A Photo-elicitation Approach to Exploring the Place Meanings Ascribed by Campers to the Ningaloo Coastline, North-western Australia

A novel meaning of 'everybody's happy' emerges from campers' experiences along the Ningaloo Coast, revealing the affective dimensions of place attachment, particularly for families and social groups. This finding advances understanding of how remote coastal environments foster joy, bonding, and well-being through marine activities, escape, and shared experiences. The study employed photo-elicitation—providing participants with digital cameras to capture their perceptions—followed by in-depth interviews, offering a unique lens on the emotional and social significance of coastal recreation. This approach highlights both the rewards and paradoxes of isolation in managing coast-based tourism, providing critical insights for conservation and visitor experience strategies.

Tonge, J., Moore, S. A., Ryan, M. M., & Beckley, L. E. (2013). A Photo-elicitation Approach to Exploring the Place Meanings Ascribed by Campers to the Ningaloo Coastline, North-western Australia. Australian Geographer, 44(2), 143–160. https://doi.org/10.1080/00049182.2013.789591