A webinar for undergraduates organised by Dr Melinda McHenry, Physical Geographer and Learning & Teaching Strategist at The University of Tasmania and presented by Angus M Robinson, Coordinator, National Geotourism Strategy being implemented by the Australian Geoscience Council. .

1. ‘Career Opportunities Realised through Geotourism’
UTAS Webinar
4th April 2022
Angus M Robinson
Coordinator, National Geotourism Strategy

2. Presenter:
Angus M Robinson
 Graduating in 1968, exploration geologist by
profession and initially eight years working for
US mining companies inc work in Tasmania.
 Then senior executive roles Mt Hotham Alpine
Resort, NSW Geological Survey, Dept Mineral
Resources, Earth Exchange Museum, and
Taronga and Western Plains Zoo.
 Followed by 14 years in senior executive roles
relating to advanced engineering, technology
park development, and hi-tech,
manufacturing industry association activities.
 Since 2008, in semi-retirement,engaged in
ecotourism/geotourism activities as an eco-
certified tour operator.
 Coordinator, AGC’s National Geotourism
Strategy – pro bono role.

3. ‘Modern Day Explorers’ – 1978
An Early Geotourism Awakening!
Whilst working at the Mt
Hotham Alpine Resort, I wrote
a feature article in a tourism
publication entitled ‘modern
day explorers’ and described
the ‘natural heritage’ of the
mining area of Chillagoe,
FarNQ based on my
observations as an exploration
geologist in the early 1970s.

4. What is the Purpose of Geoscience?
 To explore, develop and celebrate the links between
geological heritage and all other aspects of natural,
cultural and intangible heritages.
 By studying these issues, geoscientists, along with other
scientists and geographers (all ‘geo-professionals’), can
anticipate earth's future and examine any changes that
may need to be made.
Angus M Robinson inspired by the UNESCO Global Geoparks Program & the Geological
Survey of Ireland

5. The Mineral
Exploration/
Geotourism
Interface
 Exploring the opportunity for
discovery.
 Love of landscapes/great
outdoors/travel.
 Satisfying project work with
challenges.
 Learning new skills and
knowledge.
 Educating/enthusing others in
an outdoor environment -
quite different from the
museum experience.

6. Today’s
Agenda
 Why the AGC interest?
 Ecotourism and geotourism
 Socio-economic benefits of
geotourism
 The National Geotourism Strategy
 Goal 5: focusing on mining
communities and mining heritage
 Goal 2: National Landscapes,
GeoRegions, and Geoparks
 Goal 3: Geotrails & Time Walks
 West Coast GeoRegion, Tasmania
 Take-Aways

7. AGC
Interest in
Geotourism
 Geotourism offers the
potential for new industries
and employment opportunities
for geoscientists through the
development of major
projects within Australia.
 Geotourism offers one of the
best ways to communicate the
value of geoscience to the
broader Australian
community.

8. Ecotourism
&
Geotourism
Concepts
 Ecotourism is practised
predominantly in protected
areas such as national parks
whereas geotourism is
undertaken also in all areas
where primary industry
activities are being carried
out.
 Geotourism is increasingly
seen globally as an
instrument of regional
economic development.

9. Geotourism
– ‘Place
based and
Holistic’
 comprises the following features of both natural
and cultural heritage:
 Abiotic – non-living aspects such as the sky,
climate & geology, landscape and landforms:
celebrating GEODIVERSITY.
 Biotic – the living parts e.g., flora (plants) and
fauna (animals): celebrating BIODIVERSITY.
 Cultural – past & present, both Aboriginal and
post European settlement (incl. mining), non-
living and built: celebrating HUMAN DIVERSITY.
 Holistic in scope, geotourism is booming
globally and a key driver for tourism,
particularly in Europe and Asia.

10. 10
Geotourism – ‘Place Based’ Tourism

11. Geotourism incorporating
all types of ‘nature-based’ tourism
Sightseeing,
‘Scenic Areas'
Cuisine
Agritourism
Aboriginal
Tourism
Astro-
tourism
Cultural
Tourism
ECOTOURISM
Geotourism
i.e. ‘experiential
tourism’

12. Fundamentals of Geotourism
Geotourism is
not 'geological
tourism’
Geotourism is
rather ‘place
based’

13. Geotourism Delivery Mechanisms within
‘GeoRegions’ (An Australian Construct)
1. Geosites & Mining Heritage Sites.
2. Geotrails
3. Geological Time Walks.
4. Geoparks - both national and UNESCO global.

