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Despite the cold, we've been having a busy winter here at the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, with some great initiatives, partnerships and exciting awards.
We have an example of an entrepreneurial Parks Eco Pass operator taking up the opportunity available to tap into the new Sydney Harbour National Landscape, whilst up in Coffs Harbour a partnership sees visitors offered a unique island experience.
There are updates on our biennial visitor research results as well as on the new proposed program to supplement NPWS pest control efforts.
Read on to find out more on these, as well as our winter partnership opportunities with Wild About Whales and the recent accolades from the Inland Tourism Awards.
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People flocking to NSW national parks
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Recent NPWS research has confirmed what many of us already know - people love their parks and are continuing to visit in increasing numbers. The latest biennial Park Visitation Telephone Survey showed 35.5 million domestic visits to national parks across NSW in 2012 - a five per cent increase of 1.7 million visits compared to 2010 results.
Metropolitan national parks represented 50% of all visits. Royal National Park has regained its top spot as the most popular park for visitors in 2012, with 4.05 million domestic visits. National parks in western NSW also saw its highest visitation figures recorded, reaching a total of 183,000 visits from 2010 to 2012.
Satisfaction with park visits in 2012 was even higher than in 2010, with an overwhelming 93% of visitors being satisfied to very satisfied with their park experience. Walking, at 56% of those surveyed, is still the most commonly named activity within a national park.
Full results of the survey can be found at our website.
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Partnership with Royal Australian Navy
More than 40 warships, 20 tall ships and up to 8,000 naval personnel from around the world are expected to participate in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) International Fleet Review (IFR) on Sydney Harbour from Thursday 3 to Friday 11 October 2013.
NPWS is partnering with the RAN to offer premium harbourside viewpoints for key activities under the IFR banner. Tickets are on sale now for Clark Island, Shark Island
and Bradleys Head.
NPWS will also be offering great national park experiences for servicemen and their families looking for a nature-based experience in Sydney.
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IUCN World Parks Congress to be held in Sydney
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The IUCN World Parks Congress will be held in Sydney, Australia, from 12-19 November 2014, and NPWS is proud to be one of the hosts of this global protected areas' forum.
Themed “Parks, People, Planet: Inspiring Solutions” the IUCN World Parks Congress has been held only once every decade since its first staging in Seattle, USA, in 1962. This event will bring together the world’s leading experts from across the private and public sectors, with more than 3,000 people expected to attend the congress.
The IUCN World Parks Congress will play a key role in setting the agenda for the vitality and future of our protected areas. Additionally, the event is estimated to bring $25 million to the NSW economy as well as showcase our spectacular national parks.
An innovative and interactive program will be on offer for delegates, including world class field-trips and travel opportunities around the state and Australia. These field trips will provide opportunities for technical learning and capacity building that ensures delegates share and depart with new ideas, skills and knowledge. A public festival will also take place during the congress; a fantastic opportunity for organisations to showcase their causes and programs.
The World Parks Congress website is now live and outlines the first wave of information on the congress, including program streams, cross-cutting themes, lead organisations and co-host agencies.
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Operators take advantage of National Landscape
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Sydney Harbour National Landscape, the final landscape in the exclusive suite of Australia’s National Landscapes, stretches from the rugged beauty of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
to the more secluded Royal National Park.
The newest National Landscape encompasses some of the best walking sites in Australia’s largest city and now, for the first time, visitors can join Sydney Coast Walks on a guided walking tour in Sydney Harbour National Park.
Sydney Coast Walks are the holders of a ten year Premium EcoPass and take their eco-credentials seriously; they recognise the business planning opportunities associated with the long term licence and the value guests place on certification as the mark of a quality product. They are also finding increased opportunities within the industry to promote low impact tourism experiences within Australia and internationally via the National Landscapes program.
In addition to guided walks along the classic Coast Track
in Royal National Park, the new suite of walks includes the Manly scenic walkway, as well as half-, one- and two-day walks that explore South Head and North Head in Sydney Harbour National Park.
