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Dr Lindsay Simpson Photos supplied: Faye Chapman
The Whitsunday Conservation Council's next Green Drinks event will offer more than a conversation, with the launch of an interactive digital trail designed to uncover the hidden stories of the region's world-renowned landscapes.
On Tuesday, July 14, at the Reef Gateway Hotel, the Council will officially unveil the Whitsunday Heart of the Reef Discovery Trail, giving attendees a first look at the immersive web app and the stories that will soon line the Bicentennial Walkway and other locations across the region.
"The idea of the trail was to provide visitors and locals with a richer understanding of what's under the water before they head out on a boat and go snorkelling,” said Whitsunday Conservation Council committee member and project coordinator Dr Lindsay Simpson.
The trail follows the journey of a sea turtle as it travels through the Whitsundays, with each stop exploring a different ecosystem. From seagrass meadow encounters with dugong to open ocean interaction with whales, visitors will learn the wildlife and habitats that make the region so otherworldly.
The trail will connect visitors with the stories of the Whitsundays as they explore the coastline, using geo-positioned QR codes to access immersive multimedia experiences that reveal the hidden stories of the landscapes beneath their feet.
Dr Rachael Smith, another one of the project coordinators and a science communicator, said the trail would give locals and visitors an understanding of the full extent of the ecosystems and biodiversity that make the region globally recognised.
"With 74 islands stretching from Bowen to the Repulse Islands, the Whitsunday region encompasses more than eight million hectares of marine park and hosts approximately 400 species of coral in its fringing reefs,” Dr Smith said.
“The region's diverse landscape spans from pristine islands and protected bays to ancient rainforests and fertile valleys, creating a complex ecosystem that supports thousands of species, including rare and endangered wildlife."
The idea also acknowledges the work volunteers have put in to maintain and protect this unique form of biodiversity, such as Eco Barge Clean Seas, who have collected 240,000 in trash since 2009 and Whitsundays seagrass Volunteers, who worked tirelessly on the grass since 1998. The trail will give visitors the chance to learn from and get inspired by these “Local Heroes”.
"We hope it will encourage volunteer tourism and citizen science, such as Eye on the Reef, where citizens actively collect data underwater,” Dr Simpson said.
Anyone interested in sponsoring the project or providing feedback can contact lindsaywcc@gmail.com.
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