Berrinba Wetlands

This beautiful 80 ha wetland oasis is Logan's best kept secret and well worth the trip to experience. Easy grade walking circuits of wide pram and wheelchair friendly pathways, boardwalks and bridges cut a swathe through forests with outcrops and viewing points over the lakes and billabongs; at the entrance points off Wayne Goss Drive are the Wetlands Outlook precinct, with state of the art barbecues and picnic shelters and public amenities, an interactive information centre. Nearby and a bit further along the drive, the Billabong Outlook Precinct has a terrific children's playground with its own picnic facilities and play equipment built on sand pits.

There are several entrance points around the wetlands to the walking tracks but probably the best place to start is at the Wetlands Outlook Precinct, where there's also a section of parallel parking (and an access ramp for wheelchairs).

From here the options are to take the Billabong Outlook Circuit (a leisurely 600m stroll around a couple of picturesque billabongs) or the non-taxing 2.8km Greater Wetland Walk which circumnavigates the whole wetlands (a great bike ride for young cyclists).

The latter is well sign-posted and starts at the viewing platform that juts out over the lake below the Information shelter, with views on pelicans. Nearby is a stunning solar powered sculpture of a flying eagle spreading its wings over the marshes, by local artist John Coleman. Take the path to the right along the waterfront – this is part of both the Billabong circuit and the Wetlands circuit – eventually it come to a T-junction – turn left here and you're on the Wetlands Circuit proper, which is well sign-posted from here on in.

If visiting early morning or late afternoon (recommended in summer with a dose of insect repellent) this is the best time for fauna spotting – look out for pale-headed rosellas, powerful owls, tusked frogs bandicoots, gliders, or shy swamp and red-necked wallabies.

Otherwise enjoy the cooler temperatures, fabulous flora including black she-oaks (casuarina), scribbly gums, white stringy bark, melaleuca and prickly paper bark, pelican sightings and glimpses of lace monitors and bearded or water dragons and if lucky a broad-shelled turtle.

Amazingly these wetlands are manmade, created by the sand and mining operations that occurred here after World War II up until the 1990s after which they remained relatively untouched until Logan Council bought the disused mine in 2003, cleared out the rubbish and non-native bush before revegetating building the walkways, bridges and eco buildings so that they could be enjoyed by the public.

For more information and other great things to do and see in the City of Logan click HERE