Destination's Journey

Category: Bushwalking

  • Urunga Wetlands Boardwalk

    Urunga Wetlands Boardwalk

    Urunga Wetlands Boardwalk

    The Urunga Wetlands and Boardwalk are the result of a ten million dollar project to rehabilitate an old mining processing plant. The result is a beautifully restored wetland and the containment of the tailings and their heavy metal content.

    History of the Site

    In 1969, Broken Hill Antimony Pty Ltd established an antimony processing plant on the site. Located at Hillside Drive, Urunga the processing plant extracted the heavy metal antimony from its ore, stibnite. After the ore was delivered to the site, it was crushed, and the antimony removed using complex chemical reagents and equipment.

    Although the processing produced an estimated 400 tonnes of product, it generated 16,000 tonnes of waste. These waste tailings were rich in heavy metals including antimony, arsenic, lead and reagent residues of cyanide and cresylic acid. Poor management of the tailings resulted a spreading plume of waste contamination the surrounding wetlands.

    Although sold to a private owner after closure in 1974, no clean-up or remediation work occurred.

    A combination of soluble leachate and insoluble sediments impacted the wetland causing largescale die back of the swamp paperbark (Melaleuca quinquenervia) and damage to the habitat of the wetland for birds, plants and fish.

    The Rehabilitation Process

    The Environmental Protection Authority declared this a remediation site in in 2002 because of long-standing concerns by the community, environmentalists and Bellingen Shire Council. With the owner unable to fund the remediation work ownership of the site transferred to the NSW Government as Crown land. In 2011 a remediation order was placed on the site.

    Around four hectares of land needed excavation. A total of 36,400 tonnes of contaminated soils and sediments required removal. Stockpiled and then treated with chemicals to stabilise it, the waste now sits in an engineered containment cell constructed on-site. Remediation resulted in a total of 224 tonnes of antimony, arsenic, lead and mercury removed from the environment.

    Only a grassy mound now indicates where the containment cell is located, but beneath that surface is an engineered structure with 15 different layers.

    The Site Today

    If you were unaware of the site’s history, you might think the area had not required rehabilitation because it looks so amazing. The initial walk winds through replanted forest before reaching the wetlands. At this point a 150m boardwalk crosses the water, allowing you great views of the melaleuca forest on the far shore. Along the way, sedges, lilies and other wetland plants line the shores.

    On the far side of the boardwalk the track continues completing a loop to the carpark. Along the 450m of walking track, information boards show the layout of the area, provide you the history of the site and show what wildlife you may see.

    How to Get There

    A carpark on Hillside Drive, Urunga has plenty of room. However, there are no facilities here apart from rubbish bins, so bring your own food and refreshments.

    Swimming and Canoeing

    Visitors should stay on the paths to avoid disturbing wildlife and allow the vegetation to establish. Although the water appears clean, traces of heavy metals are still present, so swimming and boating are not permitted.

    What Did We Think?

    We enjoyed the walk and were amazed how well the rehabilitation turned out. This was a great place to visit while we were in Urunga.

    Start of the Track
    Start of the Track
    Information board Urunga Wetlands Boardwalk
    Information board
    A view of the wetlands from the walking track
    A view of the wetlands from the walking track
    A section of the Urunga Wetlands Boardwalk
    A section of the wetlands
    Melaleuca tree on the edge of the Urunga Wetlands Boardwalk
    Melaleuca tree on the edge of the swamp
    Sedges, melaleuca trees and lilies Urunga Wetlands Boardwalk
    Sedges, melaleuca trees and lilies
    The boardwalk over the swamp
    The boardwalk over the swamp
    Small island Urunga Wetlands Boardwalk
    Small island surrounded by lilies
    View of the melaleuca forest across the wetlands
    View of the melaleuca forest across the wetlands

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    To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

  • Dangar Island and Brooklyn Ferry

    Dangar Island and Brooklyn Ferry

    Dangar Island

    The first European to visit the area was Governor Arthur Phillip, who explored the lower river by small boat in March 1788 within weeks of the First Fleet’s arrival. He named it Mullet Island, for the abundance of fish in the local Hawkesbury River. The island was purchased in 1864 and renamed by Henry Cary Dangar, the son of Henry Dangar, a surveyor, pastoralist and parliamentarian.

