Page 342 - Volcano and Geothermal Tourism

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1770, where he made the following comment: heritage site is ‘composed of a series of eight
‘they [Glasshouse Mountains] are remarkable for distinct groupings of parks and reserves distributed
the singular form of their elevation, which very between Newcastle and Brisbane’ (Department of
much resembles a glass house and for this reason I the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
called them the Glass Houses’ (Queensland (2008); Big Volcano Tourism, 2009). As mentioned
Government, 2009c). earlier, it takes more than one book chapter to do
Although the volcanoes (eroded cores of justice to the numerous volcanic landforms of
central volcanoes) which form the Glasshouse Australia, especially when more are being
Mountains are extinct (or at least presently discovered, protected and developed for tourism.
dormant) their distinctive silhouettes in the
distance viewed from one of the lookouts tell an Volcanic environments
impressive story of immense volcanic activity. The
Glasshouse Mountains area offers a vast range of of New South Wales
activities for visitors, incorporating many smaller South of the border from Queensland in northern
communities in the loop of attractive tourist New South Wales inland from Tweed Heads lies
destinations. Lookouts, walkways and other another volcanic region. Mt Warning (the
facilities in the Glasshouse Mountains National Aboriginal name is Wollumbin, meaning ‘fighting
Park offer wheelchair access and ranger guided chief of the mountains’), was named by Captain
summit hikes are offered at certain days Cook during the same voyage in May 1770 along
(Queensland EPA, 2007). the east coast of Australia. The name was actually
Extreme sports are one of the attractions intended to warn future mariners of the offshore
supported by the volcanic terrain in this area. The reefs Captain Cook encountered on his trip in this
100 Mile Run is an event that attracts athletes area (Mt Warning National Park, 2001). Mt
from around the world. Abseiling the steep cliffs of Warning is a world heritage listed national park
the mountains, mountain biking and mountain (2210ha) with the mountain itself the central core
running are some of the more demanding sports of the southern hemisphere’s largest extinct shield
2
carried out using the volcanic landscape as a volcano (over 4000km in extent) and the first
challenge (The Official Glasshouse Mountains place on Australia’s mainland to be touched by the
Tourism Website, n.d). However, the mountains morning sun. The New South Wales government
are dangerous and it is now illegal to climb Mt website explains the geological and cultural
Coonowrin as several deaths have occurred here. importance of world heritage listed Mt Warning
Some climbs are still possible, but should only be (Wollumbin), which is not only the remnant
undertaken by experienced climbers (Sunshine central plug of an ancient volcano, but also a
Coast Queensland, 2006). But many visitors to the sacred place of great significance to the people of
region and the national park itself are happy to the Bundjalung Nation as a traditional place of
enjoy the scenic drives with lookouts offering cultural lore, initiation and spiritual education. To
stunning views over the landscape and great photo respect their law and culture, the Bundjalung ask
opportunities. Because of the variety of recreational that people consider choosing not to climb the
activities around the Glasshouse Mountains this mountain because under Bundjalung law, only
area is one of the major tourist attractions in the specifically chosen people are allowed to climb
hinterland of south-east Queensland. Wollumbin (New South Wales Government,
The world heritage listed Gondwana 2009). However, some tour operators do
Rainforests of Australia are described as having recommend climbing to the summit for the
‘outstanding geological features displayed around adventurous to watch the sunrise, which is
shield volcanic craters’ combined with a ‘high common at many volcanoes worldwide and is
number of rare and threatened rainforest species considered as a special and often spiritual
. . . of international significance for science and experience (compare Mt Fuji, Japan; Haleakala,
conservation’ (UNESCO, 2009). This world Hawai‘i; Mt Bromo, Indonesia; Mt Teide, Spain;

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