14. Defining a
GeoRegion -
the first step
in evaluating
the potential
of a Geopark.
 An area defined by a proponent
(which might include for example
a LGA or a RDA) having completed
an approved tourism Destination
Management Plan (DMP).
 And the proponent now wishes to
seek agreement from the
State/Territory Geological Survey
to designate a defined area of
particular natural and cultural
heritage which highlights
outstanding geoheritage features.
i.e., a GeoRegion

15. Societal
Benefits of
Developing a
GeoRegion for
Geotourism
 By celebrating the geological heritage
of an identified GeoRegion, and in
connection with all other aspects of
the area’s natural and cultural
heritage (and most significantly,
Aboriginal heritage), geotourism
enhances awareness and
understanding of key issues facing
society.
 Geotourism gives local people a sense
of pride and strengthens their
identification with a GeoRegion.

16. Why a
National
Geotourism
Strategy?
 Unique opportunity for engaging the
broader community with geoscience.
 With COVID-19, domestic tourism is
now looking for new product
development.
 Major opportunity for rural and
regional development, focusing on
both natural and cultural heritage,
both mining and Aboriginal.
 Emerging grass-roots community
support evident – however this
requires implementation to be
effective.
 Need this national strategy to
complement what the Aust. Govt.
delivered for ecotourism in 1994.

17. AGC National Geotourism Strategy Principles
 United national voice for geotourism development.
 Working with a large specialist reference group.
 Working closely with government agencies at all
levels to gain their support and endorsement.
 Reaching out to other natural and cultural heritage
specialists.
 Engaging with local communities.

18. National
Geotourism
Strategic
Goals
1. Consideration of new digital technologies e.g.,
3D visualisation, AR & VR etc.
2. To define an approval pathway for major
geotourism projects.
3. To establish a framework for creating high
quality, sustainable geotrails.
4. To establish a national listing for geoheritage
sites suitable for geotourism.
5. To develop geotourism in regional mining
communities with potential geoheritage and
cultural heritage sites.
6. To strengthen Australia's international geoscience
standing through geotourism excellence.
7. To develop and enhance geoscience
interpretation and communication skills for natural
and cultural heritage professionals engaged in
geotourism.

19. Dr Melinda McHenry
Chair, Goal 5
Working Group
 Goal 5 identifies opportunities for geotourism
in rural and regional Australian post (or active)
mining communities, where surfaces are exposed
by mining, and their recreational, educational,
and cultural values can be realised.
 Goal 5 aims to draw attention to these places, and
to the range of activities that could be conducted
in these places.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/-KiF28J2n-k

20. Diversity of
Geotourism
& Mining
Heritage
 Existing and abandoned mining sites.
 Old mining towns e.g., Broken Hill.
 Historic mining regions e.g., West
Coast Tasmania, Herberton and
Etheridge, Far NQ; Blinman, SA.
 Economic Geology geosites e.g.,
gossans, alteration zones e.g.,
Broken Hill and Arkaroola.
 Old mine site complexes combining
mining, museums, ecological
interpretation, history and culture
e.g., Hill End, NSW, Illawara and
Lithgow Coalfields, NSW.
 All underpinned by RICH STORIES.

21. Mining Geotourism
Gossans and Alteration Zones

22. Gossan of the Broken Hill Orebody

23. Lithgow State Mine and Heritage Park

24. Lithgow State Mine and Heritage Park

25. Jinguashi Gold Ecological Park, Taiwan
Chillagoe Smelters Heritage Site, FarNQ

26. Chillagoe Smelters Heritage Trail

27. Jinguashi Gold Ecological Park, Taiwan
Herberton Mining Centre and Walking Trails

28. Herberton Mining Centre

29. Etheridge ‘Scenic GeoRegion’, Queensland
Comprising the entire Shire of
Etheridge, and including areas
of outstanding volcanic and
mining heritage - some 40,000
sq km in area.
Embracing 1.7 billion years of
geological history.
Only 950 people, mainly cattle
farmers.

30. .

