An aspect of the geography of recreation on the South Coast of New South Wales

Abstract

The problem of high peaking in recreation use of coastal resources in December and January is identified and reference made to the need for spreading this demand over a longer period. The recreation use of an area on the N.S.W. South Coast is described. The visitor population is identified and visitors’ attitudes and behaviour patterns discussed. The role of climate in recreation land use and the use of indices to describe the suitability of climate for recreation are investigated. The importance of the heat balance of the human body to the comfort experienced in the course of recreation activities is identified as the most suitable method for derivation of an index of recreation climate. A model of the heat balance is proposed, and applied to daily weather data for Moruya Heads to obtain a recreation climate index. Monthly frequencies of values of the index are derived for a number of popular recreation activities, and the most suitable time of year for a vacation in the area is identified with regard to these preferences. It is shown that the peak demand in December and January is a result of other considerations and is not justified by the area’s climate. Public knowledge of the time at which the most suitable climate conditions occur in the area may assist in shifting demand to other periods of the year.