Last week, 13 Year 11 Geography students travelled to Fremantle as part of their Tourism Depth Study, investigating how tourism shapes places and communities and how individuals and groups may embrace, adapt to or resist tourism.
Throughout the day, students took part in two guided walking tours exploring some of Fremantle’s most iconic tourist destinations, including the Round House, Fremantle Markets, Cappuccino Strip, Fremantle Prison, museums and a range of historic streets and public spaces that attract visitors from across Australia and around the world.
Students took on the role of tourists, observing first-hand why people visit Fremantle and how tourism contributes to the local economy, culture and identity, while also being challenged to think critically about the impacts of tourism on local residents and businesses.
“The excursion in geography where we went to Fremantle offered students a great experience of what a tourist would do in Fremantle. My favourite tourist location was the Fremantle Markets because it offered a mix of diverse cuisine and fresh produce”, student Blair said.
A highlight of the day was an independent scavenger hunt, where students worked individually and in small groups to locate and document as many tourist attractions as possible, encouraging them to navigate the city, make observations and apply their geographical inquiry skills in a real-world setting.
The excursion provided valuable authentic learning experiences that will support students as they continue investigating how communities respond to tourism and the opportunities and challenges it creates.
