Page 344 - Volcano and Geothermal Tourism

320 Oceania

the Mt Kaputar National Park. The rugged volcanic environments elsewhere in the world one
wilderness rises high above the surrounding plains of the positive factors in Australia is the relative
in a dramatic landscape of volcanic plugs, lava safety without the potential dangers of eruptions,
terraces and ring dykes with the peak of Mt toxic gas emissions and other hazards related to
Kaputar reaching 1510m and offering great views active volcanoes, although that is often what
from the top of the range. One of the most people want – excitement.
spectacular reminders of the volcanic past is Sawn In Australian natural environments like the
Rock, an excellent example of columnar jointing geological and especially volcanic heritage often
and classed as one of the best in Australia (Mt takes second place after attractions such as the
Kaputar National Park, 2008). The volcanoes we unique biodiversity of reefs and rainforests;
see today are only small compared to their original although with the geotourism movement visitors
size; however, they are still quite impressive and to natural sites will become more and more aware
the landscape features include deep narrow valleys, of the country’s rich geological heritage. Actual
lava terraces, steep ridges and cliffs – in many volcanic activity is not necessarily an important
places eroded to flat remnants of the original aspect for the less extreme side of nature-based
volcanoes (Mt Kaputar National Park, 2008). tourism. However, even in presently non-active
Close to the border between South Australia volcanic areas there is always the risk of a variety
and Victoria lie more examples of the country’s of potentially dangerous situations. As these
volcanic past. These are the crater lakes of Mt tourism attractions are mostly located in vast
Gambier, the Blue Lake and the Green Lake. This natural reserves people can get lost, or suffer from
area is estimated to have been active quite recently exposure or dehydration, and there is of course no
in geological terms, with the last eruption from limit to personal accidents. Therefore, in the case
this volcano occurring approximately 4500 to of an emergency situation it is paramount that
5000 years ago. In fact, the rising incidence of visitors or tourists have sufficient information on
earthquakes in Australia in recent years has raised how to deal with extreme situations should these
the suspicions of some scientists (Joyce, 2005) that arise.
these could be linked to ancient volcanoes This chapter has described a number of the
(Australian Associated Press, 2003). With respect to remnant volcanic features and given an overview
tourism to these locations, however, information of some of the volcanic landscapes used for
on visitor numbers at individual locations must tourism in Australia within the national or
presently be researched through surveys and conservation park system. Future research will
requests for information where available, as there further identify their actual attraction for visitors
are no statistical data collected to date. Volcano and their function as essential landscapes in a
tourism in Australia has not yet been widely network of geoparks across the country.
accepted as an individual branch of nature-based
tourism. References
Conclusion Australian Associated Press (AAP) (2003) ‘Australian
quakes linked to dormant volcanoes’, www.smh.
The real extent of geotourism in volcanic com.au/articles/2003/01/26/1043533958092.
environments is uncertain without reliable visitor html, accessed 10 June 2009
statistics. To recognize volcanic landforms in Australian Government (2008) ‘National Heritage –
Australia requires some initial interest in the Warrumbungle National Park, New South Wales’,
www.environment.gov.au/heritage/places/
geology of a particular region that is well- national/warrumbungle/index.html, accessed 20
supported in many nature parks by interpretive June 2008
signage and visitor centres. For people interested Australian Museum Online (2004) ‘Glass House
in visiting sites with remnant volcanic landforms, Mountains’, www.amonline.net.au/geoscience/
a large geological heritage is available which is earth/glass_house.htm, accessed 1 July 2008
usually combined with outdoor activities offered Australian Tourism Net (2006) ‘North West National
in protected environments. Compared to active Parks New South Wales – Warrumbungle National

Ch21.indd 320 3/28/2010 1:32:24 PM