This comprehensive guide of ~150 pages was prepared through collaboration between the authorities in Queensland and New South Wales as well as the University of Queensland. To access this authoritative material:

Open the Monitoring Visitors to Natural Areas index pdf which explains the structure of the report (and contains hotlinks to the individual subject sections, but the links have not yet been activated).

Open the Monitoring Visitors to Natural Areas assembled report, including Glossary, References and Appendices.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

List of tables iv
List of figures v
Abbreviations vi
Acknowledgements vii
Preface viii

PART 1 INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 Managing Natural Areas: Balancing Dual Responsibilities 1
1.2 Visitor Monitoring: Bridging the Gap 2
1.3 Objectives of the Manual 3
1.4 The Visitor Monitoring System 3

PART 2 GUIDELINES FOR ESTIMATING VISITOR USE 5
2.1 Introduction 5
2.2 Standardising Measurement Units 5
2.3 The Visitor Use Monitoring Process 5
2.3.1 Phase 1: Preliminary Design Considerations 5
2.3.1.1 Step 1: Clearly define the rationale for data collection 5
2.3.1.2 Step 2: Determine objectives of monitoring visitor use 7
2.3.1.3 Step 3: Familiarise yourself with the area 7
2.3.1.4 Step 4: Design a sampling plan 7
2.3.1.5 Step 5: Review alternative methods for monitoring use 10
2.3.1.6 Step 6: Select the most appropriate method(s) 15
2.3.2 Phase 2: Program Development 16
2.3.2.1 Step 7: Design a visitor use monitoring program 16
2.3.3 Phase 3: Data Analysis and Reporting 16
2.3.3.1 Step 8: Data preparation, analysis, reporting and storage 16

PART 3 GUIDELINES FOR VISITOR SURVEYS 19
3.1 Introduction 19
3.2 The Visitor Survey Process 19
3.2.1 Phase 1: Questionnaire Development 19
3.2.1.1 Step 1: Define survey objectives, resources and constraints 19
3.2.1.2 Step 2: Review methods of data collection 19
3.2.1.3 Step 3: Compare and evaluate survey modes 25
3.2.1.4 Step 4: Select the most appropriate method 29
3.2.1.5 Step 5: Determine survey questions 30
3.2.1.6 Step 6: Establish questionnaire layout and flow 39
3.2.1.7 Step 7: Evaluate the questionnaire 42
3.2.1.8 Step 8: Pre-test the questionnaire 43
3.2.2  Phase 2: Design A Sampling Strategy 44
3.2.2.1 Step 9: Determine the target population 45
3.2.2.2 Step 10: Determine the sample frame 45
3.2.2.3 Step 11: Select a sampling method 46
3.2.2.4 Step 12: Determine sample size 47
3.2.2.5 Step 13: Dealing with non-response 51
3.2.3  Phase 3: Administration of Questionnaires 53
3.2.3.1 Step 14: Scheduling the survey 53
3.2.3.2 Step 15: Select survey locations 54
3.2.3.3 Step 16: Determine staffing requirements 54
3.2.3.4 Step 17: Pre-survey preparation 56
3.2.3.5 Step 18: Distribute questionnaires 57
3.2.3.6 Step 19: Data management 59
3.2.4 Phase 4: Data Analysis and Reporting 61
3.2.4.1 Step 20: Prepare data for analysis 61
3.2.4.2 Step 21: Data entry 63
3.2.4.3 Step 22: Data analysis 64
3.2.4.4 Step 23: Report generation 67
3.2.4.5 Step 24: Data storage and retrieval 68
3.3 Survey Research: Ethical Issues 69
3.3.1 Informing Respondents 69
3.3.2 Protecting Respondents 69
3.3.3 Benefits to Respondents 70
3.3.4 Ethical Responsibilities to Interviewers 70

PART 4 CORE QUESTIONS MODULE 71

PART 5 QUESTION BANK MODULES:
STANDARD QUESTIONS 73
5.1 Visitor Characteristics Sub-module 73
5.2 Travel Characteristics Sub-module 74
5.3 Nature of the Visit Sub-module 76
5.4 Interpretation and Education Sub-module 86
5.5 Visitor Spending Sub-module 87
5.6 Visitor Satisfaction Sub-module 93
5.7 Natural Area Management Sub-module 94

PART 6 QUESTION BANK MODULES:
BEST PRACTICE QUESTIONS 95
6.1 Visitor Characteristics Sub-module 95
6.2 Travel Characteristics Sub-module 99
6.3 Nature of the Visit Sub-module 103
6.4 Interpretation and Education Sub-module 105
6.5 Visitor Spending Sub-module 106
6.6 Visitor Satisfaction Sub-module 108

REFERENCES 111

APPENDICES 115
APPENDIX I: Probability and Nonprobability Sampling Methods 116
APPENDIX II: Kondalilla National Park Visitor Survey: Format and Layout 119
APPENDIX III: Interview-administered Front End Interview Form 125
APPENDIX IV: Self-administered Front End Interview Form 127
APPENDIX V: Questionnaire Response Rate Form 129
APPENDIX VI: Reminder Letter Template for Follow-up Mailings 131

GLOSSARY 133