Country Charm Discovery Tour

12/06/2024

REGISTER NOW FOR GEOFEST 2024 EARLY BIRD DEALS

We are very pleased to be co-hosting the GEOFEST 2024 Sydney Workshop to be held at The University of Sydney next month. Will we see you there?

We’re looking forward to learning more about the developing field of geotourism and the progress being made in spreading knowledge in this area. This is key to increasing public awareness of the intrinsic role geology plays in our appreciation of our landscape and the environment, particularly relating to wildlife. Guidance will be obtained by learning from our Indonesian workshop participants, who are all more advanced in geopark development and in measuring the social (including cultural) and economic impacts of geotourism.

We’re also passionate about seeking opportunities for geoscientists, all of whom are intrigued by volcanoes, and others interested in developing closer tourism links with our nearest neighbors - Indonesia and New Zealand.

At the Workshop, in addition to our Indonesian, Australian and New Zealand specialist speakers, there will be two interactive panel discussions, one on sustainable development and the other on geotourism opportunities for geoscientists guided by the leaders driving Australia’s National Geotourism Strategy.

GEOFEST 2024 Sydney Workshop is being hosted by the Australian Geoscience Council (AGC), the Indonesian Geoparks Network, and The University of Sydney and co-hosted by generous sponsorship from various AGC societies (The AusIMM and its Sydney Branch, the AIG, and the GSA), and SMEDG. With ticket prices set at a highly affordable level to maximise participation, ‘EARLY BIRD’ REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW AVAILABLE UNTIL 17th JUNE.

To learn more about the impressive main workshop (inclusive of a celebratory dinner, the field trip program, and the special wildlife workshop), refer to and please register at www.geofest.com.au

Dr Young Ng
Convenor, GEOFEST 2024 SYDNEY WORKSHOP

09/06/2024

Following the successful convening by Ecotourism Australia of the highly informative Global Sustainable Summit in Brisbane last week, it was timely to read the excellent feature article by Ute Junker in the Weekend AFR today. The feature was all about "sustainability tourism" and focused on a number of locations worldwide which included reference to Tropical North Queensland and a national park in Indonesia.

Both these regions are featured in the upcoming workshop in Sydney next month with the theme 'Volcano as a world class sustainable geotourism destination'. Volcanoes are prominent landforms of many of the ten UNESCO Global Geoparks discussed at the workshop, and which features specialist speakers from Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand, with an additional day devoted to wildlife tourism.

Holistically structured geotourism does of course embrace the flora and fauna attributes featured in the ecotourism experience. Led by Dr Ronda Green, President of Wildlife Tourism Australia, and with specialised knowledge of wildlife in the Asia Pacific region, Ronda is chair of Biodiversity Working Group within IUCN’s Tourism and Protected Areas Group. Indonesia and Australia are both amongst the world’s highest-ranking countries in terms of biodiversity and endemism. The two countries mostly harbour quite different fauna and flora, but also share quite a few taxonomic groups such as fruit bats, marsupials, monotremes, cassowaries, megapodes, bowerbirds, birds of paradise, cuckoos, crocodiles, and monitor lizards.

The Sydney event offers a unique opportunity to gain an informed understanding of the vast potential of and the various issues relating to sustainable geotourism in the Asia Pacific region into which Australian environmental specialists (including geoscientists) and ecotourists/geotourists) are now being attracted.

The GEOFEST 2024 Sydney Workshop is being hosted by the Australian Geoscience Council (AGC), the Indonesian Geoparks Network, and The University of Sydney and co-hosted by generous sponsorship from various AGC societies (The AusIMM, the AIG, and the GSA), and SMEDG. With ticket prices set an a highly affordable level to maximise participation, ‘EARLY BIRD’ REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW AVAILABLE UNTIL 17th JUNE AT www.geofest.com.au

04/06/2024

VULCANISM AND GEOTOURISM IN TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND

Russell Boswell is a regional tourism development expert. He has owned and operated tour companies, created numerous ecotourism experiences and mentored hundreds of tourism businesses across Australia. He has worked in tourism development projects in the Pacific, Indonesia, and China. Russell delivers programs in destination planning, storytelling, and business development. Russell is a graduate of The University of Sydney (USYD) and serves on two working groups of Australia’s National Geotourism Strategy.