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NPWS joins Tourism Industry Council
The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) officially became a member of the Tourism Industry Council NSW, which represents some 7,000 industry operators across the State.
Formed in 2001, TICNSW works as an advocate for all companies with an interest in tourism across government, industry and community stakeholders to boost investment, employment and promotional opportunities for tourism throughout the State.
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Partnership provides unique island lighthouse experience
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A partnership between NPWS and Precision Helicopters is providing Coffs Coast locals and visitors with a rare opportunity to visit the most remote island lighthouse in NSW.
Located 18km off the coast of Coffs Harbour, the rugged and windswept South Solitary Island is home to the historic South Solitary lighthouse, which has been lighting the way for seafarers since 1880. The island is normally closed to the public, but the NPWS and Precision Helicopters offer public tours once a year.
The most recent tours, held in July, saw 80 visitors fly by helicopter to the island, while experiencing breathtaking views of the Coffs Coast along the way. NPWS Discovery Rangers and volunteers led guided interpretive tours and visitors enjoyed a fascinating inspection of the lighthouse keeper's quarters and lighthouse, which were built in 1880. Former lighthouse keepers and their families shared stories of what it was like to live and work on this isolated island, helping visitors to value and connect with our heritage.
A portion of ticket sales has been allocated to a heritage fund for South Solitary Island that is used for assisting the island's heritage maintenance program.
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Swim with us
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From June to November each year, the annual whale migration opens up the opportunity for people to visit NSW coastal national parks and go whale watching. This is a very popular tourism experience and the perfect hook to entice people to enjoy other coastal adventures during the non-peak colder months.
Since its launch in 2010, Wild About Whales has grown to be a comprehensive multi-channel campaign, with the campaign website supported by a mobile app, media and PR activities, advertising, social media, enewsletters and more.
Tens of thousands of people each and every year join in the experience - visiting the website, sharing their images on Facebook and posting their whale sightings on Twitter. These are people who come from all walks of life, but what they have in common is a love of nature, a love of outdoor experiences, and a love of our spectacular NSW coastline.
Do you want to talk to these people as well? Wild About Whales offers a range of partnership opportunities, with varying investment levels, ideal for RTOs, tour operators and others involved in the coastal tourism industry. The campaign is a great way to access the all-important short-break Sydney market, and to reach more than 40,000 people during the campaign period via the website (and potentially tens of thousands more via social media).
For enquiries or to request a partnership proposal please contact Jonny Day, Threesides, via email jonny.day@threesides.com.au or call 02 6249 1117.
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Green Gully Track takes another award
At the recent Inland Tourism Awards in Moree, the Green Gully Track in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park took out the award for Adventure Tourism, recognising the uniqueness of this challenging hike.
Congratulations to all the winners on the night, particularly our licensed partners Tri State Safaris-Mutawintji Tours, who took home gongs for Indigenous Tourism and Tour and/or Transport Operators.
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Trial of Supplementary Pest Control in national parks
A new supplementary pest control program is set to be trialled in selected national parks later this year. The program will involve skilled volunteers targeting particular pest animals under the supervision and direction of NPWS staff, following a NPWS-approved Shooting Operations Plan.
The trial program, in 12 national parks, will be scientifically evaluated to assess its effectiveness before any further roll-out of the program.
Announced on 4 July 2013 and building on similar programs in other states, this trial will give NPWS access to additional volunteer resources to assist in reducing the terrible impacts of pest animals on the environment.
Activities under this initiative will be carefully planned and announced up to four weeks in advance. NPWS will provide final confirmation to neighbours and the public at least 48 hours ahead of any operation. The areas of particular parks will be closed to other users on the specific days of the shooting operation. This is similar to what occurs for all existing NPWS pest control operations.
The program will not operate during schools holidays or in any wilderness or world heritage areas. No people under 18 will participate and no bows or black powder musket firearms will be used.
More information can be found at the Office of Environment and Heritage website.
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