Australian Geoscience Council Inc.
Geotourism
Click here to see the Inventory of Australian Geotrails
National Geotourism Strategy Working Group Newsletters.
Information Bulletin August 2024, updated October 2024
An update and background to the development of geotourism, GeoRegions, geotrails and geoparks. AGCInformationBulletin24October2024.pdf
Guidelines for Sustainable Geotrail Development
Working Group 3 has released its Guidelines for Sustainable Geotrails.
Guidelines for the Development of GeoRegions
As an outcome of the National Geotourism Strategy, the Australian Geoscience Council Inc has
recommended that groups wishing to establish potential geoparks should explore various
alternative options for geotourism development, such as by first establishing GeoRegions. Guidelines and Summary sheet
Geofest 2024
Geofest 2024 was successfully held in both Indonesia and Australia in July 2024. A video showing some highlights from the Blue Mountains field trip is available here – Go to YouTube
The completion report is available here.
Proposal for a National Framework for the Listing of Geoheritage Sites Suitable for Geotourism
NGS Working Group 4 have released their proposal for a National Framework. NGS WG4 Geoheritage Report
Seminar – Understanding Geotourism and the National Geotourism Strategy
Public Talk to Geoscience Australia on the topic of geotourism in Australia, held on 22nd March 2023 – Watch on Youtube
MoC with Indonesian Geoparks Network
On the 25th of May 2023 the AGC signed a Memorandum of Co-Operation with the Indonesian Geoparks Network. Read the press release. Link to the MoC
Understanding Geotourism, GeoRegions, and Geoparks in Australia through the National Geotourism Strategy
New Government Visitor Economy Strategy Embraces Geotourism and GeoRegions
SYDNEY, 7 April 2022: The President of the Australian Geoscience Council (AGC), Professor David Cohen, has welcomed the release of the Australian Government’s THRIVE 2030 Visitor Economy Strategy. This strategy will assist the tourism industry and governments in planning for sustainable long-term growth of the visitor economy over the next decade.
As a response to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the AGC is currently implementing a National Geotourism Strategy, launched on 7th April 2021 by AGC President David Cohen, and which is being designed to support the orderly development of major geotourism projects and activities in line with overseas trends and domestic regional development imperatives. Tourism Industry development benefits can be realised through the holistic approach of geotourism which enhances the value of traditionally structured, nature-based tourism by generating new product development (i.e. including geology, landscape, flora and fauna, as well as cultural heritage attributes, both Aboriginal and post European settlement, including mining). In essence, in Australia, geotourism has been defined as ‘tourism which focuses on an area’s geology and landscape as the basis for providing visitor engagement, learning and enjoyment’. At the same time, the pursuit of geotourism offers the potential for new industries and employment opportunities through the development of major projects within Australia.
The Strategy, is being guided by a specialist reference group led by former Chair of the Australian Geoscience Council, Dr Jon Hronsky OAM, who considers geotourism as a very effective way of communicating the value of geoscience to the broader Australian community. Improving the profile of the geosciences will help attract more of our top students to become professional geoscientists and support national efforts in protection of the environment, dealing with geological hazards, and discovery of the next generation of metal deposits that will underpin growth in renewable energy and the use of smart materials.
The National Geotourism Strategy has seven strategic goals. These span pathways for identifying and implementing major geotourism projects, to the development of digital platforms to provide information for travellers on geological features in the landscape. The Strategy will link three ‘geos’ – recognising our geoheritage and establishing new geotrails that are suitable for various styles of geotourism.
Key documents relating to the launch of the Strategy can be downloaded