I was recently on holiday on the Eyre Peninsula, staying at Arno Bay. One of the biggest surprises of our week away was the time spent on the mangrove boardwalk at Arno Bay. We thought we'd have a quick look and spend a half an hour or so having a quick walk in and around the mangroves. We ended up staying several hours and had a thoroughly good time.
Arno Bay Mangrove Boardwalk (©paula mcmanus)
The boardwalk was constructed and is maintained by the volunteers in the Arno Bay Estuary Group who formed in 1996 with the idea to build the mangrove walk.
The first stage of the build was opened in 2004 after the group, supported by the Arno Bay Progress Association, won a Federal Government Coastcare grant of $17,533. More grants were applied for and won and the boardwalk became what it is today - a first-class tourist attraction that's also a bird watchers paradise. And, it's free for everyone to enjoy.
Arno Bay Mangrove Boardwalk (©paula mcmanus)
The wheelchair and pram friendly mangrove boardwalk stretches for 1.4kilometres and takes you from the sea's edge to the backwater mangrove tributaries and mudflats. There are 3 jetties and numerous fishing and viewing areas along the way. The whole area is a pristine waterway and it's incredibly fascinating to be able to view the waterways from above. We took our time and stopped often. And because we weren't rushed, we had time to watch the fish and marine life moving against the incoming tide.
Arno Bay Mangrove Boardwalk (©paula mcmanus)
In the creek system, there's an absolute abundance of fish including flathead, mullet, salmon trout, Australian herring, yellowfin and King George whiting, squid, garfish, snapper and mulloway. We spotted many different bird and lizard species too.
Arno Bay Mangrove Boardwalk (©paula mcmanus)
The boardwalk is an ideal spot for photography outings, family picnics, summer swimming and year-round fishing. There are places where you can leave the boardwalk for fishing and walking, but am not sure those paths are available every day, especially at high tide.
The Arno Bay Mangrove Boardwalk is a huge tourist drawcard for the town which has a population of just 273 people. The boardwalk has won some major environmental awards too - it was the winner of the Outstanding Environmental Tourism Project and also won the SA Great Science and Environment Award.
Arno Bay Mangrove Boardwalk (©paula mcmanus)
You can find the boardwalk at the end of Creek Road, just north of the Arno Bay Caravan Park. The entrance to the boardwalk has ample parking, a shade shelter with barbecues and public toilets.
Arno Bay Mangrove Boardwalk (©paula mcmanus)