    Subdivided into residential plots in the 1920s while it still retains some areas for recreational use. Around 330 permanent residents call the island home.

    Getting There

    Dangar Island can only be accessed by water, either by ferry, private boat or water taxi. We used the ferry, which operates seven days per week. The ferry “Sun” is itself a historic boat, making the trip that little bit more interesting.

    The ferry leaves from Brooklyn north of Sydney, where parking is available near the wharf. The Brooklyn train station is only a short walk from the wharf, making this a great option if you don’t want to drive. The ferry arrival and departure times coincide with the train’s timetable.

    On the Island

    The only vehicles on the island are the fire truck and council ute, with all other vehicles banned. Residents use wheel barrows to haul items from the wharf to their homes. As you leave the ferry, you will see a line up of wheel barrows on the side of the path. On the opposite side is a metal sculpture of a Stegosaurus.

    Our first stop was the coffee shop next to the wharf. This also serves as the island’s only shop, because of the small population. Sitting outside was very relaxing, and a great way to start our visit before setting off to explore.

    Walking Around

    With only around 3km of roads, walking around the island does not take too long. You can download a map, to show various things to see on the island. However, we spent a lot of time at the beach, which had driftwood from recent storms washed up. Also near the beach the rocks are covered in oysters, although most have been removed by fishermen.

    One small relic here dates from the Second World War when the Australian Army garrisoned the island and manned a cable boom across the river to protect the railway bridge. A small section of rusted steel embedded in the rocks is all that remains.

    We visited at low tide and much of the beach was exposed. The exposed sand was covered in small mounds of sand from crabs that had burrowed down until the tide returned. From the amount of burrows, there must be a huge crab population here.

    From the upper road, you get great views of the Hawkesbury and the railway bridge. A rock shelter previously used the local Guringai people before European settlement sits just off the upper road.

    Returning to Brooklyn

    After around three hours, we returned to the wharf where we had a cold drink while we waited for the ferry. Make sure you don’t miss the last ferry, or you will need to call the water taxi, which is much more expensive.

    This was a fun relaxing morning out to somewhere that’s a little different. The locals and the atmosphere of the island is great and we had a great time, well worth a visit.

    Historic Ferry the Sun
    Historic Ferry the Sun
    Fishing boats tied up at Brooklyn Brooklyn Ferry to Dangar Island
    Fishing boats tied up at Brooklyn
    Houses and private jetties on Dangar Island
    Houses and private jetties on Dangar Island
    Bikes left at the ferry wharf
    Bikes left at the ferry wharf
    Wheel barrows to carry your things home in Brooklyn Ferry to Dangar Island
    Metal stegosaurus
    Metal stegosaurus
    typical Dangar Island road
    typical Dangar Island road
    The Pavilion and Beware of the Rabbit sign Brooklyn Ferry to Dangar Island
    The Pavilion and Beware of the Rabbit sign
    Fence made of old surf boards
    Fence made of old surf boards
    driftwood on a beach Brooklyn Ferry to Dangar Island
    driftwood on a beach
    One of Dangar Island's beaches
    One of Dangar Island’s beaches
    Private jetties at low tide
    Private jetties at low tide
    Rusting remains of the barrage from World War Two Brooklyn Ferry to Dangar Island
    Rusting remains of the barrage from World War Two
    Crab metropolis. The piles of sand are from crab burrows Brooklyn Ferry to Dangar Island
    Crab metropolis. The piles of sand are from crab burrows
    Rocks and trees on a beach Brooklyn Ferry to Dangar Island
    Rocks and trees on a beach
    The Cave
    The Cave
    Hawkesbury River Railway Bridge Brooklyn Ferry to Dangar Island
    Hawkesbury River Railway Bridge
    Cold Bundaberg Ginger Beer Brooklyn Ferry to Dangar Island
    Cold Bundaberg Ginger Beer
    Historic Ferry the Sun

