The Valley of the Mist just outside Macksville is part of an estuarine wetland of over 77 hectares, correctly known as the 100 acre swamp.
An assessment of this rare environment was undertaken in 2003 by Dr Stuart Blanch against RAMSAR criteria which describes the site of the wetlands, their ecological character, flora and fauna and future sustainable utilisation.
The lands in the 100 acre swamp area is within the Gumbaynggirr Aboriginal Peoples’ traditional tribal boundary. The Aboriginal Communities of the Nambucca Valley and surrounding areas continue to maintain a strong connection, use and respect for culture and heritage. Aboriginal cultural heritage is dynamic and diverse, and the culture remains alive through the individuals, their parents, their grandparents, their families and the community generally. The knowledge is passed down from our ancestors and eiders through their knowledge, learning and awareness of Aboriginal cultural heritage from the past through to today. Aboriginal cultural heritage exists in the landscape, the plants and the animals and our general natural environment. The natural resource s are an important part of the Gumbaynggirr Aboriginal Peoples every-day lives, and continue to be used to keep their culture and them alive today. The Gumbaynggirr Aboriginal Elders visited the 100 Acre Swamp to discuss and review the significance and importance of their culture and heritage that remains in the area. The Elders appreciated and took pleasure in the fact that the area is still within its natural condition. They support the Ramsar Convention submission to preserve and appreciate the 100 Acre Swamp for future generations The Aboriginal Elders discussed and identified the area as an area known to hold significant and unique cultural heritage for the local Aboriginal People. All Elders agreed that as the area is of high cultural value as a wetland, and their spiritual beliefs and connections to the water is important as the provider and giver of life to all along with the mother earth. The water resource provides a variety of foods both in the water and on the water such as the birds and animals, required for their spiritual and physical nourishment.
Many of the birds and animals such as the bush turkey, the snakes, the wallabies and kangaroos and many of the others that access the natural resources are used by the Aboriginal People for food, clothing and other sections of Aboriginal culture. The animals are also an. integral part that represent a family kinship or tribes’ cultural totem, however the animal cannot be eaten by the family or tribe due to its immense importance under the Aboriginal lore. In the wetlands and surrounding area the Elders identified several Aboriginal camp sites of the past Peoples that lived and travelled the area that is rich is food and cultural resources. Many of the resources in the area are also used in Aboriginal ceremonies by both the Aboriginal men and women. The area consists of tea-trees and many other trees that once again are used for medicinal and cultural purposes by the Gumbayngginr Aboriginal People of the area.
Cache is a black bison tube near the sign.