Investigating the Structure of Visitor Experiences in the Little Sandy Desert, Western Australia

Abstract

As part of an ongoing project to explore natural environment experiences (in Western Australia), the author accompanied a recent 'Landscope' science expedition to the Little Sandy Desert (Carnarvon Range, Western Australia). The main goals of the expedition were to conduct botanical, fauna and ornithological surveys, collect for identification purposes potentially new species where appropriate, and to update existing records for the area. With ever increasing numbers of visitors to Western Australia (WA), it is important for all those involved in the management of the natural environment that an understanding of how and in what ways visitors interact with the environment is obtained. A more informed understanding of visitor experiences would assist conservation and ecotourism managers with their decision-making. This study directly sought to identify experience themes for participants on a facilitated nature-based science expedition. Six experience themes are identified. They pertain to the 'educational', and 'social' dimensions of the expedition, the 'nature of the landscape' and how participants perceived their 'relationship with the landscape', and expressions of 'spirituality' and 'affect'.