It feels one million miles away – but the traditional mangroves of Badu are hidden in plain sight, smack bang in Sydney’s Interior West Bicentennial Park.
We Are Explorers acknowledges that this journey is positioned on the normal Nation of the Wann-gal folks who’ve occupied and cared for the lands, waters, and their inhabitants for hundreds of years. We pay our respects to them because the Conventional Custodians and recognise that sovereignty was by no means ceded.
Fast Overview
Badu Mangroves is positioned within the coronary heart of Bicentennial Park, nestled between Homebush Bay and Olympic Park, simply 16km from Sydney’s CBD. A brief elevated boardwalk winds by means of the traditional pure wonderland. Mix this ten-minute jaunt with a stroll across the close by fowl refuge – and the remainder of Bicentennial Park – and also you’ve obtained a good hour-long stroll by means of a diverse panorama.
In some locations it feels just like the bushes are reaching out to provide you a hug
Fast Information Badu Mangroves
Distance: 750m – 5km
Period: 10 minutes – 1 hour
Nearest City: Homebush Bay
About Badu Mangroves
The Badu Mangroves are the most important intertidal wetlands left on the Parramatta River. The 65-hectare estuarine habitat performs an necessary position within the well being of the river, and the elevated boardwalk permits guests to rise up near the unimaginable historical vegetation with out harming it.
Mangroves have at all times been key to the well being of our rivers. Whereas it’s unhappy that solely a tiny fraction of the unique mangroves alongside Parramatta River stay, it’s promising that these mangroves are protected in order that we will get pleasure from and recognize them.
Additional alongside the park you’ll additionally discover the wetlands and waterbird refuge, house to some 200-plus fowl species. It’s a naturally shaped theme park for fowl nerds. Two nesting islands have been created to make sure a predator-free setting for shorebirds, and the inhabitants is flourishing.
Hi there fairy wren!
Badu Mangroves Historical past
Sydney Olympic Park is on the normal lands of the Wann-gal folks. The ecosystem of the river and mangroves offered a method of transport by means of the realm by way of the water.
Regardless of their significance, the mangroves weren’t at all times recognised as important ecosystems, and far of the land on this area was sadly destroyed after European settlement.
The more moderen historical past of Homebush (and certainly, Sydney’s Interior West) is a story of business factories and chemical waste. The encircling space is poorer for it – a lot so that you could’t fish in Homebush Bay due to the dangerous chemical compounds discovered within the fish.
Within the 90s, analysis started to indicate the advantages of those marine ecosystems, and plans had been made for his or her restoration – hooray!
Alongside the boardwalk you’ll discover the Dreaming Monitor Muru nanga mai, by Wiradjuri poet Lorna Munro with a Dharwal interpretation by D’harawal Elder Shannon Foster, honouring the 29 First Nations clans that descend from the realm.
How you can Get to Badu Mangroves
By automotive
Bicentennial Park is a couple of 20-minute drive from Sydney’s CBD. Hop on the M4 till you’re in Homebush, and fang a proper onto Homebush Bay Dr. (A3). Flip left onto Australia Ave, proper onto Bicentennial Dr, the place you’ll discover loads of automotive spots.
By practice
The simplest technique to get to Badu Mangroves by practice is to catch the T9 service in direction of Hornsby by way of Strathfield and get off at Harmony West Station. From there, it’s a five-minute stroll alongside Victoria Ave to get into the park.
By bus
From Strathfield Station, you may catch the 525 or 526 bus which’ll take you proper into Olympic Park on Australia Ave. From there it’s a 15-minute stroll to the mangroves.
The place to Eat Close to Badu Mangroves
In case you’re catching public transport and alighting at Harmony West Station, pop into Mattina Cafe for the most effective chunk to eat and a espresso. It’s obtained the standard suspects like french toast, croissants, scrambled eggs, and actually, the most effective avocado toast I’ve ever eaten. Lodge Harmony is a good selection for a post-walk beverage.
In case you’d desire a chunk to eat within the park itself, there’s a restaurant at Waterview in Bicentennial Park, overlooking the fowl pond. It doubles as a perform centre, so that you may spot a marriage reception in the event you’re there on a weekend. Higher nonetheless, pack a picnic and discover a desk or spot of grass south of the mangrove boardwalk.
