Playing in the Bush

'The studies range from the 19th century romantic getaways of picking flowers and picnicking to 21st century extreme sports such as canyoning and abseiling. Indigenous perspectives are included ... Helpfully many of the references are to unpublished reports such as plans of management which are often difficult to access without the details provided.'

Caroline Ford is a cultural heritage researcher with the Office of Environment and Heritage (New South Wales).

Richard White is an honorary associate professor of history at the University of Sydney, specialising in the history of travel and tourism. He retired in 2013.

Foreword
Acknowledgements
Notes on contributors

Introduction by Richard White and Caroline Ford

1. The recreational rationale in NSW national parks by Richard White
2. Flirting with the picturesque: the effects of Romanticism and romance by Ella Barnett
3. It’s not all fun and games: rules, regulations and bad behaviour by Justine Greenwood
4. Playing with fire: the place of campfires in nature tourism by Julia Bowes
5. The comforts of nature: a history of recreational facilities by Fiona Howie
6. ‘The adventurer’s playground’: courting danger in national parks by Isobelle Barrett Meyering
7. Teaching citizenship: education and the nation in urban national parks by Claire Farrugia

' ... very relevant for people who are interested in park management but it also has broader appeal because of the diversity of its subject matter.'
Rachel Fitzhardinge   Nature New South Wales

'One of the most satisfying aspects of the book, and one of its key contributions, is the way it so successfully illustrates the value of a historical perspective for deepening understanding of many current debates about the appropriate uses of national parks, and the range of management challenges that result.'
Lee Davidson   Australian Historical Studies

'appealing series of essays considers ways in which national parks in New South Wales (NSW) have been managed and used for recreational leisure for 130 years ... a notable achievement by a group of young scholars.'
Melanie Hall   Journal of Tourism History

' ... its evocative subject matter sent me off into reveries about my own experiences of campfires, romantic moments in sylvan glens and challenging canoe excursions, and then to the internet to investigate possibilities for future park visits. It will capture the imagination of the broad audience for which it is intended.'
Nancy Cushing   Journal of Australian Studies

Format: paperback
Size: 210 × 148 × 14 mm
248 pages
14 colour illustrations and 35 b&w illustrations
Copyright: © 2012
ISBN: 9781743320020
Publication: 02 Aug 2012