Mambo Walks & Talks – celebrating World Wetlands Day, February 2026
You’re invited to join our Interesting and informative Walks & Talks led by people passionate about our local environment and its protection.
Mambo-Wanda Wetlands Group and EcoNetwork Port Stephens is celebrating World Wetlands Day, not just on one day, but throughout the whole month of February 2026! Thank you Port Stephens Council for sponsoring the program. View these and more events on EcoNetwork’s community calendar
Come to one or more of the following walks and talks. Tours are free though places are limited. Tours are 1 hr and are followed by refreshments and chat if you would like to stay.
Bookings are essential. Email koalawetlands@hotmail.com or phone 0437 132 394 to secure your spot. Follow our Facebook page for announcements such as fully booked walks.
Safety
- Walkers should wear enclosed shoes, a long sleeved shirt, a hat and bring a water bottle.
- Please be aware that the walks are through bush terrain. Although bush tracks are quite good, they are not level and may have tree root or branch obstacles across the pathways.
Schedule of Walks & Talks
Saturday 7 February
9am Birding for beginners – Miranda Moore
Fully booked, more on 13 & 14 Feb
A fun exploration of the Mambo wetlands bird life including investigation of their behaviour and physical features. Suitable for primary school age children.
Meet at Boronia Park, 141a Port Stephens Drive, Salamander Bay.
11.30 am Mambo Wetland Bushwalk – off the track – John Simpson
Fully booked, waitlist only
John will take you through the nearby swamp schlerophyll forest, one of the
endangered ecological communities to be found in Mambo.
Meet at Tomaree Library carpark near the Mambo Wetlands sign
3pm Talk ~ Birds of Mambo’s Coastal Forest – Neil Fraser
Neil will talk about the most common avian species present in the coastal forest in the Mambo Wetland Reserve. He will discuss how habitat dictates the presence or absence of certain species, the long term population trends for some species and the factors driving change.
UPDATE: Neil Fraser’s Birds of Mambo’s Coastal Forest talk is now online here.
Venue – Waratah Room, Tomaree Library
Sunday 8 February
10am-1pm Launch of East Asian Australasian Flyway Art Competition
Come say Hello at our marquee. Great Kids activities and information about our
endangered shorebirds.
Apex Park, Nelson Bay
Friday 13 February
4:30 pm Birding for beginners – Chelsea Love
A fun exploration of the Mambo wetlands bird life including investigation of their behaviour and physical features. Suitable for primary school age children.
Meet at Boronia Park, 141a Port Stephens Drive, Salamander Bay.
Saturday 14 February
9am Birding for beginners – Miranda Moore
A fun exploration of the Mambo wetlands bird life including investigation of their behaviour and physical features. Suitable for primary school age children.
Meet at Boronia Park, 141a Port Stephens Drive, Salamander Bay.
Sunday 15 February
9am Explore Mambo’s diversity – John Simpson
From angophora forest to swamp forest and samphire beds, take a walk into the deepest parts of Mambo.
Meet at Boronia Park, 141a Port Stephens Drive, Salamander Bay
2pm Walk and talk about the Mambo shoreline – Iain Watt & Bob Creese
Fully booked, waitlist only
Mambo shoreline, the marine sanctuary zone, mangroves, ecosystems and the future restoration and management of these areas.
Meet at Boronia Park, 141a Port Stephens Drive, Salamander Bay
Sunday 22 February
9am Natures discoveries through the lens – Sue Johnson and Sue Olsson
Explore Mambo’s bush and discover the multitude of nature’s signs and sights when you look with different perspectives. Bring your phone, tablet or camera.
Meet in the Tomaree Library carpark near the Mambo Wetlands sign
1.30pm EcoNetwork Forum:
Communities creating change & defending the environment, Information and bookings here.
While the Forum is not a direct part of Mambo Walks & Talks program, this includes interesting talks on local and regional environmental issues for change.
Meet our guides and speakers
Miranda Moore, a keen bird watcher and part of the Hunter Bird Observers Club Education team.
John Simpson, local ecologist who has also conducted many walks and talks on the Tomaree Peninsula over the past 40+ years. An active bush regenerator and President National Parks Association (Hunter region).
Neil Fraser, a retired geologist who has a passion for studying and documenting avian activity in and around Port Stephens and a continuing interest in local geology. He has been actively monitoring avian species populations in Mambo-Wanda Wetlands Reserve, Worimi Conservation Lands at Stockton Beach, Swan Bay and Broughton Island for many years, and has published several related research articles. Neil has been a member of Hunter Bird Observers Club for over 20 years and is a joint-editor of the Club’s journal, The Whistler.
Neil is a regular guest speaker around Port Stephens and Newcastle on topics from birds to the local geology. Most recently, Neil published a book on the geology of the Broughton Island group, based on several years of research on the islands.
Chelsea Love is an environmental enthusiast working with Wetland & Ecological Treatment Systems and studying Conservation and Ecosystem Management. In her spare time, she enjoys helping out with the local Landcare group, connecting with others through bird watching and learning more about the ecosystems that support our local wildlife.
Iain Watt, Marine Ecologist/Biologist: 45+ years professional experience in coastal zone management, establishing Marine Protected Areas, community-based fisheries and conservation for international agencies, governments and NGOs. A trainer in Marine Conservation and Ecosystem Management and Habitat Restoration.
Bob Creese, Marine Ecologist: 45+ years professional experience in coastal ecology and marine management; 20+ years as a teacher and researcher, primarily at the University of Auckland, was followed by senior research and management roles at DPI Fisheries at Taylors Beach. Bob is an environmental advocate and active bush regenerator.
Sue Johnson, has a background in ecological restoration and wildlife rehabilitation, with a keen interest in photography.
Sue Olsson, nature enthusiast and educator, Vice President of EcoNetwork Port Stephens, and Coordinator of the National Parks Association’s local walking group, with many walks locally and regionally. Sue coordinates bush regeneration with the Friends of Tomaree National Park. An active environmental advocate and involved on several advisory boards and committees.
REMINDER – BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL for Mambo Walks & Talks.
To secure a spot, email koalawetlands@hotmail.com or phone 0437 132 394.
Mambo Walks & Talks is kindly sponsored by Port Stephens Council and supported by EcoNetwork Port Stephens.
