Geohistory Tourism in Australia

Australian Geohistory Tourism

Geohistory tourism in Australia is just beginning. The Ecotourism component of Geohistory tours is better developed than the Geological or Geotourism component. Cultural tourism is developed in Europe based on many thousands of years on human history and culture and is an evolving part of tourist experiences in Australia. The world science fair has been held in Brisbane, Queensland  for the past 3 years and this year was located in the Southbank Parklands adjacent to the  QPAC centre.

Queensland

Google map ,Queensland

Queensland has the potential to create a thriving industry in geohistory tourism based on its climate, local development and natural resources. the ways that these tours could operate would include:

1.. Traditional tour with guide and brochure and commentary and a set agenda for the travel.  This would suit larger tour groups and particularly those from overseas with limited English and time to visit the State.

2. self guided tour using brochures, printouts,  Thus would link to the grey nomads who have both enough time and are not very computer literate and like to travel the main highways of the country seeking out interesting places to visit along their travels.

3.Self/tour  guided tour using phone apps or websites would  link best with tech savvy tourist who enjoys the constant use of   smart phone apps to locate all their  items of interest  .   This concept of using a hone app to highlight the building stones of the city of Brisbane was first showcased in the International Geological Congress (IGC in 2012) as the Geotourism Brisbane app  This has been upgraded and used in the 2017 World Science Fair  (e.g. Konect Tourism).  The concept includes creating digital postcards in front of sites of interest. Regions included and shown on the following slide. The Konect App could be a model for self -guided Global Geohistory Tourism. The most northerly area covers the Etheridge shire and has been complied with the purpose of creating Australia’s first geopark. Other areas completed include Eungella National park and the Brisbane CBD. Work is continuing on North Stradbroke Island and the Redcliffe Peninsular.

The Queensland map illustrates where a telephone app has collected material over the state for geohistory tourism.  The blue highlighted area covers the Etheridge Shire which was proposed as Australia’s first Geopark. unfortunately due to local politics this did not eventuate and there is significant information about the geological features of this region documented in the Konect Tourism phone app.  Similarly information for the Eungella national park, Brisbane CBD and parts of the Redcliffe peninsular north of Brisbane has also been completed.

Further compilation of the Redcliffe Peninsular and the immediate inland regions of southeast Queensland is being undertaken with guided and self guided tourist expereinces.  Places to stay overnight and for a few days to adequately explore the southeast is being compiled.

Global Geohistory Tourism or Geotourism

 Geotourism, Geohistory Tourism, Ecotourism and Cultural or Human History Tourism.

According to Wikipdeia, Geotourism was first defined (Hose, 1995) in England.[2] There are two viewpoints of geotourism:

  1. Purely geological and geomorphologically-focused Sustainable Tourism as abiotic nature based tourism.[1] This is the definition followed in most of the world.
  2. Geographically Sustainable Tourism, the most common definition in the USA. This emphasises preservation of the geographical sense of a place in general, beyond simple geological and geomorphological features, as a new charter & concept in the sustainable tourism.

Wikipedia’s definition is essentially only concerned with the identification of geological evolution, rocks and landscapes of a region, their promotion, evolution and preservation. A similar definition by

Geotourism  is defined  as a form of natural area tourism that specifically focuses on geology  and landscape geosites and the conservation of geo-diversity and an understanding of earth sciences through appreciation and learning. This is achieved through independent visits to geological features, use of geo-trails and view points, guided tours, geo-activities and patronage of geosite visitor centres. This definition is similar to that of wikipedia’s geotourism definition. It expands the definition to include specific ideas on methods to develop geotourism in a region.

Geotourism is ‘tourism that focuses on geology and landscape as the basis for providing visitor engagement, learning, and enjoyment’ (Governing Council of the Geological Society of Australia, 2015). Western Australia has landscapes and rocks both old and new, well suited to a variety of tourism experiences. The Geological Survey of Western Australia (GSWA) develops geotourism products that can help the traveller to genuinely experience the magnificent geological heritage of the State.

Geotourism is defined by Tao Xu School of Humanities and Economic Management, China University of Geosciences (Beijing).  He identified 24 models of geotourism, which are all essential related to geology, geology research, entertainment, shopping and eating.

Geotourism is defined by National Geographic as tourism that sustains or enhances the distinctive geographical character of a place—its environment, heritage, aesthetics, culture, and the well-being of its residents.

This definition of Geotourism by National Geographic  Tourism is more closely aligned to the geographic rather than specifically the definition of geological rocks processes and landscape model of Geotourism

Geohistory Tourism has had a range of defintions – according to Mirriam Webster it includes history interpreted on the basis of geographic factors.  

Based on this definition Geohistory tourism would encompass Geotourism according to National Geographic.  These definitions place Geohistory tourism as emcompassing Geotourism based on geology, landscapes and research of the Chinese experience linked to

Additionally it can emcompass Geotourism based on earth science and geography, ecotouristionalm about the evolution linked to the appreciation and conservation of the natural world and cultural tourism based on the understanding and celebration of the cultural  diversity of different regions based on their past and current cultural norms.