A geopark in an Antarctic gateway city? The case for a Wellington geopark in Tasmania, Australia

• Main Authors: Williams, Mark, McHenry, M
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: English
• Published: International Conference on UNESCO Global Geoparks 2018
• Subjects: Earth Sciences; Physical geography and environmental geoscience; Physical geography and environmental geoscience not elsewhere classified; Antarctic; Pacific; Organ Pipes; Antarc*
• Online Access: http://ecite.utas.edu.au/141686

Tasmania is an Australian island state with incredible geodiversity, second only to Scotland. Stategeoheritage conservation frameworks recognise over 1100 geosites of from sub-regional through tointernational significance. Tasmania is famous for hosting the worlds largest exposure of dolerite, providingsubstantial evidence of continental drift and plate tectonics through its occurrence in the former Gondwanansupercontinent. Mount Wellington and the encompassing Wellington Park (250 km2) is a well expressed andaccessible representation of a significant doleritic landscape typical of the Tasmanian landscape, and lies onthe edge of Tasmanias largest city, Hobart. It provides the most extensive and well developed high altitudeperiglacial terrain in Tasmania unaffected by glaciation. The landscape evolution of the park has resulted innumerous dolerite boulder fields, talus slopes and rock columns including the well-illustrated columnar-jointed "Organ Pipes" sill immediately below the summit of Mount Wellington. Additionally, the WellingtonPark features string bogs, extensive Jurassic sandstone cliffs and outcrops, Permian mudstones withextensive fossil deposition, all within relatively accessible locations relative to the Mount Wellington summitdrive. Additionally, the geodiversity of the Wellington Park supports the most biologically diverse area inTasmania due to marked variation in climate and soils. Despite the educational deficit of Tasmanias 500,000citizens relative to the rest of Australia, Tasmanians have a strong sense of place and very good awarenessand understanding of the value of the landscape, and particularly strong environmental intelligence. Forinstance, Tasmanians in general are aware of the broad geology of the Wellington Park as a ‗Doleritelandform and can identify significant features with ease. Tasmanians have a strong connection to theoutdoors, and spend substantially more time in natural and remote places than other Australians. Thus - thenotion of a Geopark in Tasmania is one that is expected to be embraced by the public at large, and can beused to provide meaningful context to the surrounding landscape. A successful UNESCO Geoparkdesignation would provide significant social and economic benefits for Tasmanians through educational andtourism opportunities. Notably, a Tasmanian Geopark would be the only Geopark in Australia. Currently,over 300,000 people visit the Wellington Park each year and this is managed by a state management body ofrangers and scientists. Local indigenous people are actively involved in the management of the park toensure that culturally significant sites are interpeted and appreciated. The annexation of a Geopark wouldinvolve a network of trails, both new and existing, to access a number of geosites that provide educationaland recreational experiences for a wide range of people while conserving the landscape for futuregenerations. This would have flow on effects to local communities surrounding the park, presentingadditional opportunities for 'natural tourism which currently attracts 2 million tourists per year. Here weoutline a suitability analysis for the Wellington Park using geoheritage, geospatial and vulnerabilityassessment as well as stakeholder analyses so as to present a case for admission to the Asia Pacific GeoparksNetwork and as a UNESCO Global Geopark.