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Welcome to the autumn edition of Explore; this edition we're proud to share the news that Sydney Harbour has been officially recognised for its natural and cultural values to become Australia's 16th National Landscape.
We'll update you on the status of recovery in the Warrumbungles, reveal the launch of a new tourism campaign in the Murray region and give you some insights from one of our largest customer surveys.
Last but not least, we'd like to congratulate our National Tourism Award winners, which included a silver award for Cape Byron State Conservation Area.
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Sydney Harbour becomes National Landscape
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On Tuesday 19 February Sydney Harbour National Landscape was launched; the 16th and final landscape to be listed in the exclusive suite of Australia’s National Landscapes. Sydney Harbour joins Australia’s Coastal Wilderness, the Australian Alps, Greater Blue Mountains and Australia’s Green Cauldron as one of NSW’s five National Landscapes – the most of any state or territory.
A partnership between tourism and conservation, the National Landscapes program recognises the value of Australia’s nature and wildlife to tourism and was inspired by the need to make Australia’s wealth of national parks, protected areas and reserves more accessible for visitors.
Sydney Harbour National Landscape stretches from Barrenjoey Headland in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, through Sydney Harbour National Park, west to Parramatta Park and south to Royal National Park. The Landscape immerses visitors in the contrasting and spellbinding scenery, culture and personality of Australia; featuring outstanding Aboriginal cultural heritage, lively terrestrial and marine environments, journeys into Australia’s convict history and a coastline of world-famous beaches.
For more information, visit the National Landscapes section of the Tourism Australia or Parks Australia websites.
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Warrumbungles partly re-opens
Recovery efforts in the Warrumbungle National Park are well and truly under way following the January bushfires. White Gum Lookout and the Wambelong picnic area are already open, and other areas of the park are expected to reopen in stages.
Gilgandra Shire Council has also facilitated this by reopening the main road through the park. More than 90% of the park, or 22,000 hectares, were affected by the January bushfires, and while it is a priority to reopen the park for visitors, safety will be paramount.
Discovery tours are running again, with daily tours available from Whitegum Lookout. People wanting more information can contact the NPWS Coonabarabran Office on 6842 1311 or the Coonabarabran Visitor Centre.
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Who Cares about the Environment?
A large majority of people in NSW are enjoying the outdoors and natural areas, according to new research released by the Office of Environment and Heritage. Conducted every three years since 1994, the Who Cares about the Environment? survey measures environmental knowledge, attitudes and behaviour among the people of NSW, and identifies how these have changed over time.
The 2012 survey found that high numbers of people in NSW have spent time at a beach or waterway (87%), a park or botanic garden (85%), and bushland or other natural areas (79%) in the past year. In discussion groups, people expressed very positive emotional responses to being in such settings.
Other issues covered in the research include views about the protection of natural habitats and environmental regulations, as well as personal environmental behaviours.
For detailed findings from the latest 2012 Who Cares about the Environment? survey, visit our website.
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Partnership in Murray Region
The Murray Valley National and Regional Parks are encouraging off-peak visitation through participating in a cooperative marketing campaign with Murray Regional Tourism. The campaign is currently being rolled out with advertisements, competitions and editorial in Australian Geographic Outdoor utilising both offline and online channels to promote information, itineraries and deals.
A key element of the campaign is new visitor facilities and attractions that have been recently launched within this region, including birdwatching facilities as well as new camping areas.
The next phase of the campaign will focus on recreational fishing with promotions in Fishing World and Club Marine publications culminating in attendance at the Melbourne Boat Show in June.
For more information on Murray Valley National and Regional Park, visit the NPWS website.
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Byron recognised in national awards
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Cape Byron State Conservation Area has been awarded silver at the 2012 National Tourism Awards held in Hobart on 15 February 2013. This national accolade follows the Gold Award in the NSW Tourism Awards achieved in November last year.
Over the past year visitor facilities have been improved at Wategos, The Pass, Captain Cook lookout and Tallow beach. The newly renovated distinctive beach accommodation provides visitors with a unique experience in a natural environment with the Pass Café and the Cape Café all adding to the visitor experience.
Attracting some 1.2 million visitors a year, Cape Byron SCA also provides for adventure tourism supporting surf schools, sea kayaking and hang-gliding. The visitor experience is enhanced by the more than 55 local volunteers at the Cape Byron Lighthouse Museum. Offering a local perspective, the Cape Byron Friends volunteer program operates seven days a week assisting visitors to interpret the natural and cultural heritage of this region.
For more information on Cape Byron State Conservation Area, please visit our website.
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