Russell also manages Savannah Guides, a not-for-profit organisation delivering professional development for tour guides, including training, field schools and accreditation. Savannah Guides operates the EcoGuide program, benchmarking high standard tour guiding in Australia and internationally.

Based in Cairns, Tropical North Queensland, Russell is well familiar with the world famous geotourism attraction of the Undara Lava Tubes located west of the Atherton Tablelands. He is particularly interested in the underdeveloped and less well known Recent volcanic attractions on the Tablelands which has some of the youngest extinct volcanoes in Australia including Lake Eacham, Lake Barrine, the Seven Sisters Mountain range (The Pinnacles), the Mount Hypipamee Crater, and Mount Quincan.

Russell will be speaking at the GEOFEST 2024 Sydney Workshop which is being hosted by the Australian Geoscience Council, the Indonesian Geoparks Network, and USYD and co-hosted by generous sponsorship from various AGC societies (The AusIMM, the AIG, and the GSA), and SMEDG. With ticket prices set an a highly affordable level to maximise participation, ‘EARLY BIRD’ REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW AVAILABLE UNTIL 17th JUNE AT WWW.GEOFEST.COM.AU

03/06/2024

29/05/2024

KEY ATTRACTIONS OF THE BLUE MOUNTAINS RE-EMERGE FROM HIBERNATION

Regular visitors to one of Australia's best known destinations will be pleased to learn that the Conservation Hut at Wentworth Falls has at last been reopened after several years of closure. This attraction now features excellent refreshments (inc excellent coffee and cakes) at a location with an outstanding view across Jamieson Valley and at the starting point of two short walks.

On this note it is also great to see the top section of the nearby Darwin's walk reopened :)

22/05/2024

Wildlife Tourism in Australia and Indonesia and its relationship to Geotourism:
forming part of the GEOFEST 2024 SYDNEY WORKSHOP, 18-20 JULY

GEOFEST is an international event open to geoscientists, environmental professionals, educators, students, and tourism operators. The focus of the workshop is on building a strategy framework for geotourism development. The GEOFEST 2024 Sydney Workshop is being held at The University of Sydney on Thursday 18 July and includes an optional wildlife tourism session on Saturday 20th.

Led by Dr Ronda Green, President of Wildlife Tourism Australia, with specialised knowledge of wildlife in the Asia Pacific region, Ronda is chair of Biodiversity Working Group within IUCN’s Tourism and Protected Areas Group. Indonesia and Australia are both amongst the world’s highest-ranking countries in terms of biodiversity and endemism. The two countries mostly harbour quite different fauna and flora, but also share quite a few taxonomic groups such as fruit bats, marsupials, monotremes, cassowaries, megapodes, bowerbirds, birds of paradise, cuckoos, crocodiles, and monitor lizards.

The session will discuss these shared groups and some of the endemic creatures of both countries. Some of the species will also be considered in relation to their dependence on kinds of soils or landscapes, and in some cases their own influence on soils. Finally, the session discusses some ideas on incorporating wildlife interpretation into geotourism displays and activities.
Other speakers include Professor Jatna Supriatna of the Academy of Science Wildlife, University of Indonesia, who will be discussing wilderness and potential for wildlife tourism in Indonesia.

Professor Julien Louys, Palaeontology, Griffith University will address Australasian Exchanges and Extinctions and explain why northern Australia and West Papua (Indonesia) are so alike and yet so different?

Dr Simin Maleknia of Tetratherix Medical will be discussing forensic investigations into illegal wildlife trafficking in Australia and Indonesia
Roundtable discussions will be addressing various other topics which include.

