Mother of Ducks Lagoon birdwatching platform
Mother of Ducks Lagoon Nature Reserve
Overview
Stuck for things to do with kids? Enjoy scenic views and a picnic while birdwatching at Mother of Ducks Lagoon Nature Reserve at Guyra, near Armidale in NSW’s northern tablelands.
- Accessibility
- Medium
- Opening times
Mother of Ducks Lagoon birdwatching platform is always open, but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
- What to
bring - Hat, sunscreen, drinking water
- Please note
- Be sure to watch out for golfers and golfballs
- Remember to take your binoculars if you want to go bird watching
Like the sound of an afternoon surrounded by wetlands, native plants and more birds than you can count? Head to the birdwatching platform at Mother of Ducks Lagoon Nature Reserve in Guyra. This wooden observation platform sits at the eastern edge of the lagoon, a bustling bird habitat, and is a great place to stop for a picnic, while driving on the New England Highway.
Come face-to-face with a huge variety of birds, including endangered and threatened species. See if you can glimpse the renowned Japanese Snipe, which lives here from August to April, before returning to Japan, and keep an eye out for other migratory birds, including common greenshanks and white-throated needletails.
After watching from the bird hide, why not enjoy a different view with a short walk around the wetlands? There’s no formal track, but it’s easy to walk along the levee bank. Then pause for a picnic, once you’ve worked up a bit of an appetite, but be sure to protect your sandwiches from any opportunistic ibis.
Map
Map legend
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/birdwatching-and-wildlife-facilities/mother-of-ducks-lagoon-birdwatching-platform/local-alerts
Park info
- in Mother of Ducks Lagoon Nature Reserve in the Country NSW region
Mother of Ducks Lagoon Nature Reserve is always open.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Mother of Ducks Lagoon birdwatching platform.
Getting there and parking
Mother of Ducks Lagoon birdwatching platform is in Mother of Ducks Lagoon Nature Reserve. To get there:
- From Guyra CBD, drive south along Bradley Street.
- Turn west onto McKie Drive
- Proceed approximately 300m along McKie Drive to the signposted carpark located adjacent to the Guyra Golf Course
- The birdwatching platform is just a 300m walk to the west across the golf course and boardwalk
Road quality
- Sealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles (no long vehicle access)
Weather restrictions
- All weather
Parking
Parking is available in a small, signposted parking area adjacent to McKie Drive. Access to the bird observation platform is via the golf course – a 300m walk.
RV camping is provided by Guyra Council and located 100m from the parking area on McKie Drive.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Mother of Ducks Lagoon Nature Reserve. Here are some of the highlights.
Autumn
Picnic at the edge of the lagoon and photograph colourful autumn leaves along with aquatic birds.
Spring
The reserve comes alive in spring, with plant life at full bloom. It's a great opportunity to go birdwatching and see the local birdlife thriving in their natural habitat.
Summer
Combine a birdwatching outing with a visit to Guyra's Lamb and Potato Festival held annually from mid-January. Alternatively, stop in at the reserve en route to the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
Winter
Pull out your thermals and be at the reserve for the arrival of the Japanese snipe. These wonderful migratory birds return to the reserve around August each year.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
10°C and 26°C
Highest recorded
31.1°C
Winter temperature
Average
-2°C and 12°C
Lowest recorded
-7.8°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
January
Driest month
April
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
108mm
Facilities
Drinking water is not available in this area, so it's a good idea to bring your own.
Picnic tables
Carpark
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - medium
Wheelchairs can access the Mother of Ducks Lagoon birdwatching platform area with some difficulty.
Prohibited
Pets
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Learn more
Mother of Ducks Lagoon birdwatching platform is in Mother of Ducks Lagoon Nature Reserve. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
A changing world
The beautiful Mother of Ducks Lagoon has a complex history. Over the years, it’s been drained for pastoral purposes, among others, and has suffered the effects of drought. It’s fascinating to imagine that years ago much of it would probably have been underwater.
Many species call this home
With over 87 species observed in and around it, Mother of Ducks Lagoon Nature Reserve is a major bird habitat. You’ll also see black swans, wading ibis and cormorants diving for fish. Several endangered, threatened and vulnerable bird species rely on the reserve for survival, including the curlew sandpiper and grey falcon. You might even see one of the many reptiles recorded in the park, such as the common snake-necked tortoise or the endangered Booroolong frog. With so many migratory birds calling it home at least part of the year, the reserve has real international significance. Mother of Ducks Lagoon Nature Reserve features birds protected under international agreements between Australia and Japan, China and Korea.
- Mother of Ducks Lagoon birdwatching platform Stuck for things to do with kids? Enjoy scenic views and a picnic while birdwatching at Mother of Ducks Lagoon Nature Reserve at Guyra, near Armidale in NSW’s northern tablelands.
Wetlands full of life
There’s more to wetlands than birds, of course. The lagoon abounds with lush plant life, including tall spike-rush, common pondweed, Australian sweet grass and even carnivorous plants. Look carefully to see rare woodruff growing on the levee bank.
- Mother of Ducks Lagoon birdwatching platform Stuck for things to do with kids? Enjoy scenic views and a picnic while birdwatching at Mother of Ducks Lagoon Nature Reserve at Guyra, near Armidale in NSW’s northern tablelands.