The scope for Geotourism based on Regolith in Southwestern Australia—a theoretical and practical perspective

Regolith in some regions has become a world famous and highly valued tourism attraction or is an emerging geotourism focus. However, there remains much scope for valuing what regolith can offer within the framework of geotourism. We thus present a case for a more inclusive approach to involving regolith in geotourism agendas and illustrate the utility of such an approach using the example of regolith occurring in southwestern Australia. Our case is supported by re-visiting the theoretical framework that underpins geotourism and by considering the status of geotourism in Western Australia. The value of regolith as a topic in geotourism is explained through provision of a simplified scientific background for a range of regolith types from southwestern, Australia. We provide guidance on indicative interpretive content that could be delivered by trained guides. Whilst emphasising that such an approach sets the scene for profiling regolith within geotourism agendas in Western Australia, we also contend that by simplifying the science, recognising its importance in our lives, in combination with an understanding of the sociological objectives of geotourism, regolith can readily be built into geotourism programmes around the world