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Speaking about sustainable tourism in Australia, the Boondall Wetlands Reserve is seated 20km from Brisbane city, and it is easy to reach by public transport. It is possible to get to the environmental centre in half an hour by train from Central station ( plus 15 minutes walking from Boondall station).
These wetlands are part of many wetlands recognised by the Ramsar Convention as an internationally famous area for migrator birds.

I love to walk that’s why I choose to follow the circular walking track suggested by the visitor centre: the Billai Dhagun Walking Track. Cycling and canyoning let you probably discover more about the reserve but while walking it is possible to stop have a look at plants and animals, to seat on the ground and read the interesting guide that the environment/ visitor centre lends to the tourist.

Each visit is unique and different: that’s why I cannot guarantee what you will see. It might be different from what I have noticed! I can tell you, instead of how has been my experience!

Please be aware! Bring food and water. The environment centre does not have any food and beverage service.

A very helpful guide from the environment centre at the beginning of the walk has shown another tourist 2 Tawny Frogmouth (photo below) and me on the three. They looked like had been strategically placed in those spots to welcome; however, this was only the case because this is a natural reserve, not a zoo or animal sanctuary. It made the visit very much special!

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Tawny Frogmouth – seen at Boondal Wetlands

Just before the entrance of the reserve, I have discovered in a tiny pond where there were the typical Australian White Ibis and the less common White-faced heron.

Img: White faced heron Ibis

The small but handy book the environment centre lend to the visitors has been created from passionate volunteers, the same people that are still involved with the reserve, that is why there are few copies, and every single visitor has to take care very carefully of it. The guide book is divided into 17 sections, my experience has been through 15 of them, but it is worth it to follow the suggestion written on it.

Generally, the different session is not indicated with signs ( a part of a couple with totems quite hidden on the path) you need to to try to understand what the guide is talking about following the descriptions.

The Environment Centre is a typical Queenslander house seated there since 1996, able to host visitors and give them information. Around 15.000 visitors per year and full of wildlife around ( birds and reptile the most common ).

Following the walking path going south, it is immediately possible to feel you are getting closer to the sea, the first sign is the different species of plants.

To get more info, please see the website: http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/environment-waste/natural-environment/environment-centres/boondall-wetlands-environment-centre/index.htm

The brochure in pdf is available here: http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/downloads/environment_waste/natural_environment/boondall_wetlands_brochure.pdf

I am going to let my photo to guide you through the path, just to give you an idea about the reserve.

Australian magpie

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Uneucalyptus siderophore (grey ironbark)

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Kangaroo Totem

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Coast she-oak

Coast she- oak

The Path to Bird Hide

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Pelican from Bird Hide, Mangroves and Saltmarsh

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Pelican from Bird Hide, Mangroves and Saltmarsh

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seen near the Boardwalk

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