range, El Questro

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Pilbara, WA Discovery Drive Trail

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Ningaloo Reef

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Mt Augustus

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Shark Bay, Western Australia

Photo from International Space Station

Dirk Hartog Island

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Stromatolites

Shell Beach, Shark Bay

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Francois Peron National ParkShark Bay World Heritage Region

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Nature’s Window, KalbarriNature’s Window, Kalbari

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Sky Walk, Kalbari

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The Pinnacles

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Wave Rock

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Cape to Cape WalkA 135 km walk along a rugged coastline

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Canal Rocks, SW WA

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Cultural Connectionbegins in the carpark

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Stirling Ranges, SW WA

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Bluff Knoll

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Castle Rock

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The Gap, Albany

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Esperance

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Perth – Urban Walk Trails

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Perth – Proposed Hills Walk Trail

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Conclusions· Geotourism is a rapidly growing form

of sustainable tourism development

· Its growth is predicated on fostering geo-conservation, community well-being and local economic benefits

· It has direct application in Western Australia due to our ancient geology, diverse landscapes and tourism potential

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Geotourism in Western Australia

Alan Briggs – Murdoch University

Geoscience and SocietyMonday 27 June 2016

THE END