Eco-tourism at Norah Head Lighthouse

1. Eco-tourism at Norah Head Lighthouse Project undertaken and presented by:Peggy Traill & Vanessa HarrisonEcotourism Consultants

2. Welcome Eco-tourism Consultants “Treading lightly on the earth” Project undertaken and presented by: Peggy Traill & Vanessa Harrison Ecotourism Consultants

3. Eco-tourism Consultants would like to welcome - Joy Groves - Ron Stevens - Nicholle Henry - Jane Mylan - Leanne Nicholson Project undertaken and presented by: Peggy Traill & Vanessa Harrison Ecotourism Consultants

4. Acknowledgements • We would like to thank the following people for their help and contribution made available to us whilst working on our project. • Trust Members of Norah Head Lighthouse We thank Ron Stevens and Joy Groves for all of their assistance throughout this project. For their input and information that they provided us during our client meeting at the beginning of the project. • TeachersA big thankyou to our teachers Jane Mylan, Nicholle Henry and Leanne Nicholson for their contribution and brilliant ideas throughout the project. • Volunteers of Norah Head Lighthouse Thank you to the volunteer at the lighthouse who shared a lot of information and history with us at the beginning of our project. • General Public Thank you to all of the people who completed our surveys. Project undertaken and presented by: Peggy Traill & Vanessa Harrison Ecotourism Consultants

5. Acknowledgements • We would like to thank the following people for their help and contribution made available to us whilst working on our project. • Trust Members of Norah Head Lighthouse • Teachers • Volunteers of Norah Head Lighthouse • General Public Project undertaken and presented by: Peggy Traill & Vanessa Harrison Ecotourism Consultants

6. Introduction • Eco-tourism in Australia is a growing trend with many certifications and awards being presented to companies who fulfil certain criteria with their attractions. However on the central coast there are very little Eco-tourism and very little competition. • Previous reports for the trust have focused on marketing and developing the lighthouse only as a way of bringing in revenue. They have focused on tours and the accommodation available at the lighthouse. They provide basic statistics for our project to develop further into Eco-tourism. • As a result of tireless work from the Trust and help from the past Projects the Trust has recently managed to secure grants for Toilets on site and a cleanup of the precinct. Project undertaken and presented by: Peggy Traill & Vanessa Harrison Ecotourism Consultants

7. Introduction • Eco-tourism in Australia is a growing trend. • However on the central coast there are very little Eco-tourism and very little competition. • Previous reports for the trust have focused on marketing and developing the lighthouse. • Our project to develop further into Eco-tourism. Project undertaken and presented by: Peggy Traill & Vanessa Harrison Ecotourism Consultants

8. Aims of the trust • The main aims of the Trust are: • Conserve and manage the cultural significance such as Aboriginal value of the place and in doing so enhance that significance; • Conserve the ecology + geology of the place; • As a place of significant environmental and cultural heritage, retain the site in public ownership; • Encourage tourism, cultural and recreational uses of the site having due regard to the conservation of the place. • So keeping these in mind along with discussions in our initial consultation we came up with the following objectives. Project undertaken and presented by: Peggy Traill & Vanessa Harrison Ecotourism Consultants

9. Aims of the trust • We understand that the main aims of the trust are to conserve and manage:- • The cultural significance • The ecology and geology • Contain public access to the site • And promote tourism to the site Project undertaken and presented by: Peggy Traill & Vanessa Harrison Ecotourism Consultants

10. Objectives • Identify ways of increasing revenue for the Lighthouse Trust in order to expand the prospects of Eco-Tourism as an option for future visitors to the site. • Identify methods of incorporating Eco- Tourism/Sustainability activities into the features of the Light House Precinct. • Make recommendations in regard to Eco Certification of the Light House. Project undertaken and presented by: Peggy Traill & Vanessa Harrison Ecotourism Consultants

11. Secondary Lighthouse commentary • Our main source of Secondary Research has come from researching additional lighthouses in Australia. The research was conducted over the internet from a variety of websites that are listed in the bibliography. • Through conducting secondary research we have established who Norah Head Lighthouse’ competitors are in Australia; with the most popular lighthouse being Cape Byron Lighthouse and Cape Otway Light station. We can see from this research what other lighthouses are currently accomplishing and gives a comparison of the different areas relevant to the Norah Head Lighthouse. • We have looked at all areas of lighthouses in Australia such as; • Tours • Prices • Picnic areas • Events: weddings, parties, conferences • Educational / school programs • Cafes • From this research we can see that lighthouses with a café are much more popular than those without. Lighthouses with a café obviously bring in more revenue than those without one. Visitors to these lighthouses are much more pleased with their visit when they can sit down and have a coffee. • In order to increase revenue, we have researched urban gardening to expand the prospects of eco-tourism as an option for future visitors to the lighthouse. Project undertaken and presented by: Peggy Traill & Vanessa Harrison Ecotourism Consultants

