All students in this unit (including those studying via distance, online and on campus) must attend EITHER a face-to-face field trip departing from Hobart (overnight, departing 7am Sat 28th March, returning Sun 29th March approx. 7pm AEDST 2026), OR an online interactive training session (10 am - 4 pm Sat 28th and Sun 29th March AEDST 2026) in order to complete an assurance of learning assessment task. Any student can choose to attend either or both sessions, irrespective of enrolment or location - simply register on MyLO when prompted at the start of the semester.
For students attending the online sessions: The assurance of learning task necessitates that our staff have a chance to interact with you directly, so you will be required to join into the session using a device with a microphone and camera setting. Contact the unit coordinator prior to enrolment to discuss ways in which you can access a place with microphone and camera settings if you do not have these items where you reside.
Students attending camp will need to fund their own food, transport and accomodation costs, which in 2025 were approximately $150 for a 'mid-cost' option of coach transfer, shared cabin, purchased nighttime meal and parks entry passes. Interstate students can arrange to loan camping equipment from our school at no cost, including sleeping mats, bags and tents. The assurance of learning task will be held during the camp.
Introduction
Human activity has altered fifty percent of the Earth's surface, leading to various consequences, both positive and negative, on our landscapes. However, the opportunities to explore, conserve, and appreciate pristine and exposed landscapes are growing, giving rise to the fields of geoconservation and geotourism. This unique unit explores strategies for investigating, understanding, and addressing issues related to geoconservation and geotourism. Through a series of hands-on, field-based, and problem-based learning experiences, you will acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to create and manage (geo)heritage inventories, evaluate potential sites for geotourism and geoeducational purposes, design new geotouristic experiences, and develop materials for both consumers and operators in the fields of geoconservation and geotourism.
Our program is the only one of its kind in Australia, allowing you to work on real-world case studies and collaborate with leaders in these fields. We look at all forms of Geodiversity - waterways, soils, mountains, fossils, volcanoes and more. Imagine a world where rocks are not just 'rock and roll,' but the rockstars of Earth's history, and geoheritage is our backstage pass to study and conserve their epic stories! Join us as we provide guidance on how to recognise and nominate sites for conservation, restore degraded lands, create trails and geotouristic experiences and explore UNESCO Geoparks whilst utilising field and digital technologies, conducting social and scientific research, and fostering close relationships with industries and protected area groups. Absolutely no background knowledge is required to undertake this unit, and all are welcome. All techniques and experiences will be provided to you within the unit. This unit provides students with opportunities to undertake 25 hours of in-field training for students wanting to travel to Tasmania, or online professional training if you live elsewhere in the world. Online students should note that there is a requirement for some 'live' online participation in order to complete 'assurance of learning' assessment tasks.
Summary
| Unit name | Geoheritage and Geotourism |
| Unit code | KGA327 |
| Credit points | 12.5 |
| College/School | Sciences and Engineering School of Geography, Planning, and Spatial Sciences |
| Discipline | Geography, Planning, and Spatial Sciences |
| Coordinator | Doctor Melinda McHenry |
| Available as an elective? | Yes |
| Delivered By | University of Tasmania |
| Level | Advanced |
Sustainable Development Goals
The Unit Coordinator has identified that this unit aligns with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals. We welcome your thoughts and feedback on the alignment of the unit with these goals.
Availability
Specific information on 2027 unit availability will be available in August
Learning Outcomes
- Communicate geoheritage and geotourism concepts and data
- Accurately apply geographical concepts to contemporary global challenges
- Curate and communicate geoheritage inventory
- Exhibit professional conduct by complying with organisational guidelines and expectations of responsible personnel
Fee Information
2027 fee information will be available in August.
Requisites
Mutual Exclusions
You cannot enrol in this unit as well as the following:
KGA527Teaching
| Teaching Pattern | KGA327 is delivered online and face-to-face, on-campus and in the field by a series of 12 workshops. A separate whole-day (8 hour) field trip will also occur during semester (dates to be confirmed in Week 1 of semester). This field trip may be attended in-person or via dynamic online immersive experience. For each 8 hours in the field, there may also be bus travel of up to 2 hours each way. Students participating in-person must therefore allow for these travel times in their scheduling. If you are unable to join in-person due to time constraints, please arrange to join the online activities. A two-day fieldwork camp will take place during semester, with attendance options either online or in-person. Any student in the unit - including online students and those choosing not to go to camp - are expected to attend the live online weekend activity in place of camp. To accommodate those who work, the online week 3 seminar and the 'online field camp' are held across the weekend in smaller time blocks, and involve live collaboration with industry members, training and assessment Q&A time. |
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| Assessment | AT1: Data Collection Inventory (10%)|AT2: Geotrail or Heritage Trail (25%)|AT4: Video Experience (30%)|AT3: Geoconservation Nomination (35%) |
| Timetable | View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable |
Textbooks
| Required |
Suggested and recommended readings are offered in MyLO, typically on a weekly basis. |
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| Recommended | Gray, M. Geodiversity: valuing and conserving abiotic nature; John Wiley & Sons, 2004; ISBN 0-470-09081-2. Henriques, M.H.; dos Reis, R.P.; Brilha, J.; Mota, T. Geoconservation as an Emerging Geoscience. Geoheritage 2011, 3, 117–128. IUCN Geodiversity, World Heritage and IUCN Available online: https://www.iucn.org/theme/world-heritage/our-work/global-world-heritage-projects/geodiversity-world-heritage-and-iucn (accessed on Oct 8, 2019). Napieralski, J.; Barr, I.; Kamp, U.; Kervyn, M. 3.8 Remote Sensing and GIScience in Geomorphological Mapping. In Treatise on Geomorphology; Elsevier, 2013; pp. 187–227 ISBN 978-0-08-088522-3. Malczewski, J. GIS-based multicriteria decision analysis: a survey of the literature. Int. J. Geogr. Inf. Sci. 2006, 20, 703–726.
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The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.