32. Etheridge Scenic Area – A ‘Defacto’ Geopark
 Geosites – In abundance, with Undara as a global icon.
 Geo villages – Four small townships, all with community
engaged geosites (including agate, sapphire and gold fields);
key established ecotourism resorts of Undara & Cobbold
Gorge; and the indigenous Talaroo Hot Springs development.
 Geotrails – The Savannah Way (Lava tubes, Gems and Gorges
Trail) with connections to nearby mining heritage locations.
 National Parks – Undara Volcanic Park & six other park areas.
 TerrEstrial Mineral/Fossil Museum– Most significant mineral
museum in Qld.
 Many heritage mining sites & small gold mining operations
underscores Etheridge’s status of one Australia’s most
diversified mineralised areas.

33. Value of Museum Mineral Collections
“National and local museums can be a valuable
source of information from an exploration
perspective. If there is a comprehensive collection
of minerals and ore suites from former and existing
mines, an exploration geologist can quickly view the
various styles of mineralisation and ore deposit
types”.
Douglas J Kirwin
President 2019
Society of Economic Geologists

34. Public Mining & Mineral Collections
and Tourist Mine Sites – Tasmania
• West Coast
Heritage Centre,
Zeehan.
• Tasmanian
Museum and Art
Gallery, Hobart.
• GSTas, Hobart
• Queen Victoria
Museum & Art
Gallery (not
public),
Launceston.
• UTAS, Hobart.
Key: Gold font indicates mineral collections available for public viewing

35. Societal
Benefits of
Geotourism
for
Mining
Communities
• A mechanism for celebrating and
raising awareness of mining
heritage, past & present.
• An opportunity to enhance
community engagement and build
social value through ESG
considerations i.e. ’social licence’.
• By celebrating an area’s natural and
cultural heritage (and most
significantly, Aboriginal heritage),
geotourism also enhances the
understanding of what mining
heritage is worth conserving and
presenting as a significant
contribution to regional economic
development and as adaptive re-use
of mining landscapes.
• MMG and Rosebery, Tasmania.

36. Geotourism,
& Mining
Heritage
Opportunities
 Link through geotrail development,
mining heritage into established tourism
infrastructure and product offerings.
e.g., Murchison GeoRegion & Kalgoorlie
Boulder, WA.
 Develop and promote tourist mines e.g.,
Blinman Mine, Flinders Ranges, SA.
 Develop major national mining parks
e.g., Hunter Valley, NSW; Central
Highlands, Qld; and Latrobe Valley,
Victoria.

37. Proposed Hunter Valley National Mining Park
“A Vision Beyond Mine Site Rehabilitation -
the largest national mining park in the world to
be established to celebrate the significant role
that mining has played for Australia’s
development.”
http://www.leisuresolutions.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/abstract_robinson-et-al_rev.docx
• Native flora and fauna habitat conservation – all connected through corridors;
• ‘Soft adventure’ recreation.
• Coal mining heritage sites, geosites and geotrails.
• Areas set aside for renewable energy generation (solar arrays, wind farms,
biomass production) embracing light industrial sites and ‘value adding’
manufacturing.
• Engagement with the six strategic hubs of the Strategic Aboriginal Culture and
Enterprise Scheme of the Wonnarua Nation Aboriginal Corporation.

38. Melding
Geotourism
& Mining
Heritage –
Overseas
Exemplars
 China has some 70 national mining
parks, notably the Changyu Dongtian
National Mineral Mountain Park.
 A major tourism attraction in Taiwan –
Jinguashi Gold Ecological Park.
 Baia Mare Geological Mining Park,
Romania.
 Geological & Mining Park, Sardinia,
Italy.
 Lusatia rehabilitated coal mining
region, Brandenburg State, Germany.
 Black Country UNESCO Global Geopark
in the UK.

39. Lusatia
Coal Mine
Rehabilitation
Germany

40. Black Country
UNESCO Global Geopark, UK
Mining Heritage

41. Key Issue
for the
Mining
Industry
National
Geotourism
Strategic
Goal # 5
 The acknowledgement of Aboriginal
cultural heritage beyond the
benefits offered through
geotourism includes the need to
ensure it is appropriately
protected.
 This will ensure the preservation of
Aboriginal cultural heritage is
equally as important as that of
mining and other aspects of
cultural landscapes, thus leading to
improving the public perception of
mining professionals and the
industries in which they work.

