Learn about recreation and tourism in the Alps
Australian Alps Education Kit
Chapter 12 – Recreation and tourism in the Australian Alps
Australian Alps Liaison Committee, November 2005
Enjoying the Australian Alps
Snowshoeing in Australian
Alps
Photo: K.McCallum
What does recreation mean?
Is it the thrill of skiing down a steep run, the challenge of rock climbing or kayaking down a section of river? Recreation could be a restful day in a beautiful place, bushwalking, orienteering, having a picnic, fishing, meditating or cycling.
Whatever the activity, the common element of all these activities is enjoyment. And the Australian Alps provide people with plenty of opportunities for enjoyment.
The enduring qualities of the Australian Alps include its magnificent rugged scenery and dramatic weather changes, and the challenging nature of the mountains. These qualities have long attracted people and inspired adventurers, artists and poets.
Recreation in these early days was low key, a pastime secondary to making a living in the Alps. In the 1860s, miners at Kiandra (NSW) experimented with rough-hewn timber skis on nearby small slopes during the winter.
Since then, recreation has developed into a major land use of the Alps.
More Information
For more information about recreation and tourism in the Australian Alps:
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