* Arousing tourist awareness of and interest in lesser-known creatures in volcanic landscapes’
* Diverse ways of presenting local wildlife to tourists: animals commonly seen; animals present but rare or cryptic; and animals of past eras.
* Ways of interpreting wildlife in geotourism: examples and ideas.
* The potential and techniques for including wildlife in geotourism.

The entire GEOFEST event is being hosted by the Australian Geoscience Council (AGC), the Indonesian Geoparks Network, and USYD and co-hosted by generous sponsorship from various AGC societies (The AusIMM, the AIG, and the GSA), and SMEDG. With ticket prices set an a highly affordable level to maximise participation, ‘EARLY BIRD’ REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW AVAILABLE UNTIL 17th JUNE AT WWW.GEOFEST.COM.AU

17/05/2024

Representing the interests of geotourism practioners through the Geotourism Forum of Ecotourism Australia, Leisure Solutions® is proud to be sponsoring Ecotourism Australia’s Global Sustainable Tourism Summit! Will we see you there? 👀

We’re passionate about growing a more sustainable tourism industry and joining the discussion. At the Summit you will hear from over 50 speakers from Australia and beyond exploring the best practice case studies, latest innovations, inspiring stories and challenges for sustainable tourism across a diverse range of topics based on the four pillars of sustainability.

Learn more about the incredible program and register before 28 May to avoid disappointment: https://lnkd.in/gvE7rPgN

📅 Dates: 4 – 6 June 2024
🕒 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
📍Pullman Mercure Brisbane King George Square, Meeanjin/Brisbane

17/05/2024

GEOTOURISM –UNDERSTANDING AND INTERPRETING CULTURAL LANDSCAPES

An address to the Australian Institute of Tour Guides (IATG), 2024 Workshop, 16 May 2024 by the Coordinator of Geotourism Australia. The concept of cultural landscapes as it relates to the Aboriginal understanding of 'Connection to Country' was also explained by IATG commitee member, Bettina Grahame, in her opening remarks to the Workshop.

The geotourism presentation, which also explained the concept of mining cultural landscapes, arrived at the following conclusions, inter alia

* Geotourism is increasingly being recognised worldwide as a major deliverer of nature-based tourism.
* Experienced guides can also play a key role in the implementation of at least three key goals of the National Geotourism Strategy i.e digital transformation, sustainable geotrail development, and enhanced geocommunications.
* Collaboration with geologists, geographers and Aboriginal culture specialists will enable Australian tour guides to deliver world-class geotourism experiences which are holistic in scope and meet the aspirations of the Austrralian Government's THRIVE 2030 Visitor Economy Strategy.

The presentation can be downloaded at https://lnkd.in/g7fjcfKe

08/05/2024

Dr PATRICIA ERFURT

Volcanic Geotourism Specialist – GEOFEST 2024 SYDNEY WORKSHOP

‘Destinations and current development of volcanic geotourism in Australia’

Patricia Erfurt has published extensively on this topic, describing each of the volcanic provinces principally located along Eastern Australia extending from Far North Queensland, through the full extent of that state, through NSW to just south of Sydney, and then incorporating much of Western Victoria into South Australia, as well as into Tasmania, not forgetting the offshore provinces of Heard and Macquarie, Lord Howe, and Norfolk islands. Volcanic activity is also exposed in the West Kimberley and Bunbury provinces of Western Australia.

On the Australian mainland (and crustal plate), Patricia has pointed out that “the origins of Australian volcanoes has been debated with different theories seeking to explain Australia’s intraplate volcanism.” Patricia has suggested that “hot spot activity is widely accepted as the most plausible explanation, with hot spots are areas where thermal plumes, which remain connected to the lower mantle, rise up from beneath the crustal plates during continental drift”.

Unlike the volcanic provinces of Indonesia, the Australian provinces are essentially inactive, although active volcanism was reportedly witnessed by Aboriginal communities both in Western Victoria and Far North Queensland within the last 5-10,00 years.

