Executive Summary
Hill End is a small town located in the central west of New South Wales, Australia. The location is noteworthy for its architecture from the Gold Rush era, which includes numerous still-operating gold miners and a historic mill. While tourism is a major revenue factor for Australia, the recent trend of tourism in New South Wales is decreasing. There are suggestions that might help the growth of sustainable tourism. They entail better stakeholder management, which might be accomplished by talking to and consulting with important stakeholders more frequently. To maintain the Hill End heritage site, sustainability methods must be implemented, which may entail taking steps like establishing an environmental management plan.
Introduction
Hill End is a small town located in the central west of New South Wales, Australia. The town is situated within the Bathurst Regional Council local government area, approximately midway between the regional cities of Bathurst and Orange. The given town has a population of about 300 people (Melstrom, 2019). It is most notable for its precious metals and for being the Site of Australia’s first gold rush in 1851 (Melstrom, 2019). The investigation analyzes some potential tourist attractions in the area, including nearby Mount Panorama and thoroughbred activity in the park. The report also identifies the town’s main attractions: it is a gold rush heritage and rural setting (Melstrom, 2019). The study finds that the town had the potential to develop as a tourist destination but needed to improve its marketing strategy.
The Cultural Landscape
The Hill End Historic Cultural Site is an area of outstanding natural beauty located in the central west of New South Wales, Australia. The Hill End site is commonly viewed as a cultural landscape due to several features. According to International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), a structure or specific geographic location of cultural and historical importance that has undergone human input and is appreciated by a community is referred to as a cultural landscape (Scazzosi, 2018). The site is, therefore, one of the cultural landscapes of Australia since it includes the remains of the former gold rush town of Hill end and some other heritages listed buildings and sites. The site was added to the Australian National Heritage List in 2006. (Betteridge, 2017). The landscape is significant for its evidence of the gold-mining history of the site, as well as for its natural beauty. The New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service manages the site.
Additionally, the site is significant for its gold rush-era architecture, including several surviving gold mines and an old mill. The landscape also contains natural features, such as hills and streams, which are important in contributing to the cultural landscape (Betteridge, 2017). The National Parks and Wildlife Service maintains the site well and has undertaken several restoration projects over recent years. The Hill End historic site is an important part of the cultural heritage of the central west region of New South Wales and contributes to the area’s identity. It is a popular tourist destination and is used for educational purposes.
Australia’s Current Tourism Industry Research
In 2018, Bathurst Regional Council commissioned a study to investigate the economic contribution of tourism to the local economy. Australia’s Current Tourism Industry Research found that domestic tourism contributed $49.4 million to the Bathurst economy, while cultural tourism contributed $5.4 million (Alonso & Northcote, 2020). Australia’s Current Tourism Industry Research also found that cultural tourism is an important part of the Bathurst tourism offering, with visitors citing heritage and culture as one of the main reasons for visiting the region. However, the heritage and cultural attractions in the Bathurst region include Wentworth Falls, Mount Panorama, and the Royal National Park. As much the Bathurst region is well-known for its motorsport events, such as the Bathurst 1000 and the V8 Supercars Championship (Alonso & Northcote, 2020). These events significantly impact tourism in the region, with visitors coming to see the races and visit nearby attractions.
Furthermore, the Hill End is an important historic site in New South Wales designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site features some historical buildings, including the original homestead, the General Store, and the Post Office (Alonso & Northcote, 2020). It is also known for its agricultural heritage, with crops such as wheat, corn, and hay grown on the property. The site is a popular tourist destination, with visitors coming to see the buildings and learn more about New South Wales’ history. Hence, the Hill End Heritage Museum provides information about the site’s history and features displays of artifacts from the property’s past (Alonso & Northcote, 2020). The museum is open daily from 9 am to 4 pm.
The Scholarly Analysis of Ownership, Management Structure and Stakeholders
Hill End has been reviewed in many scholarly materials due to its historic significance. Initially, the ownership of the site belonged to the government, but eventually, the Australian Historic Cultural Site was transferred to a private owner (Betteridge, 2017). Although the site’s management is likely to include some parties, the organizational structure is still unknown (Hill End, n.d.). These stakeholders may consist of the public sector, the private sector, and the neighborhood (Betteridge, 2017). The Hill End Historic Site Management Authority currently oversees the site, which is accessible to the general public.
The scholarly analysis of ownership, management structure and stakeholders of the Hill End site reveals that the site was formerly owned by the government but is likely to be transferred to a private owner shortly. The site is open for visitors and is managed by the Hill End Historic Site Organization Authority (Janiszewski & Alexakis, 2017). The analysis also reveals that potential stakeholders could benefit from improved management of this historic site, including residents, the government, and private owners. Thus, the analysis provides valuable insights into the site and its stakeholders. It has provided a useful guide for the future management of this important heritage site.
The Site’s Profile and Its Significance
The Hill End Historic Site is a major cultural heritage site located in the town of Hill End, New South Wales. As seen from Figure 1, the site includes a range of historic buildings, structures, and archaeological remains (Hill End, n.d.). It is one of Australia’s most significant cultural heritage sites and is listed on the National Heritage List (Connah, 2020). The Hill End Historic Site was managed by the National Trust of Australia (NSW) until 2013 when the site’s management was transferred to the Hill End Heritage Trust. The trust is a not-for-profit organization that aims to protect, manage, and interpret the heritage of Hill End and the surrounding area. The trust works in partnership with local community organizations, government agencies, and private businesses. The trust has developed a management plan for the site that includes guidelines for stakeholder involvement (Connah, 2020). The trust also applies conservation and sustainability principles when managing the site. These principles include minimizing environmental impact, promoting historical accuracy, and using conservational and recyclable resources as part of sustainability principles. In addition, the Hill End Historic trust manages the site in a way that minimizes environmental impact and promotes historical accuracy.
