Birds and Bridges at the Nepean River

This course is for learners who are hands-on. This is a train-friendly Grade 2 walk of 4 hours. Bring your binoculars for the walk from Emu Plains station to the river and along the Riverwalk. Floods bring all sorts of changes to the river including nutrients. Bird life is flourishing and the bridges have survived. How high have the many floods reached? The bridges can tell that story. We'll walk both sides of 1788. The view and uses of the river were widely different. Meet at Emu Plains station, platform 2 (shops side) 10 minutes before the tour starts so it can commence on time. Please check Transport for NSW's website for directions on how to get to Emu Plains.

This walk will go ahead whatever the weather, except where the guide deems there to be a threat to health and safety. In this situation you will be contacted with an alternative date. Please ensure your mobile phone number is up-to-date with WEA before enrolling and ensure that you have it with you on the day in case the tutor needs to contact you.

SUGGESTED READING

• Karskens, G. (2020), People of the River: Lost worlds of early Australia, Allen & Unwin. ISBN 9781760292232
•  Ryan, J.T. (1894), Reminiscences of Australia: containing 70 years of his own knowledge and 35 years of his ancestors, George Robertson and Co. ISBN 0959376402
•  Flanner, T. ed. (1997) Watkin Tench, 1788 Comprising A Narrative of the Expedition to Botany Bay and A Complete Account of the Settlement at Port Jackson. ISBN 875847278

COURSE OUTLINE

The River walk enables people to walk right beside the river, with remnant native vegetation, water birds, flood level indicators, historic bridges and a new footbridge. Reasonable fitness required as you must be able to walk 8 kms over 4 hours (Grade 2 Walk / National Parks Association NSW), along well-maintained tracks, parkland, street, road, some stairs, bridges. You will need the following walking gear:

• Walking shoes
• Sunhat, sunscreen
• Backpack with 2 litres water, morning tea and lunch
• Clothing as befits the weather.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Identify birds in their habitat
2. Understand the history of bridge-crossing and bridge-building on the Nepean: engineering challenges
3. Identify resources for both pre-1788 (Dharug) and post-1788 (settler) life
4. Learn one word of Dharug language
5. Support a healthy lifestyle by walking