Located in Urunga on the NSW mid-north coast, the Urunga Lagoon Footbridge is a 1km long walkway through mangroves to the Pacific Ocean. Commencing in 1988, construction continued in three stages, until final completion in 2010. This wheelchair friendly walk is a great way to experience the coast from a sheltered lagoon to mangrove swamps and the surf of the Pacific Ocean.
Getting There
Urunga is a 90 minutes drive north of Port Macquarie, or a 30 minute drive south from Coffs Harbour. The small carpark near the caravan park quickly becomes full, but we were luck and found a spot straight away.
Facilities
A toilet block and change rooms allow you to change before and after swimming. Showers also let you wash the sand and salt water off before you leave.
When we visited, a coffee van was selling refreshments and snacks, which was great as we bought some and relaxed before walking on the footbridge.
Urunga Lagoon Footbridge
At around 1,000m long and flat this is an easy walk, which also makes it popular. Families were having a great time, with kids jumping off into the water and swimming around. Remember to check the tides and water depth though, as the area is not patrolled by lifeguards.
Around 300m into the walk, a second path diverges to the right into the mangroves. Badly damaged, this section is closed while awaiting repairs.
Walking along the footbridge, we had a great view of the Urunga Lagoon and surrounding mangrove forest. Extending as far as the mouth of the Bellingen River, the footbridge finishes on a surf beach where you can see the Pacific Ocean.
What Did We Think?
This was a great place to sit and relax and then have a nice easy walk. We came here after visiting the Urunga Wetlands Boardwalk. This is a good order to do them, as there are no facilities at the wetlands and access to the water is not allowed. Doing them this way would let any kids have a swim, go to the toilet or buy some drinks and snacks.
Information BoardUrunga LagoonView toward the mangrove swampBellingen River entering the ocean
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 TrackInformation boardA view of the wetlands from the walking trackA section of the wetlandsMelaleuca tree on the edge of the swampSedges, melaleuca trees and lilies The boardwalk over the swampSmall island surrounded by liliesView of the melaleuca forest across the wetlands
One of the great walking tracks in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, the Grand Canyon Track is a 6.3km loop that descends 1,000 steps to Greaves Creek before climbing out again to the top. During the hike, you pass through rain forest, past waterfalls and get some of the best views of the surrounding World Heritage Listed area.
Parking
Three carparks in the area are all good places to leave your car. As the walk is a loop, you will need to pass all of them at one stage. Which one you choose is up to you, but we used Neates Glen car park, because it lets to start on the track straight away. Additionally, you get to finish the climb out of the canyon with the spectacular views from Evans Lookout.
Wet weather made the track wet, muddy and slippery in many places, especially where some of the steps were covered in mud. We wore good hiking boots and were pleased that we did. Some people only wore sneakers and they were soon soaked, covered in mud and slippery. Even in dry weather, good hiking boots would be a good idea, because of the extra grip and support they provide.
Descending through the rainforest, you pass eucalypts, and wonderful tree ferns. With the surrounding cliff and rock overhangs, it feels like something from a Harrison Ford Raiders of the Lost Ark Movie. Well maintained, the track is easy to follow without having to stop and decide which way to go. We had no difficulty finding our way. However if you need a map, one is available at the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre.
Stone Steps Leading DownOne of the Tree Ferns at the Start of the TrackWet and Slippery Steps on the TrackThe Muddy Track Passing Through FernsThe Track Passing under Boulders and CliffsSteppingstones on the Track Going Past Cliffs and Ferns
Centre Section
At around the mid-way point the track flattens slightly and you need to cross Greaves Creek several times. One crossing had its steppingstones submerged, but we crossed OK, due to our hiking boots. In this section, there are rocky overhangs with sandy floors where previous floods have eroded the cliffs.
This section of the track also contains two of its highlights. The first is a short tunnel. It’s not long, but can be dark inside, so just take your time.
The second is a waterfall, which was flowing nicely when we visited. Recent rain meant that the usual small trickle was a good flow. the track passes behind it, which is fun and worth the photos.
Steppingstones and Steps Cut into Rock on Greaves CreekEucalypts growing on a Cliff FaceThe Track Leading Through the CanyonSandy Floor of the Undercut CliffA Small Waterfall Over the Track. Hikers have to go Behind it.A Small Waterfall Over the Track. Hikers have to go Behind it.Steppingstones at the Cliff Base
Climbing out of the Valley
This section was the hardest and whichever way you decide to walk the track, you must climb around 1,000 steps to get out. We took our time, admiring the views and forest as we went. Finishing at Evans Lookout gives you a nice place to relax and enjoy a fantastic view over the mountains as a reward for your hard work.
The walk back to the car from Evans lookout to the carpark was a bit boring and I can see why some people might choose to do this section first ending at Neats Glen car park as it is a letdown after the scenery in the canyon. Nevertheless, we did get to see some Waratahs in bloom on the side of the track.
The cliffs showing the height to be climbed to finish the trackGreaves Creek at the Bottom of the CanyonStepping StonesOverhanging Cliff and Ferns at the Bottom of the TrackA view of the Escarpment Near the End of the TrackWaratah, The State Floral Emblem of New South Wales
What Did We Think?
This was a fantastic track, with a well deserved reputation as the best in the Blue Mountains. We enjoyed the challenge of the 1,000 steps while admiring the beautiful scenery and rainforest. Remember to wear good hiking boots, sunscreen, and bring plenty of water.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
