It feels one million miles away – but the traditional mangroves of Badu are hidden in plain sight, smack bang in Sydney’s Inside West Bicentennial Park.
We Are Explorers acknowledges that this journey is situated on the standard Nation of the Wann-gal folks who’ve occupied and cared for the lands, waters, and their inhabitants for 1000’s 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 situated 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 way of the traditional pure wonderland. Mix this ten-minute jaunt with a stroll across the close by chook refuge – and the remainder of Bicentennial Park – and also you’ve bought a good hour-long stroll by way of a diversified panorama.
In some locations it feels just like the bushes are reaching out to offer you a hug
Fast Info Badu Mangroves
Distance: 750m – 5km
Length: 10 minutes – 1 hour
Nearest City: Homebush Bay
About Badu Mangroves
The Badu Mangroves are the biggest 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 stand up near the unbelievable historic 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 chook species. It’s a naturally shaped theme park for chook nerds. Two nesting islands have been created to make sure a predator-free setting for shorebirds, and the inhabitants is flourishing.
Howdy fairy wren!
Badu Mangroves Historical past
Sydney Olympic Park is on the standard lands of the Wann-gal folks. The ecosystem of the river and mangroves supplied a method of transport by way of the world through 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 Inside West) is a story of commercial factories and chemical waste. The encompassing space is poorer for it – a lot to be able to’t fish in Homebush Bay due to the dangerous chemical substances discovered within the fish.
Within the 90s, analysis started to indicate the advantages of those marine ecosystems, and plans have been made for his or her restoration – hooray!
Alongside the boardwalk you’ll discover the Dreaming Observe 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 world.
The right way to Get to Badu Mangroves
By automotive
Bicentennial Park is a few 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 prepare
The simplest approach to get to Badu Mangroves by prepare is to catch the T9 service in direction of Hornsby through 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’ll be able to 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
If you happen to’re catching public transport and alighting at Harmony West Station, pop into Mattina Cafe for the most effective chew to eat and a espresso. It’s bought the same old suspects like french toast, croissants, scrambled eggs, and actually, the most effective avocado toast I’ve ever eaten. Resort Harmony is a superb alternative for a post-walk beverage.
If you happen to’d want a chew to eat within the park itself, there’s a restaurant at Waterview in Bicentennial Park, overlooking the chook pond. It doubles as a operate centre, so that you would possibly spot a marriage reception should 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: Bear in mind to depart 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
Talent Stage
Newbie
Badu Mangroves pram and wheelchair-friendly boardwalk is appropriate for rookies, 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 power, and I’ve been caught out on multiple event
- Hat
- Water bottle
- First support package
- Sunscreen – particularly if the UV is excessive
- Digital camera 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 Prefer to Go to Badu Mangroves
I get off the prepare at Harmony West station and gas up on an iced latte at Mattina cafe. From there it’s a 5-10 minute stroll by way 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 method onto Bicentennial Park Pathway, heading north in direction of the chook 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, nearly 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 course of Sydney.
Once I attain the Olympic Park facet of the boardwalk, I flip round and browse in regards to the Dreaming Observe – Muru nanga mai – tales about how freshwater meets saltwater.
It’s nice to have the ability to study extra in regards to the significance of a spot when you’re bodily experiencing it
Returning to the trail I proceed north and attain the chook refuge – there are Black swans and a great deal of Black-winged stilts. If I maintain going proper to the top of the trail there’s a chook conceal, however I skip it as we speak and make my method again to the Victoria Park Bridge. There are a bunch of picnic tables, BBQs, and a child’s playground right here. It’s the right cease for a muesli bar and to offer 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 world
- 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 depart your four-legged mates at house as canine aren’t permitted on the boardwalk
Bear in mind to take it gradual. It’s straightforward to race alongside the boardwalk however should you take it gradual you’ll be amazed at what you’ll be able to see
FAQs Badu Mangroves
Why do we’d like mangroves?
Mangroves are actually necessary elements of our pure ecosystem. They cut back erosion and enhance soil stability. They’re additionally pivotal in decreasing the impacts of storms by absorbing the affect of surges of huge 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 biggest intertidal wetland on the Parramatta River.
Are mangroves protected in Australia?
Many of the mangroves in Australia are protected by numerous technique of formal conservation zones. Relying on their location and which physique is liable for that area, they could be designated as nationwide or state parks, marine parks, sport reserves or flora/fauna reserves.
Which state in Australia has essentially the most mangrove forest?
Queensland has the most important space of mangrove forest out of all of the states in Australia.
What’s the most effective place to go birdwatching in Sydney?
The perfect 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 course of the day and most energetic at daybreak.
