An estimated 300 people from as far afield as Sydney and the Central Coast ignored the 38 degree forecast and gathered in the Macquarie Marshes last Saturday 21 October to witness the official opening of the Burrima Boardwalk.

Situated 49 kilometres from Carinda and 128 kilometres from Warren, ‘Burrima’ is a 257 hectare privately owned property near the edge of the Northern Nature Reserve. The property is managed by the Macquarie Wetlands Association which oversaw the planning, funding and construction of a two-kilometre elevated walkway in 2020.

Saturday’s event was the official opening of a structure and facility that is now firmly embedded in the region’s tourism network and also an acknowledgment of all who played a part in its inception and development.

On arrival visitors were greeted by members of the Association and Warren Shire Council staff, and offered morning tea catered by Carinda Far West Store; as a generator quietly whirred away providing power for a bank of urns.

With smoko over, crowd members donned insect spray and sunscreen and gathered for the official proceedings in front of the entrance to the walkway, adorned for the occasion with a large green bow.

Warren Mayor Milton Quigley welcomed the crowd and delivered an Acknowledgment of Country before introducing Tony Wass, president of MWA.

PHOTO: Helicopter rides above the marshes were a big hit.

“We’d like to thank the state government, which contributed over $2 million towards the boardwalk,” said Mr Wass. “We also need to acknowledge the state government for its almost half million dollar contribution to the sealing of the road and making this an all-weather access, it makes such a difference as many of our visitors are not used to dirt roads!”

“We also wish to mention the people from Council who actually did the work, they were very accommodating and I thank the unit holders who backed the management committee with support, cash and in-kind help.

“Also the state government, through Warren Shire Council, has made a large contribution towards today’s costs.”

“We need to thank Ken Hilder and Tim Wheelhouse from Trangie and Narromine respectively who actually built the boardwalk, it was done under difficult circumstances. Those men and their staff worked up to their waists in water to put the concrete panels on top of the concrete piers, and Jack Yeomans from Walgett drove a concrete truck back and forth to Burrima twice a day, a round trip of 700kms.”

“Finally thank you to our Burrima neighbours, the unit holders and our friends up and down the valley who helped with equipment and enthusiasm.”

PHOTO: A spectacular view of the Burrima Boardwalk.

Deputy Director at Far West NSW Department of Regional Development Gerry Collins was next to the microphone and she spoke of the boardwalk being a part of something bigger.

“The Burrima Boardwalk is part of a larger project designed to bring visitors to this part of the world and understand the beauty of the region. This includes development of the Window on the Wetlands in Warren and interpretive signing around the region.”

The final words and actual ribbon cutting was left to Member for Barwon Roy Butler, “It’s amazing to see so many here, it shows how important this is to the people of the region, not just the environmental aspect to have the ability to walk into the marshes and look at the wildlife, but also to gather together in what is such a unique area.”

“Congratulations to the Macquarie Wetlands Association for seeing this project through and I declare the Burrima Boardwalk officially open!”

With that, the ribbon was snipped, photographs were taken and the crowd dispersed to walk along the newly opened facility. MWA members and others with knowledge of the area wore high-vis vests so visitors were able to ask questions or seek information along the route.

Visitors to Burrima Boardwalk took the opportunity of a flight with Northwest Helicopters to get a birds eye view of the Macquarie Marshes. PHOTO: Maddison Pawley

For those looking for a different perspective, there was the option of flying above the marshes with Northwest Helicopters. Pilot and operator Bryce Guest was on hand to take groups of three passengers for 20 minute flights and was solidly booked all day.

“I was so thrilled to have the opportunity to fly over the Macquarie Marshes,” said passenger Jenny Irving following her flight. “To be able to see this beautiful ecosystem from above and get an understanding of its size and diversity of flora and fauna was an amazing experience.”

PHOTO: Visitors came from across the state. Pete Ricardo, Annie O’Brien, Kâren Ricardo and Jane O’Brien travelled from Walgett to attend the opening.

As lunchtime approached Kellie Turnbull and her band of helpers from Marra Creek Public School fired up two barbecues and provided “the most delicious” sausage sandwiches according to Beth Boshier who had travelled from the Central Coast for the occasion. “The food was great and there was so much of it! I was also relieved to see there was plenty of fruit and water provided, it did start to get very hot!”

So the Burrima Boardwalk is now officially open. The next time you’d like a day out or have visitors that you’re not sure what to do with, why not head out for a visit?

Macquarie Wetland Association Inc. and Warren Shire Council acknowledge the funding provided by the NSW Government including the Regional Growth - Environment and Tourism Fund for the funding of the boardwalk, Department of Regional NSW for all weather road construction and Department of Regional NSW for the opening event.