Discover Unlimited Beauty
Twitching or just generally sticky beaking?Wetlands around Yeppoon Capricorn Coast are beyond beautiful, filled with birds and teaming with wildlife.
Our wetlands are a great example of the variety of local wildlife that chooses to make the area home. They are great natural areas and their importance to the reef and their role in the health of the local waterways that feed into the Great Barrier Reef is the reason we all need to take care with these amazing areas. The wetlands filter the water that flows from the land to the ocean. So take care while you’re there!
Corio Bay Wetlands (Resort Wetlands)
Corio bay wetlands are Ramsar-listed and important for migratory bird species. Within this complex is Port Clinton lowlands, a series of freshwater and coastal wetlands. North of Yeppoon Capricorn Coast, surrounding the suburbs of Farnborough and Woodbury, Rydges Wetlands provide thousands of hectares of wetlands and rainforest are a breeding ground and home to native birds and wildlife. This incredible ecosystem of forests and marshes extends all the way to Corio Bay and up towards Byfield.
The wetlands can be accessed from several points along the Yeppoon-Byfield Road. Kelly’s Landing Road and Sandy Point Road through the back of the old Capricorn Resort provide access points. You can also follow the resort road down to the old homestead and enjoy the view from the water tower.
Check road conditions before heading off to explore the wetlands as in the dry conditions, the roads are accessible by 2WD but in the wet season the roads are very rough and in some places, tides and rainwater runoff can quickly cut roads, so 4WD’s are recommended.
Lake Mary Wetlands
Kinka Wetlands
There are a number of smaller coastal wetlands that are important along the coast. Kinka wetland is a good example of a small coastal wetland close to urban development between Yeppoon and Emu Park. The Kinka Wetlands Reserve is a magical place of diversity, providing sanctuary for shorebirds from the northern hemisphere during their annual migration. Brolgas perform their spectacular courting dance whilst barramundi swim through and fish runs to spawn. Frogs wallow in the shallow freshwater between sedges, salt-tolerant couch grass is abundant and tall reed beds filter sediment during flood times.
This pdf describing the rehabilitation of Kinka Swap is a fantastic example of what we can do to regenerate vital areas for environmental health.
Bicentennial Lagoon
Back in 2000, Bicentennial Park in Emu Park had degraded and denuded areas, including a salt scald. Capricorn Coast Landcare Group led a local revegetation project where students, families, groups and politicians got their hands dirty to plant 3,600 trees. The project inspired the formation of the Emu Park Community Bushcare Group, which has gone on to plant 8,000 plants in the area and rehabilitate the lagoon.
Thanks to good wet seasons, the lagoon is doing really well and providing good bird watching opportunities too. BBQ facilities beside make it a good spot for a family outing.
Lake Mary Wetlands
Green and lush wetlands around Mt Hedlow form the Lake Mary water reserve. Skirting Hedlow Creek, Lake Mary is a reserved primary for the use of watering stock. This is perfect for day trips where you can enjoy the beautiful flora and fauna of the lake as well as taking advantage of the creek for kayaking and swimming.
To get to the Lake Mary Wetlands head to our Lake Mary Whistle Stops page or Hedlow Creek page.