On a cold, grey Winter’s day we decided to explore the nearby wetlands trail, having watched it grow from the start and hearing good things about it. One of the first large constructed wetlands in Australia, it provides flood protection by diverting storm water from Dry Creek.
We had to go to the Watershed Cafe for a fob to open the gates and it included a map. The notice said that it was a 30 minute return walk and, after smelling the fresh coffee in the warm cafe, I thought we could do it in 20.
The paths are in good condition and we only had one ‘offshoot’ trail that had an overgrown tree under which we had to crouch. The markers on the map, showing information boards, are an added feature to help with following it.
The information boards themselves have great information about flora and fauna that we didn’t know and found very interesting – did you know that a frog will push its eyes down to help stuff food into the belly? Haven’t we all seen at least one child look like that’s what they were doing?
Generally, the view was of reeds, shrubs and water.
There is a variety of birdlife and a magnificent birdwatch has been constructed to spy without changing the behaviour.
Most if the vegetation is native, including the grevillea ground cover.
On this day, we heard lots of wrens, saw a brief flash of blue and spied some bush-hopping, but the little critters were fast and shy, although that’s not always the case. There were plenty of pied cormorants, water hens and a variety of other water birds.
Frogs croaked endlessly but they became a background hum, slightly more consistent and louder than the highway traffic, which was significantly reduced by the reeds.
There is evidence of algae in some water catchments and elsewhere.
The reeds are actually bulrushes and their sausage flowers were on display. These plants create a significant filter for the storm water that’s collected in this region, creating the wetlands where once was swamp. Adelaide receives less than 600mm of rain a year, so the natural filtering system allows the water to be re-used, on local ovals and parks.
We took about 45 minutes and would have been longer if there was more wildlife, but happily headed for the cafe to reclaim my driver’s license and get morning tea.
If you live in Adelaide, or plan to visit, put this little walk on your list.
Underdown 
Love your photos. I like the leading lines of the wooden walkway
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Thanks, Teresa. I’m glad you liked them, and I’m rather fond of lines, myself.
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❤️
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It’s so well designed! I’m sure I would have taken a coffee with me to the hide. Beautiful photos you’ve taken
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Thank you so much. Yeah, taking the coffee away would certainly be a good option and I’ll remember it for Spring.
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What a lovely cool morning treat and a nice surprise! It’s scorching here, literally! Thanks for all the great information and I look forward to strolling with you again.
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I’ve been hearing about the temperatures in the northern hemisphere. A snap of heat is one thing, but it can be exhausting when prolonged. I hope you get some early morning and evening walks in, when its cooler.
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I’ve just opened the windows on the patio doors, Karen, and it’s wonderful to have that early morning breeze.
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I’m sitting in front of my heater, but I can easily imagine it. Sounds wonderful.
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🤗💗
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It is definitely on my list 😀 😀 You got some real cool and fun photos 😀
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Thanks, Cee. I’m glad you liked them.
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Loved them. We have a more impoverished version here in NSW, Maroubra, some of the images could just as well be from here. Ours is in the Botany Bay National Park.
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Ohh, next time we’re in Botany Bay we’ll have to go there. I would have expected it to be more lush, given your higher rainfall.
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There is Botany Bay National Park which begins in Jennifer Street Little Bay.
There is also an environmental park with wetlands closer to us. I’ll send a map.
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Thank you so much, I’d appreciate that, as we may head that way in October. We’ll keep an eye on the rain.
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Higher rainfall, our poor flowers have washed out leaves. We have had almost two weeks of solid rain and neighbours still haven’t recovered from the Lismore Floods which also impacted us and flooded garages, they are still pumping water out. They were built just above the water table which has now risen.
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That’s awful. We have watched the news and commentary on the floods, but didn’t realise how far it has spread its affects.
I do hope the rains stop soon and that authorities get on with the business of finding a lasting solution.
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This looks like a great place for a walk, and as I love trying my hand at bird photography I suspect I would take even longer than you – although the smell of good coffee is always hard to resist 😆
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Haha, especially when it’s cold. The birdhide has such a good variety of heights, that I thought I could rest pretty steadily to ‘shoot’ a bird, too, if they were present. Only those 3 cormorants that day.
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