Patricia Erfurt studied geology, geography, and soil science at the University of New England, New South Wales. She also received her PhD from James Cook University (JCU) in Queensland, for the subject of natural hot springs and their role in health, wellness, and recreation. Her research interests include exploring volcanic destinations and hot spring locations with an emphasis on sustainable management and conservation of endangered geosites.

Patricia actively promotes the concept of sustainable geotourism, assists with planning and establishing geotrails, and works as advisor for the conservation of natural and cultural resources and their geoheritage.

As a collaboration between Australia and Indonesia, the GEOFEST 2024 Sydney Workshop is being held on Thursday 18 July at USYD concluding with a formal dinner with field trips on the 19th (with one to the Kiama volcanics south of Sydney) and a wildlife tourism workshop on the 20th. GEOFEST is being hosted by the Australian Geoscience Council (AGC), the IGN, and USYD and co-hosted by generous sponsorship from various AGC societies (The AusIMM, the AIG, and the GSA), their Sydney based groups, and SMEDG. With ticket prices set an a highly affordable level to maximise participation, ‘EARLY BIRD’ REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW AVAILABLE UNTIL 17th JUNE AT WWW.GEOFEST.COM.AU

Young NG Dr. Melinda McHenry Ian Neuss

08/05/2024

PROFESSIONAL TOUR GUIDES WORKSHOP FOCUSING ON HERITAGE AND CONNECTIONS,THURSDAY 16 MAY
NATIONAL TRUST CENTRE, OBSERVATORY HILL, SYDNEY

Australia has a rich natural and cultural heritage that underpins a sense of place and national identity. Our heritage includes stories, traditions, events and experiences inherited from the past and is comprised of natural, historic and Aboriginal places and people. As tour guides and tour leaders IATG's role is to showcase Australia's heritage. Through continually developing our knowledge of Australia's heritage means that tour guides not only describe, but provide meaning and understanding for their tour groups.

Geotourism will be featured at the workshop through a focus on 'Understanding and interpreting cultural landscapes'.

Bookings at this event can be accepted up to Sunday 12 May.
More Information: https://lnkd.in/gKiFr4xH

30/04/2024

REGISTER: GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE TOURISM SUMMIT, BRISBANE, 4-6 JUNE

Ecotourism Australia’s inaugural Global Sustainable Tourism Summit will bring together industry leaders and sustainability experts in Meeanjin/Brisbane, on 4-6 June 2024 to discuss the current opportunities and challenges for the sustainable tourism industry.

The Global Sustainable Tourism Summit will explore the theme ‘People, Planet, Place, Purpose’, delving into how all sectors of the visitor economy can address the four pillars of sustainability: positive environmental, cultural, and socio-economic impact, and sustainable business management. The event will continue Ecotourism Australia's legacy of hosting one of the world's longest running ecotourism conferences (formerly Global Eco) and will include a main Summit Day and a deep dive ECO Think Forum on day two.

As the peak body for eco and sustainable tourism in Australia, this event will bring together expert international, Pacific region and Australian speakers representing sustainable tourism operators, industry sectors and destinations that are delivering on world's best practice in sustainability. The Summit is designed for all sectors of the visitor economy to hear from industry leaders and sustainability experts, exchange ideas about how to grow Australia’s sustainable and ecotourism sector and showcase the latest innovations and best practice examples.

The program includes targeted discussions for tourism operators with dedicated sessions for nature-based and urban experiences to learn more about sustainability with practical insights and genuine discussions to help you grow on your journey. Also included on Day Two is a panel session highlighting high-quality experiences around unique Australian locations and themes, which embrace geotourism concepts.

Discover the full program here: https://lnkd.in/gqgsyHfd

Registrations must close 28 May 2024 (less than 4 weeks away). Ecotourism Australia members and partner members receive exclusive discounts to the event. This event is strongly endorsed by the Geotourism Forum of Ecotourism Australia https://lnkd.in/dsMaQASG and by Geotourism Australia (in support of the National Geotourism Strategy).

Don’t miss out – register today! https://lnkd.in/gvE7rPgN