The Analysis of Visitation
Hill End is a small town located in the central west of New South Wales, Australia. The town’s population has declined significantly since the gold rush days and is now home to just over 200 people. Despite its small population, Hill End is a popular tourist destination, with annual visitation numbers reaching over 10,000 people. Most visitors to Hill End are cultural tourists drawn by the town’s history and heritage.
The analysis of visitation numbers and types of cultural tourists attracted to the site from the case study reveals that most visitors to Hill End are interested in history and heritage. This is reflected in the fact that nearly half (45%) of all visitors to Hill End are classified as cultural tourists (Alonso & Northcote, 2020). It indicates that Hill End is a popular destination for tourists interested in experiencing traditional Australian culture. In addition, the analysis also reveals that visitors to Hill End are predominantly female (68%) (Alonso & Northcote, 2020); this is likely due to the town’s history as a mining town. Consequently, many visitors are interested in exploring the town’s historical sites and attractions.
However, the analysis of visitation numbers and types of cultural tourists attracted to Hill End from the case study provides useful insights into the town’s popularity as a tourist destination. It reveals that Hill End is popular among cultural tourists interested in experiencing traditional Australian culture. As a result, tourism operators in Hill End should consider targeting this demographic when marketing their site to potential tourists.
The Relationship Between Heritage and Tourism Management
Australia’s New South Wales state has designated the little village of Hill End as a historic site. The town is within the boundaries of the Bathurst Regional Council. The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service oversees the Hill End Historic Site. The town’s remains and the surrounding area are also part of the site. The National Parks and Wildlife Service collaborated with travel agencies to market the location and successfully drew tourists. Additionally, it is a stop on the Bathurst Heritage Tour. In general, Hill End is fully equipped for tourism and has outdoor parking, public restrooms, and barbecue facilities (National Parks and Wildlife Service, n.d.). In this sense, Hill End has adequate tourism managements yet there might need to be several improvements.
Intangible Cultural Heritage Values
The Hill End Historic Site in New South Wales is significant for its tangible and intangible cultural heritage values. The town and goldfield are significant for their association with the origin of the Australian gold rushes, which were a major factor in the growth and development of the colony of New South Wales. The Hill End Historic Site is also significant for its association with Australian bushmen, particularly Dick Turpin (Locke, 2018). Hence, the site’s intangible cultural heritage values include its historical associations with the gold rush period and its role in Australian culture and identity development. The site is an important reminder of Australia’s Gold Rush history and is a popular tourist destination. As for the tangible value, although the village does not have functioning mines, the site has Victorian buildings that are valuable.
The Definition and Explanation of Local Residents as Gatekeepers
The local community is involved in the management and protection of the site through several organizations, including the Hill End Heritage Trust (Locke, 2018). The community is also involved in promoting tourism to the site, which is an important source of income for the area. However, the involvement of the local community in the management and protection of the site is an important factor in ensuring its long-term survival and protection. The community can provide a strong sense of ownership and responsibility for the site, which helps to ensure that it is managed sustainably. This involvement also ensures that the local community can share in the benefits generated by tourism development at Hill End.
Definition of and The Suitability of The Burra Charter
The Burra Charter is a set of principles for conserving and managing places of cultural significance. It was developed in 1979 by the Australian Heritage Commission and is now managed by the National Trust of Australia (Connah, 2020). The Charter is based on the belief that places have inherent value and that this value should be conserved for future generations. The Charter guides how to identify, assess and protect places of cultural significance. It also sets out principles for the sustainable development of places so that they can continue to provide value for people today and into the future (Connah, 2020). The Burra Charter is suitable as a tool for sustainable development at Hill End because it guides how to conserve and manage places of cultural significance while also considering the needs of current and future generations.
The Problems Occurring
The problem at the cultural heritage site of Hill End is that the elements are gradually eroding the area. The site is located in a very remote area and is not easily accessible, which makes it difficult to maintain and protect (Saville & Kunnan, 2017). The solution to this problem is to create a sustainable plan that will allow the site to be preserved and protected. This plan should include measures to make the site more accessible, protect it from erosion, and promote tourism in the area (Saville & Kunnan, 2017); this will help to generate income that can be used to maintain and protect the site.
Recommendations of Australian Historic Cultural Site – Hill End
Hill End buildings are well-preserved, and the town has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Technology, such as online guides, is recommended when visiting Hill End, as several interesting historical websites and apps can be used to learn more about the town and its history. Among the potential threats to the heritage of the Hill End is climate-related and is includes flooding (Cook, 2019). Visitors can also use technology to book tickets and make reservations, making planning visits to Hill End much easier. However, the following can improve the site sector and contribute to the sustainable tourism development:
Improved Stakeholder Management
There is a need for improved stakeholder management to protect and conserve the Hill End Heritage site. It could be achieved through increased communication and consultation with key stakeholders, including the local community, Aboriginal groups, historians, and archaeologists.
Sustainability Strategies
There is a need for sustainability strategies to be put in place to protect the Hill End Heritage site because this could include measures such as introducing an environmental management plan, restoring and rehabilitating historic buildings, and conserving natural resources.
Conclusion
Hence, Hill End is a cultural landscape that is noteworthy for the architecture from the Gold Rush era, which still stands today in various gold mines and an ancient mill. Natural elements found in the environment, including hills and streams, are equally significant in contributing to the cultural landscape. Hill End includes outdoor parking, public bathrooms, and grilling facilities, making it tourist-friendly. To safeguard and preserve the Hill End cultural site, better stakeholder management is necessary. Moreover, the Hill End Heritage Site requires the implementation of sustainability measures.