leeuwin naturaliste national park management plan - Department of ...

12.0 RECREATION AND TOURISM12.1 PhilosophyTourism in the Shires of Busselton and Augusta-Margaret River has grown rapidly in recent years.Busselton ranks second and Augusta-Margaret River fourth statewide in terms of tourism numbers.Since 1985, visitor numbers have increased 9% to 10% per year, and it is estimated that 350,000visitors per year visit the Park (W.A. Tourism Commission estimates).The Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park is regarded as one of the prime tourist assets in the region.The range of activities which are undertaken in the National Park has also broadened, and there aredemands for activities such as hang gliding, horseriding and "adventure" tours. Park recreationactivities should be resource based. That is, the recreation activity should be fulfilled through contactwith nature, and the enjoyment of the activity heightened by that contact. Not all recreationalactivities have to be accommodated within a National Park. This is neither necessary nor desirable.Many people go to National Parks to escape their urban existence, to be inspired, enriched andrecharged. They do not want to be confronted with crowds and congestion.This dilemma faces the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park. It does get crowded because of itsattractions, and these attractions such as good surfing waves and fishing tend to be of an ephemeralnature. Crowds tend to be transient creating short peaks within the overall visitor pattern. Competitiveevents produce spectators and competitors which tend to occupy sites for longer periods.STRATEGYFacilities within the National Park should complement, rather than compete with, those availableoutside the Park. The recreational experience and the expectations of visitors who wish to stay in theNational Park are different from those who choose to stay in more developed urban facilities.Generally, facilities in the National Park will be either for day-use or camping. The National Parkoffers a different experience from commercial areas. There will be a range of sites provided in thePark from those with minimal facilities which simply guide visitors to avoid adverse impacts on thesurrounding environment, to developed sites with facilities such as walk trails and barbecue areas.The provision of recreation sites within the National Park should cater for the quality, rather than thequantity, of the experience. Retention of the qualities which enrich recreation is a major factor. Inareas where conservation is the aim, it is impossible to cater for unconstrained recreation demand. Itis possible to cater for the "supply" side of recreation by provision of sound management strategies,site design and access to certain areas.46