Geotourism focuses on geology and landscapes to create a fun and engaging experience for visitors while also providing opportunities to learn. Geoheritage is about managing, preserving, and protecting important geological features. A geoheritage site has unique geological features or ones with outstanding scientific and educational value. While geotourism and geoheritage can be connected they also have significant differences.
Taking geological materials like fossils and meteorites out of Australia is strictly regulated under the Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act 1986. You need approval from the Minister for the Arts to permanently export Class B objects.
Here are some helpful links for more information and forms:
- Exporting cultural property from Australia (Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts)
- How to export (Australian Border Force)
Uncover how we are involved in geotourism and geoheritage, access reliable sources of information, and how you can get involved.
Geotourism
Geotourism showcases some of Western Australia’s most fascinating geological features and locations. Even if you don’t know much about geology, anyone with a curiosity about the natural world can engage with geotourism. GSWA holds a treasure trove of geological knowledge that can add depth and interest to tourism materials like books, brochures, apps, and signage.
Key resources
Gemstones of Western Australia second edition
Geology and landforms of the Perth region
Geology of the Kennedy Range area
Guidebook to the geology of Rottnest Island
Handbook for the study and description of microbialites
Understanding the Meckering earthquake, Western Australia, 14 October 1968
Visiting geological sites in Western Australia -- a guide to planning, collecting, and procedures
Geoheritage reserves and sites
We keep a register of all geoheritage sites in Western Australia, currently listing 150 sites. Western Australia’s incredible rock formations and history make it a popular place for geotourism and geoscience research. These sites include stunning and unique rock outcrops, evidence of early life on Earth, unusual fossils, rare minerals and rocks, and features that show how geological processes work.
Western Australian sites of geological significance can be given two levels of recognition: geoheritage reserves and geoheritage sites.
Geoheritage reserves are legally protected State C Class Reserves. These are managed by the GSWA Executive Director on behalf of the Minister for Mines and Petroleum. Geoheritage reserves are only created for sites of exceptional international importance that could be damaged or destroyed by foot traffic or sampling.
Each site has a management plan that explains what activities are allowed or not allowed. Most geoheritage reserves are strictly off-limits without prior approval. Activities like camping, driving over rock outcrops, prospecting, and fossicking are banned in all geoheritage reserves. Scientific research and sampling are tightly controlled and require permission in advance.
There are currently eight geoheritage reserves in Western Australia.
Geoheritage reserves associated with impact craters:
- Dalgaranga (R28497) — 70 km northwest of Mount Magnet
- Veevers (R41372) — 520 km east of Newman
Geoheritage reserves associated with early life (Pilbara region):
- Trendall (R50149) — Archean stromatolites
- Lowe (R50150) — Archean stromatolites
- Hickman (R50151) — Archean stromatolites
- Buick (R44710) — Archean stromatolites
- Awramik (R44711) — Archean microfossils
- Schopf (R48969) — Archean microfossils
If you want to visit any of the eight State Geoheritage Reserves, you must get approval from the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS). Make sure to submit your application at least two months before your planned visit.
State Geoheritage Reserve(s) entry application form
Geoheritage sites are important geological locations. They don’t have legal protection like geoheritage reserves but there may still be restrictions on access.
If a site is within a bioconservation or Crown Reserve, it is protected by State or Federal departments, and you will need permission from the relevant department to visit.
If the site is on private land or within a granted exploration or mining licence area, you must get written permission from the landowner or licensee before visiting.
These sites are geologically significant, so it’s important to treat them with care. Avoid damaging rock outcrops, littering, camping, driving through, or collecting rocks from these locations. Respecting these areas helps preserve them for future study and enjoyment.
Use GeoVIEW.WA to view the layer “Geoheritage Sites” under “Special Category Lands”.
Download ESRI shape files, Google Earth KMZ files, or MapInfo Tab files from the Data and Software Centre (located under “Special category lands”).
How you can help protect WA geological icons
Geotourism projects
We work with stakeholders on geotourism projects and can help review publications like maps, pamphlets, flyers, and signage to support specific attractions. Expert geoscientists assess each project and provide reliable sources and appropriate levels of support.
Please contact us for more information on how to work with us on your geotourism project.
Nominate a geoheritage site
Anyone can propose a new geoheritage site using the Geoheritage site nomination form.
When a proposal is submitted, a group of experts will review the site based on several factors, including:
- Scientific significance: Is it important locally, nationally, or internationally?
- Representativeness: How does it compare to similar features elsewhere?
- Vulnerability: How easily could it be damaged?
- Utility: Can it be used for education or other purposes?
Before a site is officially added, it will be listed for public comment.
For more details on the nomination and assessment process, check GSWA Record 2023/3: Register of State Geoheritage Sites, Western Australia: nomination and registration process.
There are no sites currently on the Interim List waiting for formal registration.
You can view proposed sites on GeoVIEW.WA. If you want to share your thoughts or raise concerns about any of these proposed sites, send an email to geoheritage@demirs.wa.gov.au.
Meteorites
According to the Museum Act 1969, all meteorites found in Western Australia belong to the State. They must be reported and given to the Western Australian Museum