12. Other Lighthouse Models Lighthouse Tours NSW Project undertaken and presented by: Peggy Traill & Vanessa Harrison Ecotourism Consultants

13. Lighthouse accommodation NSW Project undertaken and presented by: Peggy Traill & Vanessa Harrison Ecotourism Consultants

14. Other Secondary Research • In order to increase revenue, we have researched urban gardening to expand the prospects of eco-tourism as an option for future visitors to the lighthouse. • Urban gardening supports growers from the local area and reduces the food mileage effect. • Urban farming for the sites café will reduce the amount of waste that will be taken to the landfill sites and also cuts pollution. • From research undertaken, we can see that urban farming is a pro active approach to eco tourism. • From this research we can see what facilities and programs could be applied to Norah Head Lighthouse and how these short term and long term ways of updating the lighthouse can bring in revenue. Project undertaken and presented by: Peggy Traill & Vanessa Harrison Ecotourism Consultants

15. Survey summary + Primary • As part of our primary research we visited the Lighthouse and the surrounding area where we were able to survey the area and speak to one of the volunteer lighthouse tour guides. • Our main source of Primary research has been our surveys. (Appendix 4) This research was conducted at a broad number of locations such as train stations coffee shops and Wyong hospital, to engage a large number of our target audiences. • Out of the 135 people surveyed over 50% said that they had visited the lighthouse precinct and the two biggest highlights for people was the scenery and Beach. • Although 2/3 of people surveyed think that Eco-tourism is important only 8% of people belong to a conservation organisation. • Of the 37% of people who had visited an Eco-attraction only 40% of people visited because it was an Eco-attraction. • In ways of Eco-tourism bringing in revenue only 50% of people would be willing to pay more for a certified attraction compared to a non-certified attraction. • Charts Q7] and Q8] show the activities people would expect the lighthouse to have if it went eco and the tours we suggest their popularity. Chart Q9] shows that the general opinion is that the tours should be about 1hour to 1.5 hours long. • Are Primary results also show that a tour guide would be the preferred method of conducting the tours. Project undertaken and presented by: Peggy Traill & Vanessa Harrison Ecotourism Consultants

16. Recommendations Project undertaken and presented by: Peggy Traill & Vanessa Harrison Ecotourism Consultants

17. Objective 1 - Suggestions • Identify ways of increasing revenue for the Lighthouse Trust in order to expand the prospects of Eco-Tourism as an option for future visitors to the site. Night tours • Ghosts - Jenny Dixon story - Women waiting for son who died on ship wreck • Dusk tours -animals more active Project undertaken and presented by: Peggy Traill & Vanessa Harrison Ecotourism Consultants

18. New Platform - Binoculars • Museum - Stables, use what is already there in display cabinets. • Food - Coffee/ice cream van Project undertaken and presented by: Peggy Traill & Vanessa Harrison Ecotourism Consultants

19. Marine/education centre • Wedding/conference centre Project undertaken and presented by: Peggy Traill & Vanessa Harrison Ecotourism Consultants

20. Objective 2 - Suggestions • Identify methods of incorporating Eco- Tourism/Sustainability activities into the features of the Light House Precinct. • Urban garden – Get school kids to help • Worm farm Project undertaken and presented by: Peggy Traill & Vanessa Harrison Ecotourism Consultants

21. Objective 3 -Suggestions Project undertaken and presented by: Peggy Traill & Vanessa Harrison Ecotourism Consultants

22. Short term vision Project undertaken and presented by: Peggy Traill & Vanessa Harrison Ecotourism Consultants

23. Long Term Vission Project undertaken and presented by: Peggy Traill & Vanessa Harrison Ecotourism Consultants

24. Project undertaken and presented by: Peggy Traill & Vanessa Harrison Ecotourism Consultants

25. Conclusion Project undertaken and presented by: Peggy Traill & Vanessa Harrison Ecotourism Consultants