42. Australia’s 16 National Landscapes – ‘Scenic Areas’

43. Australia’s National Landscapes Programme
Partnership between tourism and conservation that aims to:
 Promote world class, high quality visitor experiences
 Increase the value of tourism to regional economies
 Enhance the role of protected areas in those economies
 Build support for protecting our natural and cultural assets
 Engage local communities
A long term strategic approach
‘To differentiate Australia’s
iconic natural and cultural
destinations from anything else
available in the world’

44. Island of Tasmania
Australia’s Red Centre National Landscape

45. Iconic Geotourism Themes of
Australia’s Red Centre National Landscape
 A: Landforms and common geological heritage
 B: Red Kangaroo species, and other type
flora/fauna
 C: Indigenous (and European) culture

46. National Landscapes & UNESCO Global Geoparks
 Have similar goals relating to local development and
community engagement as well as education and
experiential tourism (‘geotourism’).
 Both require government approval but with different
government stakeholders.
 However, the Australian National Landscape
Programme has been formerly disbandoned by its
government sponsors, but the iconic landscapes and
their communities are still very much in place!

47. Goal 2:
AGC’s
Preferred
Approach
 Emphasise the concept of identifying
GeoRegions not Geoparks in key areas
of outstanding geoheritage, with early
consultation with Geological Surveys
to address their requirements.
 Initially focus on developing geotrails
within these GeoRegions to build
community, business, State/Territory
Government support.
 Focus efforts initially on two key
GeoRegions (Ku-ring-gai, NSW and
Murchison, WA), where significant
effort has already been committed, as
prototypes for this process.

48. National
Geotourism
Strategic
Goal #3
To establish a framework for
creating high quality sustainable
geotrails
 OUTCOME: Exemplars of
national, regional and local
geotrails installed across
Australia.
 MEASURE: Number of new
projects initiated each year.
 TARGET: To be completed
within 10 years.

49. Geotrail Characteristics -
A First Definition
‘A Geotrail delivers geotourism experiences
through a journey linked by an area's geology
and landscape as the basis for providing visitor
engagement, learning and enjoyment’.

50. Why Geotrails?
 Relates directly to the tourism experience of a
journey linking destinations.
 In Australia, unlike geoparks, geotrails have
widespread appeal, and do not compete with or
impact on land management/access issues.
 Geotrails are relatively easy to establish and
represent a very cost effective means of enhancing
regional development.
 Can form the basis of a 'defacto geopark'.

51. Best
Practice
Geotrails
 Should be constructed around
routes currently used by
tourists; geotrails should form
logical journeys linking
accommodation destinations.
 Should meld the geological
heritage features of a region
with a cohesive STORY.
 Should incorporate and
package in the biodiversity
and cultural components
(including mining heritage) of
the region through which the
geotrail traverses.

52. Exemplar: Port Macquarie Coastal Geotrail, NSW
"The collaborative geotrail project has been led by the University of
Newcastle (A) & supported by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, the
Geological Survey of NSW (A), NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
(B) & Birpai Local Aboriginal Land Council (C). Supported by a
brochure, website & smartphone app, the Port Macquarie Coastal
Geotrail is a four kilometre walk from Shelly Beach to Rocky Beach
that tells the story of plate tectonics & how the Earth’s crust was
formed along the stretch of coastline over the past 460 million years."

55. Current & Potential Regional Geotrail Projects in Australia
 Tasmania - West Coast Geotrail.
 Victoria - Kanawinka, Great Ocean Road.
 South Australia - Great Central Geotrail.
 Western Australia - Murchison GeoTrail.
 New South Wales - Warrumbungles Geotrails, Central
West Gondwana project.
 Northern Territory – Various proposals (e.g. Red Centre
Way).
 Queensland - Savannah Way, Boulder Opal, and ‘Dig the
Tropic’ Geotrail (through the Central Highlands)
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_V1oZeqdUg0

56. ‘The Living Earth’ – Cradle Coast Geotrail

57. Flinders Ranges
National Landscape
Brachina Gorge Geological Trail and Bunyeroo Valley

58. Flinders Ranges
National Landscape
Brachina Gorge Geological Trail and Bunyeroo Valley

59. Grand Canyon Time Trail
Descends ~1.3km and trail is >5km long

60. Grand Canyon Time
Trail

61. Jinguashi Gold Ecological Park, Taiwan
Geological TimeWalk,Geoscience Australia, Ca
1.1 km long embracing 4.6 billion years

62. Ulladulla Geological Time
Walk -
Conceived and Created by
Retired Geologist, Phil Smart

63. ‘The Living
Earth’ – West
Coast Geotrail
Section

64. ‘The Living Earth’ – West Coast Geotrail

65. Likely Geotourism Themes of
the West Coast GeoRegion
 A: Landforms and geological heritage
 B: Flora and Fauna – more than just trees and ‘furry
animals’
 C: Indigenous (and European) culture including forestry
and mining heritage, as well as early settlement
history.

