An interactive audio walking tour map is helping people discover the ecosystems and wildlife in a 52 hectare nature park in the heart of Port Macquarie.
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If you want to learn about Kooloonbung Creek Nature Park's mangroves, casuarina swamp forest, sandpaper figs, the flying fox colony or subtropical rainforest, for example, the audio walking tour has it covered.
The Kooloonbung Creek Nature Park audio tour with interactive map, available through the IZI Travel app, also pays tribute to conservationists, like Cath Le Page and Royal Pullen, who fought for years to save the natural environment from development.
The nature park features seven ecosystems across 52 hectares of bushland and is home to at least 160 bird species.
Friends of Kooloonbung Creek Nature Park coordinator Rex Moir said the interactive tour map gave visitors instant access to information about the park.
He said once you stepped into the bushland, you were in a different environment, and it was cooler in the shade of the trees on a hot day.
Volunteer Gordon Robison said people had different reasons for visiting the area.
He said the audio tour allowed people to have the experience they wanted.
"Rather than learn about ecology from a book, they can observe it in the park," Mr Robison said.
Kooloonbung Creek Nature Park was developed to preserve the area of bushland in the heart of Port Macquarie.
More than four kilometres of walking tracks provide easy access.
Krissa Wilkinson drew on her research and language skills and Michael Eddie harnessed his scientific and technical knowledge to develop the interactive map.
Mr Eddie said he had received good feedback from people who had completed the audio walking tour.
He said a lot of people didn't realise the extent of the nature park.
Ms Wilkinson likened going into the park as being in a bit of nature's wonderland.
"If people are curious, they can learn about the habitats, about the wildlife and it really enriches the experience," she said.
The audio tour is narrated by Rachel Jacket.
The Kooloonbung Creek Nature Park and Walking Trails brochure is available at the Cath Le Page Arboretum and the information board at the Gordon Street entrance.
Simply scan the QR code in the brochure or download the IZI Travel app to access the audio tour.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council is promoting the interactive tour map to help people explore the park and learn about the natural environment.
Kooloonbung Creek Nature Park is managed in partnership with the council and Friends of Kooloonbung Creek Nature Park.
Friends of Kooloonbung Creek Nature Park volunteers gather for regular working bees.
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