Have fun while you learn!

The primary focus of this trail is on the amazing biodiversity of this region while among the 34 sites identified we have also included some relating to Indigenous and early European cultural heritage, aviation history and art as well.

The area covered by this trail is from Lake Burrendong near Wellington, following the Macquarie River for close to 500 kilometres, through Dubbo, Narromine and Warren to the World famous wetlands of the Macquarie Marshes.

Apart from showcasing the biodiversity of the region an additional aim of this trail was to help those planning school excursions or family holidays where there is a desire to learn about the species and ecosystems that make the central west of NSW so special.

Among the sites described there are several that specialise in education such as the Wambangalang Environmental Education Centre, Taronga Western Plains Zoo and RiverSmart’s outdoor and floating classroom, plus the Window on the Wetlands Centre in Warren. There are also a number of sites that offer interpretive signage and/or on-site teachers to help with school excursions especially. Added to these are many sites with do-it-yourself education opportunities; some with interpretive signage and others not.

We’ve included in this trail references to several sites from our Bird Watching Trail, and it is recommended that you also get hold of a copy of that guide to compliment this one. It, and the Fishing Trail guide, both contain information about the threatened birds and native fish (respectively) of this region.

This project was made possible through the financial support provided by The Norman Wettenhall Foundation. Assistance with identifying sites and gathering information was provided by Kerry Palmer of Central West Local Land Services.