A ‘swamp’ transformed into a tourist attraction

For years, the residents of the small fishing resort of Arno Bay just enjoyed a swim and a fish in the local estuary without realising how special it was.

But when the Arno Bay community began to look for ways to boost its local economy and attract tourism to the area, it started to appreciate the estuary.

"We were fortunate enough to have one resident point out to us what a valuable asset the Arno Bay estuary was, when we thought it was just a bit of a swamp," Arno Bay Estuary Group committee member Tony Zwar said.

"But we realised that if we were going to promote it as an ecotourism destination, we also needed to protect it and educate the community about this unique coastal ecosystem."

Funding

In 2004 the Australian Government provided the Arno Bay Estuary Group, through the Arno Bay Progress Association, with more than $4000 to help build a boardwalk and pathway that would protect and promote this fragile environment.

Substantial support also came from the Eyre Peninsula Natural Resource Management Board, the South Australian Department of Environment and Heritage's Coastal Protection Board, the District Council of Cleve, the Flinders Region Area Consultative Committee, the Arno Bay Hotel Social Club, Tourism SA, local businesses, and individuals.

Activities

Tony said an environmental report had found the estuary was in pristine condition and was home to the threatened plant, Bead Glasswort.

"Putting in a boardwalk and gravel paths was the obvious way to protect and promote this beautiful area," Tony said.

"The community really got behind this project, and the response has been huge, with volunteers putting in close to 3,000 hours of work."

Achievements

With the 700-metre boardwalk nearly completed - including shelters, viewing platforms, information bay, bridge and bird hide - as well as 500 metres of gravel pathways established, visitors are now able walkthrough this sensitive coastal estuarine community.

"The walk winds through dense mangroves, mudflats, samphire, grass habitats, dunes and small tributaries," Tony said.

"People can enjoy seeing fish species, water birds, and plant species, which are unique to our coastal ecosystems.

"Several groups of students from local schools have been using the facility as part of their environmental studies, and it has really helped the economy of the town."

More information

• Tony Zwar, Authorised Officer - Eyre Peninsula Natural Resource Management Board: (08) 8628 2077 or tonyzwar@eyreonline.com or
• Jeanie Quilliam, Eyre Peninsula Regional Natural Resources Management Liaison Officer: (08) 8688 3413 or quilliam.jeanie@saugov.sa.gov.au

Australian Government NRM Team
GPO Box 787
Canberra ACT 2601 Australia
1800 552 008 (toll-free)

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Caring for our Country is an Australian Government initiative jointly administered by the Australian Government departments of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts