Adventure Racing Events in Australia: context, assessment and implications for protected area management

Abstract

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.