Landscapes

Australia’s National Landscapes

Australia is widely regarded as having one of the world’s most distinct and rich environments. It is also home to the world’s oldest living culture. Its people have a lifestyle that is admired and sought after the world over. These compelling assets make Australia one of the world’s most desirable visitor destinations – one that should be better interpreted, visited and conserved.

The program was inspired by a realisation that around the world the term ‘National Park’ is a prime brand name for tourism. For example the Serengeti National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and Kilimanjaro National Park, to name a few, are major tourism draw cards. Around the world National Parks are usually few but significant. While America has 57 National Parks and Canada has 41, Australia has over 600. Australia’s large number of national parks and protected areas are impressive yet overwhelming for travellers to navigate and digest.

Nature in Australia - Great Barrier Reef.

Nature in Australia - Great Barrier Reef (Photo: Tourism Australia)

In recognition of this Tourism Australia and Parks Australia have formed a partnership between tourism and conservation to identify Australia’s iconic landscapes, which capture and promote areas of outstanding natural beauty and cultural significance. This partnership has seen the creation of Australia’s National Landscapes, an initiative that aims to achieve conservation, social and economic outcomes for Australia and its regions via the promotion of superlative nature based tourism experiences. The program will help to ensure that Australia’s natural and cultural experiences are protected for the future and enjoyed by locals and visitors in a sustainable manner.

The National Landscapes Program is designed to identify the best of Australia’s natural and cultural landscapes – inspirational destinations that transcend borders and boundaries.

National Landscapes are united by their topography, and their environmental or cultural significance. This approach encourages greater collaboration between the parties that govern, preserve and promote these landscapes.

Australia’s National Landscapes program was launched in December 2006 with the announcement of Australia’s Red Centre as the first National Landscape. In June 2008 seven subsequent landscapes were named at the Australian

Wineglass Bay, Tasmania

Wineglass Bay, Tasmania (photo: Tourism Australia)

Tourism Exchange. In 2009 Kangaroo Island joined the program followed by the Kimberley in 2010. The full list of National Landscapes are:

Article & photo ‘Getting married in Australia’ use with permission of Tourism Australia