66. Likely Geotourism Themes of
the West Coast GeoRegion, via the Wilderness Railway

67. Melding
Geotourism,
Mineral &
Mining
Heritage
West Coast
GeoRegion
 Continuing need to link through
geotrails, mining heritage into
established tourism infrastructure and
product offerings e.g., West Coast
Geotrail.
 Opportunity to link through geotrails,
and cross promote mineral and fossil
museums (with their outstanding
collections) to existing popular
museums such as the Zeehan Minerals
Museum.
 Opportunity to develop a major
national mining park or alternatively a
a ‘defacto’ UNESCO Global Geopark.

68. Societal
Benefits of
Geotourism
West Coast
GeoRegion
 A mechanism for celebrating and raising
awareness of mining heritage, past and
present.
 An opportunity to enhance community
engagement and build value into ‘Social
Licence’ considerations.
 By celebrating geological heritage, and in
connection with all other aspects of the
area’s natural and cultural heritage (and
most significantly, indigenous heritage),
geotourism enhances awareness and
understanding of key issues facing society,
such as using our earth’s resources
sustainably.
 By raising awareness of the importance of
the area’s geological heritage in society
today, geotourism gives local people a
sense of pride in their region and
strengthens their identification with the
area.

69. Over-riding
Socio-
economic
Benefits of
Geotourism
West Coast
GeoRegion
 Measurable economic benefits
through enhancement of traditional
nature-based tourism - additional
visitors, direct and regional
economic output, household income
and wages, and local (including
Indigenous) employment.
 Through establishment of a higher
level of centralised coordination in
areas of product development,
travel and hospitality services,
tourism promotion/branding.
 Through its defined mission,
community engagement is
maximised and measured.

70. Employment
Benefits of
Geotourism
West Coast
GeoRegion
Through geotourism, can significantly
improve employment, and more broadly,
regional employment.
 New domestic employment and
consulting opportunities for
natural/cultural heritage professionals –
design of interpretation signage/boards,
design of geotrails etc.
 Management roles in potential mining
parks and geoparks, regional
development and LGAs.
 Flow-on employment in tour operations
and townships resulting from increased
tourism visitation.

71. Take-Aways for Aspiring ‘Geo Professionals’
 New domestic employment and consulting opportunities
for professionals – strategic planning, interpretation
signage/boards, design of geotrails etc.
 Consulting opportunities in developing countries where
geoparks are now being nominated and developed.
 Management roles in geoparks, regional development and
local government agencies.
 Personal contributions made towards regional
development throughout Australia.
 Opportunity for geology related interests during early
retirement.

72. ‘GeoExPro’ Project – Tasmanian Promotion
 Outstanding opportunity to promote globally Tasmania as
one of Australia’s top geotourism destinations/national
landscapes(ANLs) .
 The Red Centre, the Kimberley, Flinders Ranges, and the
Great SouthWest Edge ANLs already promoted in previous
issues.
 Project team needs to create a journey (geotrail) around
Tasmania, identifying key geotourism highlights, to tell a
compelling story to intending visitors from a global
geoscience professional audience.
 An opportunity to promote Tasmania to a discerning
geoscience audience.
 An opportunity to define the geotourism highlights of
Tasmania.

73. Contact Details
Angus M Robinson FAusIMM (CP)
angus@leisuresolutions.com.au
Tel: 0418 488 340
https://www.slideshare.net/leisuresolutions
http://www.leisuresolutions.com.au/index.php/geotourism-industry-groups/
Information about Australian Geotourism and Geopark Development Activities
Information about the National Geotourism Strategy
https://www.agc.org.au/geoscience-in-australia/geotourism/

74. Q & A
Convenor: Dr Melinda McHenry
Physical Geographer and Learning & Teaching
Strategist at The University of Tasmania
.