The growing recreational use of state forest lands in the Adelaide hills

Pine forests in the Adelaide Hills, originally planted and managed as a source of timber, have become important as a recreation destination, close to the Adelaide urban area, with free public access. A count of forest visitors was carried out over a 12 month period, and a sample interviewed, to determine their main activities, place of residence and socio-economic characteristics. Comparison with the results of a previous study suggest that forest visiting has been increasing at about 8% per year. A dollar value for recreational use was estimated using the travel-cost technique, suggesting a 1996/7 ratio of about 1 : 3.5 between recreation use value and the gross value of timber delivered to the mill. Results confirm the importance of continued public ownership and of continued (and enhanced) multi-use management strategies.