Drouin - McNeilly Wetlands Walk
McNeilly Wetlands is an award winning wetlands design in a six hectare park. A short, level 1.5km (if walked in figure of 8) walk around wetlands area. Gravel pathways are wide and well-constructed providing access for people in wheelchairs or with limited mobility. These wetlands were named after the pioneering McNeilly family who used this area as a summer grazing paddock for stock.
McNeilly Wetlands Walk Map
1. From the entrance in Jackson Dr walk in either direction.
2. Lookout point: look over the lakes.
3. The very tall eucalypts are Strzelecki Gums which are listed as threatened. Natural recruitment (regeneration) of this species is very evident from the young trees that have begun to prosper once the grazing and clearing of the area ceased.
4. Wetland bird species to look for include ducks, swamphens, coots, grebes, etc on the water and warblers, grassbirds, wrens and cisticolas in the reed beds. Tree martins, parrots, cockatoos, galahs, and corellas are among the birds often seen using the hollows.
5. Black-shouldered Kites and Australian Kestrels can often be seen patrolling for some unwary prey. A pair of Black-shouldered Kites have nested in one of the Strzelecki Gums for the last few years. The mature trees are excellent habitat for a wide range of native birds and animals. Even the fallen logs provide valuable hollows.
Access for Dogs:
Dogs are permitted on leash.
Review:
A lovely area for a walk with plenty of waterbirds. On the north side is a playground with picnic facilities and there are toilets in the north east corner. There are seats for a rest along the paths. There is a large sculpture in the middle of the wetlands which a number of ducks like to sit on top of. There is an additional Strzelecki Gum in teh south west corner with some signage.
Photos:
Location
50 Jackson Drive, Drouin 3818 Map
Web Links
→ Drouin Tree Walks Brochure (PDF)
→ Birds of Drouin Brochure (PDF)
→ Birds of Drouin and District Brochure (PDF)
→ West Gippsland Flora Fauna and Fungi Brochure (PDF)
→ Baw Baw Shire Biodiversity Poster (PDF)
→ Nature On Your Doorstop Brochure (PDF)
