Only opened in late 2022, the new 230m long Swansea Boardwalk is a great way to experience Lake Macquarie and the mangrove forest. Located near Swansea New South Wales it is easily accessible with a newly upgraded carpark. Access onto the boardwalk is wheelchair friendly, with the boardwalk being flat its entire length.
The Boardwalk
At only 230m, this is a very short walk, however the views are amazing. Being able to walk through the mangroves and not getting you feet wet and muddy is great. You are able to see into mud flats at low tide and see into the forest.
As you walk the views over the lake are great. At the end of the walk, you can see over the Lake to Wangi Wangi and the old decommissioned power station. A small dirt track continues from this point along the Swansea Channel for those who want to extend their walk.
The Boardwalk passing through mangrovesView across Lake Macquarie from the boardwalkMangroves near the boardwalkMangroves and Lake Macquarie from the boardwalkWangi Power Station Across Lake MacquarieWangi Power Station Across Lake MacquarieShore of Lake MacquarieShore of Lake MacquarieEnd of the boardwalkContinuation of the track along the shore of Lake Macquarie
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
Taking you through the rainforest canopy, the Sea Acres Rainforest Boardwalk is a 1.3km loop that starts and ends at the Sea Acres Rainforest Centre. Unfortunately, when we visited (December 2022), maintenance on the boardwalk cut the loop because of storm damage. This was not too much of a problem because we retraced our steps and walked the second half from the Rainforest Centre. So, we got twice the walk for the same price.
How to Get There
Located only ten-minutes’ drive from the centre of Port Macquarie on the NSW mid-north coast, Sea Acres Rainforest Boardwalk is easy to get to. Well sign posted and with a large carpark, it’s easy to find and access. If you need a drink or something to eat, there is a café at the Visitor Centre with indoor and outdoor seating.
The staff are very helpful explaining the walk as well as what we should see along the way.
The Boardwalk
Rated a Grade 1 track, the boardwalk is flat and wheelchair accessible for its entire length. With numerous stops and information boards, it’s an easy and educational walk. At around 7m off the ground, we could see into the canopy while still seeing the understory.
Keeping you out of the mud and fallen leaves is a bonus if you don’t have hiking boots, while you still get to experience the rainforest. The information boards also provide a guide to the different trees and their role in the forest.
What Did We Think?
This was a quick and very easy walk. A great way to fill in an hour. At the end we visited the café to relax and grab a snack while admiring the rainforest. It would be great for families with kids because it means you’re not walking them through the undergrowth. For people with mobility issues, it is excellent as it’s flat and accessible.
The boardwalkPalm treesStrangler Fig climbing a treePalm trees
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
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
