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UNESCO Global Geoparks: Australia's Geotourism Potential

Explore Australia's geoparks and their global significance. Learn about UNESCO-recognized sites, sustainable development, and community engagement. Discover unique landscapes, geological heritage, and cultural connections.

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UNESCO Global Geoparks: Australia's Geotourism Potential

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  1. ““UNESCO Global Geoparks - Pointers for Australia - GlobalEco 2016 Angus M Robinson Geotourism Forum, Ecotourism Australia

  2. Today’s Agenda • UNESCO Global Geoparks • Australian Pre-Aspiring UNESCO Global Geoparks • Australia- China ‘Sister Park’ Opportunities • Take Aways

  3. Founded in 1945 - 193 member states World Heritage UNESCO Man and the Biosphere UNESCO Global Geoparks

  4. UNESCO GLOBAL GEOPARKS Where are the geoparks? There are 120 UNESCO Global Geoparks spread across 33 countries and 5 continents. This includes 69 in Europe as part of the European Geoparks Network (founded in 2000) and 46 in the Asia-Pacific region as part of the Asia-Pacific Geoparks Network (founded in 2009).

  5. Global Geoparks of China 2016 33 Global Geoparks in China Map - Distribution of Chinese geoparks with global status

  6. Immersed in the landscape & geology – Tianzhushan Global Geopark

  7. UNESCO GLOBAL GEOPARKS UNESCO Global Geoparks are single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development. IS A GEOPARK JUST ABOUT GEOLOGY? No! While a geopark must demonstrate geological heritage of international significance, the purpose of a geopark is to explore, develop and celebrate the links between that geological heritage and all other aspects of the areas natural, cultural and intangible heritages. It is about reconnecting human society at all levels to the planet we all call home and to celebrate how our planet and it’s 4,600 million year long history has shaped every aspect of our lives and our societies. Zhanjiajie, China

  8. Global Geoparks vs National Parks • Unlike World Heritage Areas and national parks, Global Geoparkscan embrace both protected and any resource extraction areas, focusing on sustainable development objectives. • Global Geoparksfocus on community engagement and ownership . • Whilst national parks are created in perpetuity, the status of global geoparks are reviewed every 4 years. • In Australia, national parks focus generally only on biodiversity at the expense of geological heritage.

  9. Geoparks Geoparks are both a development concept as well as a branding tool. They achieve these goals through: • Conservation • Education • Geotourism

  10. National Landscapes & UNESCO Global Geoparks • Havesimilar goalsrelating 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 Programmehas been formerly disbandoned by its government sponsors, but the iconic landscapes and their communities are still very much in place!

  11. Geotourism – Diversity of Places Geo-sites Geo Villages Icons (Inc National Landscapes) Geotrails Geotourism Caves/Karst Areas Landforms Mine Sites National Parks/Reserves/ Urban Parks Geoparks/ PaleoParks WHAs

  12. Geoparks and Community Engagement Geo-sites Geo Villages Geotrails Geoparks = Community Engagement Mine Sites National Parks/Reserves/ Urban Parks

  13. Pre-AspiringWarrumbungles UNESCO Global Geopark, New South Wales Outstanding shield volcano remnant landforms close to a major coal development area located in the Warrumbungles National Park (236 square km area) at the intersection of the three local government areas.

  14. The Proposed Savannah Way Geotrail linked to the Pre-Aspiring Etheridge UNESCO Global Geopark in the state of Queensland

  15. Pre-Aspiring Etheridge UNESCO Global Geopark, Queensland Comprising the entire Shire of Etheridge, and including areas of outstanding volcanic and mining heritage - embracing some 40,000 sq km. Its key attractions are geotourism & not ecotourism focused

  16. Pre-Aspiring Etheridge UNESCO Global Geopark • The Pre-Aspiring Etheridge Global Geopark embraces a complex grouping of rocks which also host gold deposits, notably the former Kidston mine. • The Etheridge Province also include significant occurrences of gemstones, notably agates and topaz, as well as hot springs attractions. • Two geological events feature as iconic geotourism attractions in the region, the most significant of which is the Undara Lava Tube system, truly unique in the world based on consideration of age, preservation and lineal extent, as well as the geomorphological expressions within flat-lying sediments at Cobbold Gorge. • All the landforms in the area contain unique biodiversity characteristics including a rich assemblage of birdlife. • Committed input from the Ewamian Aboriginal community is sure to identify sites exhibiting rich indigenous culture.

  17. Pre-Aspiring Etheridge UNESCO Global Geopark • Geosites – In abundance, with Undara as a global icon. • Geo villages – Georgetown, Mt Surprise, Forsayth, Einasleigh, all with community engaged geosites (including gem fields); key established ecotourism resorts of Undara and Cobbold Gorge. • Geotrails – As well as the Savannah Way (Lava tubes, Gems and Gorges Trail) with connections to Chillagoe, Mt Garnet, Croydon etc. • National Parks – Undara National Parks plus seven others. • Heritage Mine Sites – Kidston, Einasleigh, Gilberton.

  18. Australia-China Memorandum of CooperationThe GSA and the Geological Society of ChinaExecuted June 2016 • The Australia-China relationship is becoming more important with the increasing level of economic, social and cultural activities in the coming decades. • The Memorandum of Cooperation will be focused on growing and enhancing best practice nature-based tourism (i.e. geotourism) in both countries. • Tourism park managers could play a significant role in establishing ‘sister’ relationships between parks, as a key driver of future geotourism.

  19. Establishing Ties Amongst Parks • Can be in form of ‘sister parks’, field study and training centres, joint research projects, management staff or guide exchange programs. • ‘Sister Park’ relationship can be a holistic approach to implement these joint projects. Indonesiandelegation visiting Chinese geopark

  20. Take-Aways • For Australia, Geoparksare the new National Landscapes! • Geoparkshave a well established global network. • International visitors know and want to visit global geoparks. • Geoparks foster community-based, sustainable, regional, economic development – a model ideally suited for Australia. • To remain competitive in global markets, Australia needs global geoparks. We are the only continent without them!

  21. Contact Details angus@leisuresolutions.com.au Tel: + 61 418 488 340 http://www.leisuresolutions.com.au/index.php/geotourism-industry-groups/

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