Page 341 - Volcano and Geothermal Tourism

Volcanic Landforms as Tourist Attractions in Australian National Parks and Other Protected Areas 317

offers some guidelines for conduct specifically for there are active volcanoes or not. Basic safety rules
this conservation park: should be considered by everyone when entering
unfamiliar territory.
While Mount Scoria Conservation Park provides Volcanic features in Queensland are too
the opportunity to encounter the region’s diverse numerous to discuss in one chapter although not
wildlife and striking geology, it can also present some all of them have been integrated in the tourism
hidden dangers. Follow the tips below for a safe and sector as yet; for example, Mt Walsh National Park
enjoyable visit:
or Coalstoun Lakes National Park near Biggenden
• Stay on the track. You may get lost if you leave the have the potential to develop into real tourist
walking track. Follow markers and signs carefully attractions once some facilities could be added to
and let someone responsible know your plans in case attract visitors. Further down the coast in south-
you get lost. east Queensland the Glasshouse Mountains are a
• Avoid bites, stings and scratches. Wear protective distinctive landmark (Figure 21.3) and attract
clothing and insect repellent to protect yourself from visitors to the Glasshouse Mountains National
stings, scratches and insect bites, especially bites from Park to view at least a dozen volcanic plugs, some
ticks. Detour around snakes; never provoke them. of them showing well developed columnar jointing
(e.g. Mt Beerwah). The region around the
Be sun-smart. Wear a hat, shirt and sunscreen, even Glasshouse Mountains, which were sighted and
on overcast days, to avoid sunburn. Drink frequently named by Captain James Cook in 1770 (Australian
to avoid dehydration. Museum Online, 2004), caters for geotourists,
(Queensland Government, 2009b)
both domestic and international, often backpackers.
This example indicates a commitment of the The shape of the mountains reminded Captain
authorities in charge towards visitor safety in Cook of the glass furnaces of his hometown in
designated natural public recreation areas, whether England as he wrote in his journal on 17 May

Figure 21.3 Some of the volcanic remnants of the Glasshouse Mountains

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