Get up close to creek critters at Waterways Festival

Get up close and personal to turtles and crayfish and see how these fantastic critters eat, breed and interact at Council’s Waterways Festival at Wentworth Falls Lake, on Sunday 25 August. 

Blue Mountains City Council is holding the free, family friendly day to highlight some of the fantastic species that inhabit our waterways.

“This is a great event for families looking to get out of the house and do something fun and interesting on a Sunday,” Mayor, Cr Mark Greenhill, said. “The Waterways Festival will be packed full of fun and interesting activities, from water bug workshops and swamp safaris, to arts and craft activities, walks and talks. And it’s free!

“Not only will you have a great family morning out, your family will have the opportunity to learn as they join in the activities and discover more about what makes our Blue Mountains waterways so special.”

Council has partnered with Blue Mountains Grammar School, Kindle Hill School, Youth Council and Bushcare volunteers to showcase the best of Wentworth Falls Lake and surrounds. 

Activities include workshops with two of Australia’s leading experts, Dr Ian Baird (Giant Dragonfly workshop) and Dr Rob McCormack (Crayfish workshop).  Discover all about the Giant Dragonfly, a survivor from the Jurassic Period, learn all about the mysterious ways of local crayfish, plus create your own weaving work of art using natural materials from around the lake.  

Other activities include:

Turtles workshop with senior students from Western Sydney University PlantQuest walk with Nathan Summers from Blue Mountains Bushcare Swamp Safari with freshwater ecologist, Nakia Belmer SQIDS with Ed Bayliss Hack, Blue Mountains Bushcare Stalls by Kindle Hill & Blue Mountains Grammar Schools Weaving workshop Eco Gardening workshop Waterbug display Quiz and prizes

You can also find out about the incredible plant life around the lake and the wildlife it supports, including swamp wallabies, honeyeaters and even microscopic stygofauna. 

If all this makes you hungry, you can enjoy a Rotary BBQ (with vegetarian options) plus on-site coffee cart, while enjoying a performance choreographed by the Wagana Aboriginal Dancers.

The Waterways Festival will be held at Wentworth Falls Lake on Sunday, 25 August, 10am-2pm. Numbers for some of the walks and talks are limited, so bookings are recommended. To book, go to: waterwaysfestival2019.eventbrite.com.au 

To find out more about the health of Wentworth Falls Lake and other local waterways, plus information about Council’s water monitoring program, go to bmcc.nsw.gov.au/waterquality

Photo: Get up close and personal with local crayfish and leading crayfish expert, Dr Rob McCormack at the Waterways Festival. Credit: Dr Rob McCormack