The Beauty and Tranquility of Yea Wetlands

Yea Wetlands in fog

The Yea Wetlands is a 32-hectare flood plain adjacent to the Goulburn Valley Highway and a short walk from High Street. Home to many Australian marsupials, birds and aquatic creatures, the wetlands are a haven of peace and tranquillity encompassing natural bush and riverine floodplains. The Discovery Centre opened in August 2014 due to the dedication of the community and volunteers. Also added were the suspension bridge and raised boardwalks.

Yea Wetlands Map
Yea, Wetlands Map courtesy of Open Street Maps

A neighbouring property owner graciously agreed to relinquish a crown land license. This enabled the construction of a track between the Centre and the suspension bridge. Native trees, endemic to the area, replaced the willow trees and noxious weeds that were choking the waterway.

Walking trails

Wetlands are areas of land that are saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally. They are characterized by unique hydrological, chemical, and biological characteristics and are typically classified as marshes, swamps, bogs, or fens. Wetlands can be found in various environments, including coastal areas, river deltas, and the edges of lakes and ponds. Accordingly, they provide essential habitats for many plant and animal species and play critical roles in water management and carbon sequestration. They also provide various ecosystem services, such as water purification, flood control, and shoreline stabilization.

Grade 2: Distance: 2 Km. The walk begins at the Franklin Track and crosses the Yea River via a suspension bridge. Keep a lookout as you cross the bridge; Platypus and Rakali (native water rat) regularly forage along the river bed. The walk features information boards along the route and a bird hide overlooking a pond. A leisurely 45-60 min stroll allows you to come across Koalas and Sugar Gliders as well as Azure and Sacred kingfishers, spoonbills, Platypus and Rakali.

Yea Wetlands in fog
Yea, Wetlands in fog
Discovery Centre

The Yea Water Discovery Centre is a multi-purpose facility incorporating an accredited Visitor Information Centre and an Interpretive & Educational Centre. They offer visitor information in the form of maps and brochures as well as accommodation and travel guides. There is also a gift shop, free wi-fi, public toilets and meeting room hire.

Swamp Wallaby
Upgrades to the Wetlands

In July this year, the Yea wetlands successfully received a grant of $375,000 from the Victorian Government’s Regional Tourism Fund. The funding will go towards an upgrade of the precinct. The upgrade will include a 700m extension of the existing walk, named Yea River Kayigai Trail. In addition, the Cummins Lagoon will be extended to include a Riparian Zone.

A new bird hide and a sculpture trail will be added, focusing on the Taungurung people and their connection to the Country, and the exhibits in the Discovery Centre will be refurbished. Works are expected to be completed by mid-2024.

Preserving wetlands is essential for maintaining the ecological, economic, and societal benefits they provide. Some preservation strategies include:

  1. Protecting existing wetlands through regulations and laws such as Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
  2. Restoring degraded or destroyed wetlands through reforestation, re-vegetation, and other management practices.
  3. Creating new wetlands by constructing artificial ponds, marshes, and swamps.
  4. Implementing conservation programs and policies to protect wetlands and their associated species and educating the public about their importance
  5. Collaborating with local, state and federal government and other organizations to protect and implement conservation plans.
Yea Wetlands in fog
Wetlands in fog
Wetlands in fog

It’s important to note that preserving wetlands requires an integrated approach involving different stakeholders and a long-term commitment to ensure the sustainable use and protection of wetland resources.

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