Page 343 - Volcano and Geothermal Tourism

Volcanic Landforms as Tourist Attractions in Australian National Parks and Other Protected Areas 319

Gunung Batur, Bali; Telíca volcano, Nicaragua; awe-inspiring experience due to the atmosphere
Cotopaxi, Ecuador; Ngauruhoe, New Zealand). of a natural environment with a long volcanic
Mountain retreats and spa cottages around Mt history, especially when no other cars or people
Warning cater for the more relaxed tourist, who are in sight. The views of the old volcanic plugs
prefers rainforest walks and viewing the mountain are remarkable, even for visitors who are not too
from a distance instead of attempting to climb the interested in natural landforms. The geological
ancient volcano. The eroded caldera is today known heritage of the Warrumbungles as well as the local
as the Tweed Valley. In the year 1928 Mt Warning biodiversity is well explained on many sign boards
was reserved for public recreation and in 1966 was throughout the park – a learning experience even
dedicated as a national park. Thousands of visitors without a guide. Camping, day walks, rocky spires,
enjoy the summit views every year; however, the and sunsets in the peaceful environment (Australian
impact of the visitor numbers on a small area such Tourism Net, 2006) of a national park that was
as the top of the volcano has meant a ban on shaped by volcanic activity are recommended and
camping on the summit (Tweed Shire, 2009). Bird give an insight into a landscape that has eroded
watching, rainforest safaris and scenic flights are just over time and created the distinctively rugged
a few examples of other activities in the volcanic features of the Warrumbungles.
environment of Mt Warning National Park. Not far from the Warrumbungle National
Further south in central New South Wales is Park, some 120km to the north is the Nandewar
the Warrumbungle National Park (Figure 21.4) Range (Duggan and Knutson, 1993) with Mt
which has for over 70 years attracted rock climbers Kaputar National Park, of which more than 80
and bushwalkers to an important habitat with a per cent has been declared a wilderness area (Fox,
rich biodiversity of Australian native flora and 1994). This park is a popular destination for rock
fauna and was included in the National Heritage climbers who like the challenge of the volcanic
List in 2006 (Australian Government, 2008). landforms. A series of volcanic eruptions and years
Driving through the Warrumbungles is an of erosion have created the area known today as

Figure 21.4 Warrumbungle National Park in New South Wales

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