The 2022 Coochiemudlo Mangrove Festival
Saturday 16th July
'Mangrove Life' Rob Walker
Last year's Festival got off to a flying start with nearly 200 visitors and locals setting out for the mangroves on a sunny July morning. At 10am, without warning, we were told a Covid outbreak had worsened overnight and Queenslanders were to return to their homes asap. Many of our visitors were still waiting to catch the ferry to the island.
Well, we're back in business! And we extend a sincere welcome to you to come and enjoy the attractions we've created for the Coochiemudlo Mangrove Festival 2022.
You can make your Festival booking and pay by card at the bottom of the page. Check out the mangrove boat tours on your way through - book and pay below as well.
Mangrove Walks
The walks in our mangrove forest are at the heart of our Festival. There are two on offer, and you can do them both in about an hour. This year the route maps are on mobile-friendly webpages. As well as photos and text, there are audio clips so you can spend more time looking at the mangroves as you listen to their story.
Mangroves Afloat
On the midday tide, our two pontoon boats will take visitors around the western edge of the island's mangrove forest. This is a great chance to get to know the pioneering mangrove species that stand out in deeper water and protect shorelines around the world from the increasing threats of wilder weather and rising sea levels.
The boats leave at 11am, 12 midday, and 1pm. There are twenty seats for each sailing, so book as soon as possible. The payment portal is at the bottom of the page. Try a different time if your first choice is sold out.
Mangrove Art
'Sunrise through the mangroves' Merrett Keech
Our island has more than its share of talented artists. Two galleries will be open all day, plus an artisan's market at the excellent Curlew Cafe on Main Beach. There will also be an exhibition featuring the Coochiemudlo herbarium in wonderful images created from island flora collected years ago by local bushcarers.
Mangrove Music
Barbara Jeffrey and José Garcia are 'Tidal Moon' - makers of evocative music that's like "acoustic ripples upon a sea of imagination". They are widely travelled performers who now call Coochiemudlo home, to the delight of their island audience. Also in our 2022 music mix are the Redland City Ukes, polished players and singers of covers past and present. Expect great harmonies, pro vocals and the urge to singalong.
Mangrove Champions
Aerial image courtesy of Tempus Media - Wynnum
Citizen scientists of Coastcare, based on the Southern Moreton Bay Islands, closely monitor mangrove health in the bay. They'll be bringing their drone to the Festival to show how technology makes data collection easier and results more accurate.
We're also thrilled to welcome Dr. Norm Duke and local marine experts to join us for a mangrove Q&A, where you can learn so much about these unique trees.
Quandamooka woman Elisha Kissick is coming over from Minjerribah to tell and show stories of indigenous food gathering and cuisine throughout the day.
Mangrove Photography
The Heritage Society, with the Redlands Camera Club, is running a photo competition to celebrate the 2022 Festival and the beauty of our wetlands and unique little island.
There are great prizes of holiday breaks at selected BnB's on Coochiemudlo, and Officeworks vouchers for under-17 entrants. Three expert judges from the Club will decide the winners across three subject categories.
Get out your camera and make a start as soon as you like. You don't need a Festival booking to enter the photo competition. But do check out the rules, entry fees and prizes on the competition page.
