Mangroves Boardwalk Trail, Carnarvon Heritage Precinct Mangroves Boardwalk Trail, Carnarvon Heritage Precinct

Carnarvon’s shallow shores support a healthy mangrove community. The Gascoyne River has deposited large amounts of silt at its mouth. Over the last 20 to 30 years this has changed the shape and vegetation of the delta. The wetlands and mangroves you see are new habitats formed by siltation of the river mouth.

Only one mangrove species – Avicennia marina, the white (or grey) mangrove is found in Carnarvon and areas south. The mangroves, known as mangals, are rich in terrestrial life including insects, birds, and bats, as well as supporting marine life such as crabs, prawns, fish, and marine snails. 

The coastline from Carnarvon south to Gladstone Bay is lined with dense mangrove forest. Mangroves play an important role in the functioning of our marine ecosystem. Fish, prawns, and crabs, come to mangroves to spawn, then leave their young to grow in relative safety among the mangrove roots.

The structure is made of a 100% recycled wood plastic composite and has been constructed by Durack Institute of Technology, Carnarvon Campus students.