Caring for Country — The Otways and You - Parks Victoria

Strategies for visitorsand experiences, and create an enablingenvironment for the consideration of newtourism or recreation product andopportunities that diversify nature-basedactivities and provide authentic anddiverse experiences, encourage off-peaktourism, and deliver increased yield.• Assist relevant Registered AboriginalParties, Traditional Owners or otherrelevant Aboriginal groups to investigateand develop culturally appropriateIndigenous tourism experiences.• Encourage and support ecologicallysustainable tourism development in thehinterland.• Encourage and support the private sectorand tourism bodies to investigateopportunities for a nature-basedaccommodation ‘Eco lodge’ adjacent tothe national park.• Work with tour operators to assist with theincorporation of park value messages intotours and interpretive information.• In partnership with local government,develop township recreation planssupporting cross-tenure and integratedcommunity recreation.6.2 Information, interpretation andeducationAim• Promote and encourage visitors’ safe andsustainable discovery, enjoyment,understanding and appreciation of theparks natural and cultural values.BasisProviding information, interpretation andeducation can help orientate and informvisitors, foster an understanding andappreciation of special natural and culturalvalues, build the understanding of managementactivities, and help visitors to experience,understand and appreciate the parks in a safeand appropriate manner.Park infrastructure must be functional andmeet relevant standards. It should also besympathetic to the site and complement nearbycolours, shapes and textures. Well-designedinfrastructure such as signs can enhance visitorexperiences by using materials of specialsignificance, using special constructionmethods or integrating particular artisticelements. Community involvement in designalso provides an opportunity to access uniqueskills while building community stewardshipand pride.Promotion and pre-visit informationThe Great Ocean Road is a high-profiletourism destination, and the establishment ofthe Great Otway National Park and OtwayForest Park increases the scope for promotingthe region internationally and within Australiathrough Tourism Victoria and local tourismbodies. Accredited visitor information centresat Geelong, Colac, Torquay, Lorne and ApolloBay and Port Campbell, as the ‘shop front’ forthe attractions of the region, play an importantrole in providing pre-visit information forvisitors. Tourism businesses throughout theGreat Ocean Road and Otway hinterland alsohelp promote the parks.Parks managers support the promotional workof Tourism Victoria, local tourismassociations, accredited visitor informationcentres and local businesses, who help toensure that visitors receive appropriate and upto-dateinformation about the parks. ParksVictoria also provides information through itswebsite (www.parkweb.vic.gov.au), Parknotesand other brochures, information centre hotlineand feature segments on television travel,tourism and wildlife programs. DSE alsoprovides information about recreation andtourism activities in Otway Forest Park on theDSE website (www.dse.vic.gov.au) and inForests Notes and other brochures.OrientationOrientation ensures that visitors can enjoy theparks, access facilities and undertakeappropriate activities. Providing sufficient,effective orientation is a challenge because ofthe size of the parks and the complexity oftheir boundaries.Park managers use information boards, signson access roads and in the parks, rangerpatrols, Parknotes, Forestnotes and maps, inconjunction with a public awareness program,to help orientate visitors (section 9.1). Detailedvisitor orientation information is provided oninformation boards at most of the popularvisitor sites in the parks.40 Great Otway National Park and Otway Forest Park Management Plan