Site Guide
How to use this site
Table of contents
Acknowledgements
This web site is designed to provide staff of tourist attractions with the knowledge and skills to develop, evaluate and improve their interpretive facilities. While each section is designed to stand alone, we recommend that you work through them in the order they are presented. The text is supported by exercises that reinforce the concepts discussed - we suggest you take time to complete these as they will clarify the content and help you develop skills in sign design and evaluation.
Principles of 'best practice' design are accompanied by:
 photographs. Some of these photographs are accompanied by exercises designed to reinforce concepts discussed throughout this web site;- diagrams, graphics;
 virtual tours of key tourist attractions around Australia; - exercises to stimulate discussion and improve interpretive and design skills and a
- checklist that can be printed out and used to evaluate your signs and exhibits.
Navigation through the site
The burgundy side menu is your key area for navigation. Each section is highlighted to indicate your current position. The black and white strip at the top of the page also indicates the section you are currently reading.
Other navigation tools are:
 links to the top of the page you are reading links to the previous page you were reading
Printing
This site is best printed in landscape orientation.
Viewing Virtual tours
This site is best viewed with the screen brightness and contrast on their highest settings. To view the images, you will need Quicktime 4+ installed on your machine.
This is a free download.
Installation settings - These movies are best viewed at the screen resolution of 800x600 pixels with true colour.
| Main topics |
Sub topics |
Further reading |
| The role of interpretation |
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| Effective interpretation |
Relevant |
Using analogies, metaphors, stories |
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Varied |
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Structured |
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Theme-based |
Developing themes |
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Visitor-centred |
Interpreting emotional issues |
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Targeted |
Layering information |
| Interpretation and signage |
Designing warning signs |
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| Attracting visitors' attention |
Position, position, position |
Placement of signs |
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Elements that catch the eye |
Catchy titles and other tricks |
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Meeting the needs of special groups |
Children and families |
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Visitors with disabilities |
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Older adults |
| Selecting text and illustrations |
Simplifying text |
Making text more readable |
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Formatting text |
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Pictures paint a thousand words |
Putting it into practice |
| Constructing signs |
Strengths and weaknesses of common sign materials |
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| Evaluating your signs |
Checklist for visitor attractions |
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| Designing brochures |
Identifying your target market |
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Brochures that attract visitors |
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Brochures for self-guided attractions |
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| Virtual tours |
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| Conclusion |
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| Checklist |
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This web site was funded by a Regional Tourism Program grant, Queensland University of Technology, the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame and Brisbane Forest Park.
Thanks are extended to the following visitor attractions for allowing us to photograph their signs and brochures. Please note that in some cases it was necessary to modify signs in order to make the text readable on the screen.
Aquascene, Darwin
Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney
Australian War Memorial, Canberra
Cradle Mountain National Park, Tasmania
Crocodylus Park, Darwin
Fogg Dam, NT
Kakadu National Park, NT
Lake St Clair Visitor Centre, Tasmania
Mt Field National Park, Tasmania
Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin
National Museum of Australia, Canberra
Port Arthur Historic Site, Tasmania
Strahan Visitor Centre, Tasmania
Territory Wildlife Park, Darwin
Top End Barra Fishing, Darwin
Window on the Wetlands, NT
We would also like to thank staff of the following centres for providing comments on draft versions of the web site:
Australian Workers Heritage Centre, Barcaldine, Queensland
Burke Memorial Museum, Beechworth, Victoria
Billabong Sanctuary, Townsville, Queensland
Department of Primary Industries, Water & Environment, Tasmania
Ecotourism Association of Australia
Golden Dragon Museum, Bendigo, Victoria
Great Adventures, Port Douglas, Queensland
Hinchinbrook Shire Council, Queensland
Interpretation Australia Association
Joint Training & Professional Development Program, Brisbane
Kakadu National Park, NT
National Park and Wildlife SA
Outback Caravan Park, Tennant Creek, NT
Port Arthur Historic Site, Tasmania
Qantas Founders Museum
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
Riversleigh Fossils Museum, Mount Isa, Queensland
Rottnest Island Authority, WA
Stockman's Hall of Fame, Longreach, Queensland
Waltzing Matilda Centre, Winton, Queensland
Wet Tropics Management Authority, Cairns, Queensland
Youth Hostels Association of Queensland
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