Macquarie Marshes Sound Walk
20-21 May 2022
THIS EVENT IS BEING HELD ON WAYILWAN COUNTRY. WE PAY OUR RESPECTS TO THE ORIGINAL CUSTODIANS OF THE LANDS UPON WHICH WE WORK AND LIVE.
Immerse yourself in the sounds of the wetland with a guided sound walk of the internationally important Macquarie Marshes/ Maliyanga ngurra.
This sound walk is a rare opportunity to visit and learn about the Macquarie Marshes wetland and floodplain, in central North-West NSW, which has been the site of the three-year international MOSSES AND MARSHES project, co-led by Kim V. Goldsmith (AU) and Andrew Howe (UK).
Kim V. Goldsmith is an environmental artist and founder of ecoPULSE. She’s based in the Central West of NSW, and grew up on a large working farm 100km east of the Macquarie Marshes. It’s a landscape she has returned to many times in different capacities. As part of her work on MOSSES AND MARSHES she’s studied the landscape, the history, and the connections people have with the wetland and its surrounding floodplain. She’s made multiple visits to the site since early 2020 to collect sounds and video of some of the hidden elements of the Marshes, using a range of sound recording and video equipment — from hydrophones and acoustic monitoring recorders, to drones, underwater and field trap cameras.
Bookings close 5pm, 29 April
$110pp includes exhibition tour/talk in Coonamble on Friday 20 May, access to Burrima, guided sound walk (and use of equipment), and picnic lunch on Saturday 21 May. $88pp for Saturday activities at Burrima only. Places limited. Please read terms and conditions before booking.
Friday, 20 May: Coonamble
2pm: Private tour and artist talk with Kim V. Goldsmith and curator Jamie-Lea Trindall, MOSSES AND MARSHES exhibition at Outback Arts, 26 Castlereagh St, Coonamble
4pm: Fuel up, buy provisions (water, snacks for Saturday), book into accommodation for the night
6pm: Dinner at Terminus Hotel (a booking will be made), 25/27 Railway St, Coonamble – MENU & ACCOMMODATION INFO
WHERE TO STAY IN COONAMBLE
Note: The Terminus Hotel has accommodation—where we’re having dinner and leaving from on Saturday morning. The Castlereagh Hotel is just around the corner from the Terminus (opposite the Bowling Club), and the caravan park on the eastern side of the Castlereagh River has very comfortable cabins but is on the other side of town from the Terminus. Please don’t leave your accommodation booking to the last minute.
Saturday, 21 May: Burrima*
Maliyanga ngurra**/Macquarie Marshes
7.30am sharp: Leave Coonamble from Terminus Hotel, head to Carinda
9.15am: Brief stop at Bells Bridge on the western side of Carinda to see Wambuul/Macquarie River flowing north (this is to the north of the North Marsh).
10am: Arrive at the front gate of Burrima (wait for everyone to arrive), welcome and refreshments (bring a snack and drinks, and a camp chair could be useful)
10.45am: A guided sound walk around the Burrima Boardwalk, led by Kim V. Goldsmith. She’ll talk about ‘ear cleaning’ to listen more closely to the environment, use some of her specialist microphones to listen in to ‘hidden’ sounds, and talk about how she works as an artist in these landscapes. Locals who know the Marshes well will be available on the day to talk more about the wetland and its history.
12.15pm: Picnic lunch (provided) and ’roundtable’ chat about the wetlands
1.00pm: Time to explore by yourself, sketching, photographing, recording, talking, thinking…
2pm: Leave Burrima for a brief stop at the Monkeygar Creek crossing on Gibson’s Way to see the birdlife on the lagoons near Willancorah. You’ll also cross the Wambuul/Macquarie River on this road where it runs between the South and North Marsh.
4-4.15pm: Drive to Warren on Carinda Road. Arrive at the Window on the Wetlands Centre. Explore the grounds to read the information boards or wander over to the Tiger Bay Wetlands.
5pm: Head to Dubbo or to your accommodation in Warren if staying overnight.
*Burrima (meaning ‘black swan’ in Wayilwan) is a 257ha private property on the western edge of the Northern Nature Reserve, managed by the Macquarie Wetlands Association with the aim of restoring and conserving wetland and floodplain habitat. It’s made accessible to the public via registration. A 2km concrete boardwalk meanders through River Red Gum forest, mixed marsh and dense reeds, providing an immersive experience of the wetland. An observation tower on the eastern edge of the property allows you to gaze across the Northern Marsh reed beds, part of the largest reed bed in southern Australia.
** Maliyanga ngurra is the Wayilwan name for the Macquarie Marshes, meaning Eagle’s Camp or Morning Star’s Camp
Terms and conditions
- Transport suitable for driving on rural/remote roads. This doesn’t mean a 4WD with a bullbar, but your car needs to be roadworthy, fueled up, and you should carry a first aid kit, adequate water, a blanket, tarp, and toilet paper. Please check your spare tyre is in good order, and wet wipes are always handy.
- Participants are personally responsible for arriving and departing venues at specified times and in a safe manner. All care is being taken to ensure the field trip is safe and uneventful for everyone. However, by booking your ticket, you are participating in this event at your own risk.
- Please note the BE PREPARED checklist for Burrima. It is a comprehensive guide to visiting the property. A link to this page will also be provided in the checklist given to you before your trip.
- Burrima is a private property and you’re expected to conduct yourself appropriately and follow directives on the site, including signing in as required.
- This event will be run as a COVID safe event. You will be asked to follow public health orders of the day. Hand sanitiser and alcohol wipes for shared equipment will be in use on the day.
- Please dress appropriately for the field trip – this includes sun safe clothing, a hat, long pants, sturdy footwear (preferably not open toes), and a jacket.
- In the event you wish to cancel your booking after the 29 April and before 13 May, you will recieve a 50% refund. Any cancellations after 13 May (a week prior to the event) won’t be refunded due to commitments made to the event (eg. catering, equipment hire). Cancellations due to COVID-related illness will be considered on request. The Eventbrite site indicates refunds will be considered on a case by case basis.
- Should the event be cancelled by the organiser due to injury, illness (including COVID), or poor weather conditions that may impact access, a full refund will be issued.
- If you’re joining us in Coonamble on the Friday, you are responsible for booking your accommodation and paying for your dinner. A group reservation will be made for dinner when numbers are known. You will be asked if you plan to attend the pub dinner in the ticket booking. Any dietary restrictions or requirements will be noted in ticket bookings as well.
- The ticket fee covers car entry to Burrima on Saturday, 21 May, the use of shared equipment for the sound talk i.e. headphones, audio recorders etc., and a picnic lunch at Burrima. Snacks and additional drinks on Saturday, 21 May must be provided by participants.
- If you would like to stay in Warren overnight on Saturday, 21 May, you are responsible for booking your accommodation.
This event has been subsidised by the NSW Government through Create NSW. It is also supported by Outback Arts, Macquarie Wetlands Association (Burrima Boardwalk) and RiverSmart (Window on the Wetlands Centre).
