This presentation discusses geotrails and geotourism. It begins by defining geotourism as tourism focused on geology and landforms to inform understanding of the biotic and cultural environment. The presentation then outlines three main sections: 1) Geotrails in general, 2) The Trail of Time in the Grand Canyon, and 3) Examples of geotrails in Australia and around the world, including the Pilbara in WA, Tasmania, and proposed trails in Perth. Geotrails can enhance existing tourism and accommodation or initiate new tourism development by providing attractions and activities centered around the geologic features of an area.

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Geotrails
Professor Ross Dowling OAM
Edith Cowan University
Geotourism Workshop - Global Eco Conference
Rottnest Island - Thursday 19 November 2015

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Contents of Presentation
1.Geotrails
2.The Trail of Time
3.Geotrails in Australia

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1. 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
Sahraf Al Alamayan
Mountain Pass, Oman

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Drive Trail, Oman

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Geohotel - MalaysiaPortugal – Beachside Geotrail

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Porto

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Sign and Brochure

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Eyjafjallajökull

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Iceland - urban geotrail Selfoss

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Earth Heritage

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South Korea –Ollie Trail, Jeju Island

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2. The Trail of Time
Grand Canyon, USA
The Trail of Time is the world’s largest
Geoscience exhibition at the world’s
grandest geologic landscape
It is a 4.56km long trail marked at every
meter with 1 m = 1 million years of earth’s
4.560 m year long geologic history
It is also supported by an electronic
‘Virtual Trail of Time’

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The Opening of the Trail of Time
Thursday 13 October 2010

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3. Geotrails
The Australian Geologist Sept 2014

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Pilbara, WA Discovery Drive Trail

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The Living Earth
West Coast Geotrail, Tasmania

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Dig the Tropics Geotrail
From the Outback to the Reef
www.digthetropic.com.au
Stone House Museum, Age of Dinosaurs Museum,
Lark Quarry, Sapphire Gemfields, Capricorn Caves

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Perth – Proposed Hills Walk Trail

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Jordan – Wadi Rum

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Perth – Urban Walk Trails

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Finally
• Geotrails can occur in both natural
or built environments
• They are both an attraction and an
activity, and they can foster
accommodation development as well
• Geotrails add value to existing
tourism regions or can be the
initiator of tourism development

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Geotrails
Professor Ross Dowling OAM
Edith Cowan University
Geotourism Workshop - Global Eco Conference
Rottnest Island - Thursday 19 November 2015