Arafura Swamp, Protected wetland in Arnhem Land, Australia
The Arafura Swamp is an expansive protected wetland in Arnhem Land containing thousands of shallow lakes, freshwater lagoons, and paperbark forests. During the wet season it grows substantially, creating one of the region's most diverse habitats.
The wetland has been managed by Yolngu and Bi peoples for countless generations before gaining formal protection status. Their traditional land management practices continue to shape how the area is cared for today.
The Yolngu and Bi peoples hold deep connections to this wetland that shape how they interact with the land every day. Visitors can sense this relationship by observing how the landscape is cared for and how it functions as part of their world.
Access requires advance planning as the area is remote and reachable mainly through guided tours arranged locally. Visitors should prepare for hot, humid conditions and follow guidance from Aboriginal rangers managing the land.
The area supports an enormous variety of bird species and serves as a critical breeding ground for magpie geese and crocodiles. This concentration of wildlife makes it globally significant for the survival of rare animal populations.
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