Adventure racing events in Australia: context, assessment and implications for protected area management

Abstract

This paper investigates the adventure racing phenomenon in Australia, highlighting the nature and extent of adventure racing, its potential environmental and socio-cultural impacts, and the challenges and opportunities it presents for protected area management. We argue that there is cause for concern about the impacts of adventure racing, in particular in a context where activities of this kind are likely to continue and increase in popularity, and where there is a lack of key information about impacts and management. In this context, there is a need for rigorous and informed discussion about adventure racing.