Oxley Creek Common

A serene patch of bird-inhabited wetland in the midst of an agricultural and industrial area, Oxley Creek Common has a couple of easy paved walking trails and picnic amenities for the visitor.

One trail leads from the picnic area and themed info and amenity block Red Shed and splits into two before ending at two different bird habitats. For those keen to spot some of the 180 plus species of bird that inhabit this space, the best times to walk are at dawn and dusk though ornithological tendencies are not required to enjoy these walks.

1. Secret Forest Walk – 4.6km easy grade return.

Depart from the Red Shed along the main walking path that hugs Oxley Creek. After several hundred metres the vegetation increases and so does the chance of hearing or spotting the Eastern Yellow Robin, the Varied Triller or the Fairy Wren along with galahs, whipbirds and other usual suspects. The path curves around via the creek and loops back on itself before arriving at the hoop pine grove aka The Secret Forest, home to grey and pied butcherbirds. From here return to the Red Shed or, half way back, take the detour to the right to Pelican island (about 1km return).

2. Pelican Island Walk – 3.5km return.

Depart from the Red Shed along the same walking path along Oxley Creek. After about 1.3km there’s a turn off to the left to Pelican Island, which is a walk of a further 500m via cow paddocks. On the way it passes Jabiru Swamp, home to egrets such as the Great Egret and the rare urban dwelling Jabiru (black-necked stork). Pelican Lagoon itself is the catchment for the biggest variety of birds both grassland and waterbirds.