APPENDIX G

INFORMATION CENTRES IN WORLD HERITAGE AREAS

Australian Fossil Mammal Sites

The Mount Isa Riversleigh Visitors Centre is the major showplace for the Riversleigh portion of the world heritage property. Mount Isa is approximately 200 kms south-east from Riversleigh. The highway east of Mount Isa to Townsville is becoming known as the fossil highway with the local towns building museums to attract tourists into the region.

The visitor centre at Naracoorte, South Australia includes a kiosk, interpretation displays and a palaeontological laboratory. In addition, a Bat Interpretation Centre is located above the Bat Cave and carries the vision and sound of bats to the surface.

Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves (Australia)

Information centres are scattered in and near the CERRA world heritage property. The major information centres in Queensland are located at Binna Burra in Lamington National Park, Burleigh and Springbrook. The major information centres in New South Wales are at Murwillumbah and Dorrigo. Plans are underway to erect a new information centre at Green Mountain in Lamington National Park. Information displays are situated in other CERRA properties.

Fraser Island

There is a major information centre at Eurong and minor interpretive facilities located at Central Station, Dundubara and Waddy Point.^[1]

The Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef Aquarium in Townsville educates the public about the Great Barrier Reef, the Marine Park and the Authority. The Aquarium features the world's largest living coral reef on land, a predator exhibit, walk-through viewing tunnel and complementary living exhibits and interpretative displays. Other information centres are scattered in the region of the Great Barrier Reef.

Kakadu National Park

The Bowali Visitor Centre is situated near Jabiru in the heart of Kakadu National Park. In May 1995 the Warradjan Cultural Centre was opened by the Minister for the Environment, Sport and Territories to complement the Bowali Centre.

Lord Howe Island Group

A visitor information centre is located on the Island which provides interpretative material and tourist information.

Shark Bay

The Dolphin Information Centre is located at Monkey Mia. The centre contains interpretative facilities including displays, videos, posters and literature. Other information can be found at Hamelin, Shell Beach and Peron. There are plans to build a visitor centre at Peron Homestead.

Tasmanian Wilderness

Information about the Tasmanian Wilderness is available from a selection of information centres and ranger stations located in or around the world heritage area. Tourism Tasmania also has offices in major towns in Tasmania and operates in other capital cities of Australia.

Uluru Kata-Tjuta National Park

The Uluru Kata-Tjuta Cultural Centre was opened in October 1995 and is located inside the park boundary. Another visitor centre is situated in Yulara village.

Wet Tropics of Queensland

The draft management plan of the Wet Tropics identifies thirty-nine visitor facilities where the area is presented to large numbers of people.^[2] During 1994-95 the Authority spent $1.5 million on regional centres and displays at Mission Beach Visitor Centre; Ingham Visitor Centre; Copperlode Dam Visitor Display; Townsville Enterprise Visitor Display; Frosty Mango, Mutarnee Visitor Display; Croc Cafe, Daintree River Visitor Display; Lake Barrine Teahouse Visitor Display; Far North Queensland Promotion Bureau Visitor Display; Cairns Esplanade Visitor Centre; Ravenshoe Visitor Centre; Daintree Rainforest Environment Centre Visitor Centre; Rainforest Habitat, Port Douglas Signage; Mission Beach Theatrette; and Cardwell Visitor Displays.^[3]

Willandra Lakes Region

A small visitor centre exists at Lake Mungo National Park. A strategy in the Willandra Lakes management plan is to encourage visitors to the Willandra to centre their focus on Mungo National Park. This is to be done through improved visitor facilities and signage.^[4]

Footnotes

[1] Queensland Government, Great Sandy Region Management Plan, 1994-2010, 1994, p 140.

[2] Wet Tropics Management Authority, Draft Wet Tropics Plan: Protection Through Partnerships: Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, Wet Tropics Management Authority, Cairns, October 1995, map 4.

[3] Wet Tropics Management Authority, Annual Report 1994-95, pp 14-15.

[4] Sustaining the Willandra: the Willandra Lakes Region World Heritage Property Plan of Management, 1996, pp C62-3.

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