    To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

    Our photos are available for purchase on

  • Flat Rock Gully Walking Track

    Flat Rock Gully Walking Track

    Flat Rock Gully Walking Track

    Located in the Sydney council of Willoughby, Flat Rock Gully Walking Track is a 4km return trip through bushland bordering a small creek. Utilised for the disposal of domestic and industrial waste until 1985, the area became overgrown with weeds. Following the closing of the tip and associated incinerator, the area has been landscaped and bush land regenerated. The result is a beautiful walk, through trees and ferns in the centre of Sydney.

    Parking

    Parking is available near the start of the track at Small Street where a gated entrance leads to parking spots. Additional parking at the netball courts, near the old incinerator is a five-minute walk away.

    Flat Rock Gully Walking Track

    Starting off with bitumen and a section of boardwalk, the track appears an easy hike. However, this soon gives way to rougher sections of rock and dirt track. Sections have steppingstones added to aid walking in wet conditions and in going up and down the slopes. In wet and rainy weather, these areas become very slippery, so good hiking boots are needed, as well as being careful.

    Council Bush Regenerators, contractors and volunteers have done an amazing job reducing the weeds present along the track. As a result, you can now walk through remnant Australian bush while in the centre of Sydney.

    Easy start to the Flat Rock Gully Walking Track
    Easy start to the Walking Track
    Small section of boardwalk
    Small section of boardwalk
    Water stained boulders on the side of the Flat Rock Gully Walking Track
    Water stained boulders on the side of the track
    Track descending to the gully floor
    Track descending to the gully floor
    Stone Steps of the Flat Rock Gully Walking Track
    Stone Steps of the track
    Stone Steps of the Flat Rock Gully Walking Track
    Stone Steps of the track
    Flat Rock Gully Walking Track
    Flat Rock Gully Walking Track

    Flat Rock Creek

    The creek crossing is a series of steppingstones, which will be slippery when wet and during high rainfall may be submerged. At the crossing, a stone embankment prevents erosion of the creek banks and has become overgrown in moss. This makes the area look old and overgrown, but also extremely slippery.

    Stepping stones over Flat Rock Creek
    Stepping stones over Flat Rock Creek
    Flat Rock Creek with moss covered retaining wall
    Flat Rock Creek with moss covered retaining wall

    Long Gully Bridge

    Crossing the gully at the end of the walk is Long Gully Bridge. Built to access a housing development at Northbridge in the 1890s, the false crenellated turreted towers make it look very medieval. Under the bridge, a large, landscaped area was once the council tip. The 30 metres of fill has been rehabilitated into playing fields, where we saw a game of cricket being played.

    From The Cricket Fields Looking up at the Bridge
    From The Cricket Fields Looking up at the Bridge
    The Bridge from below
    The Bridge from below
    Long Gully Bridge from below
    Long Gully Bridge from below

    Flat Rock Drive Pedestrian Underpass Indigenous Art Work

    Pedestrian access from the track to the baseball diamond and netball courts is via an underpass under Flat Rock Drive. If you park at the netball courts, this is the best way to get to the track.

    Decorated with large indigenous murals unlike many underpasses left in dull concrete. Not far from here is the Henry Lawson Cave, where the poet would sleep off a drinking session at the local tavern.

    Indigenous art work on the Flat Rock Drive underpass
    Indigenous art work on the Flat Rock Drive underpass
    Indigenous art work on the Flat Rock Drive underpass
    Indigenous art work on the Flat Rock Drive underpass

    What Did We Think?

    This was a really fun track to walk. Moderately difficult and a little slippery in the wet, the walk through remnant forest and along a creek was fun. Looking at the underside of the bridge and the decorated underpass were added bonuses.

    Our photos are available for purchase on

    To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.