Learn extra: Keep in mind to go away no hint
Don’t cease on the boardwalk – apart from blocking the trail we don’t need any crumbs touchdown the place they shouldn’t
Ability Stage
Newbie
Badu Mangroves pram and wheelchair-friendly boardwalk is appropriate for novices, as is the stroll there. Total it’s comparatively brief and flat with no scrambling or steep hills. I’ve taken my child there many instances for his morning nap within the pram and had zero points.
Important Gear for Badu Mangroves
- Aeroguard – the mozzies are sometimes out in full pressure, and I’ve been caught out on a couple of event
- Hat
- Water bottle
- First help equipment
- Sunscreen – particularly if the UV is excessive
- Digicam and/or binoculars – there are Excellent fairy wrens, Black swans, Royal spoonbills, White-faced herons, Nice egrets, Mangrove herons, Pied stilts, White-bellied sea eagles, and Sacred kingfishers to spy in your stroll
And don’t neglect to look out for fungi!
What it’s Wish to Go to Badu Mangroves
I get off the practice at Harmony West station and gas up on an iced latte at Mattina cafe. From there it’s a 5-10 minute stroll by means of suburbia till I discover the Victoria Bridge – the gateway into Bicentennial Park from this facet.
I observe the shared footpath – there’s an actual mixture of walkers, cyclists, and people like me who’re pushing a pram – and make my approach onto Bicentennial Park Pathway, heading north in direction of the fowl refuge. I take a left flip on the signal for Badu Mangroves and immediately really feel like I’ve been transported to a different world.
There’s a quiet, virtually eeriness to the nonetheless water. The one noise I hear is the resident herons stalking the water for fish and chirping cicadas. Fungi grows on the tree trunks and I really feel one million miles away from wherever. If it weren’t for the sounds of close by building I catch on the different finish of the boardwalk I might have forgotten that I used to be in the midst of Sydney.
Once I attain the Olympic Park facet of the boardwalk, I flip round and skim concerning the Dreaming Monitor – Muru nanga mai – tales about how freshwater meets saltwater.
It’s nice to have the ability to study extra concerning the significance of a spot whilst you’re bodily experiencing it
Returning to the trail I proceed north and attain the fowl refuge – there are Black swans and a great deal of Black-winged stilts. If I hold going proper to the top of the trail there’s a fowl disguise, however I skip it at the moment and make my approach again to the Victoria Park Bridge. There are a bunch of picnic tables, BBQs, and a child’s playground right here. It’s the proper cease for a muesli bar and to provide the tiny human a snack too.
Learn extra: Why Birdwatching Will Enhance Your Subsequent Journey & How To Get Began
Ideas For Visiting Badu Mangroves
- Look out for Sliz (not his actual identify), the native Blue-tongue lizard that frequents the realm
- Goal for early morning or early night, when the birds are at their most energetic
- If you wish to discover the mangroves, you’ll want to go away your four-legged buddies at house as canine aren’t permitted on the boardwalk
Keep in mind to take it gradual. It’s simple to race alongside the boardwalk however in the event you take it gradual you’ll be amazed at what you may see
FAQs Badu Mangroves
Why do we’d like mangroves?
Mangroves are actually necessary components of our pure ecosystem. They cut back erosion and enhance soil stability. They’re additionally pivotal in lowering the impacts of storms by absorbing the influence of surges of enormous quantities of water, like throughout floods.
Does Sydney have mangrove forests?
Yep! The Badu Mangroves in Sydney are additionally house to a mangrove forest. Collectively they’re a part of the most important intertidal wetland on the Parramatta River.
Are mangroves protected in Australia?
A lot of the mangroves in Australia are protected by varied technique of formal conservation zones. Relying on their location and which physique is liable for that area, they might be designated as nationwide or state parks, marine parks, recreation reserves or flora/fauna reserves.
Which state in Australia has probably the most mangrove forest?
Queensland has the largest space of mangrove forest out of all of the states in Australia.
What’s the most effective place to go birdwatching in Sydney?
The most effective place for birdwatching in Sydney is round Badu Mangroves in Bicentennial Park.
What’s the most effective time of day for birding?
Birds are least energetic in the midst of the day and most energetic at daybreak.
