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.
Read more about Mother of Ducks Lagoon Nature Reserve
Located on the edge of Guyra, 37km north of Armidale, Mother of Ducks Lagoon Nature Reserve offers a special birdwatching experience.
The reserve is a rare breeding place for several freshwater wetland bird species and a resting place for numerous migratory birds. Plan a visit or stop over while driving through the northern tablelands. You’ll see an ever-changing array of birds, and it’s a great option if you’re looking for things to do with kids.
Find a spot on the observation platform on the lagoon’s eastern edge to be treated to scenic views of this rare montane wetland. Mother of Ducks Lagoon Nature Reserve is also a lovely spot for enjoying a picnic by the water.
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/mother-of-ducks-lagoon-nature-reserve/local-alerts
Contact
- in the Country NSW region
Mother of Ducks Lagoon Nature Reserve is always open.
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Armidale office
02 6738 9100
Contact hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm. - 145 Miller Street, Armidale NSW 2350
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Email: npws.nea@environment.nsw.gov.au
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Armidale office
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Mother of Ducks Lagoon Nature Reserve.
Map
Map legend
Getting there and parking
Mother of Ducks Lagoon Nature Reserve is on the south-western edge of the township of Guyra. To get there from Guyra CBD:
- Drive along Bradley Street towards the southern end of the Guyra CBD
- Turn west onto McKie Drive
- Proceed approximately 300m along McKie Drive to the signposted carpark located adjacent to the Guyra Golf Course
Parking
- Mother of Ducks Lagoon birdwatching platform See on map
By bike
Check out the Bicycle information for NSW website for more information.
By public transport
For information about public transport options, visit the NSW country transport info website.
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
Picnic tables
Maps and downloads
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.
Nearby towns
Guyra (2 km)
Fishing in one of Guyra's numerous and beautiful streams is a great way to relax and get back to nature. You might land a big trout, too! If you're looking for more active pursuits, you're within easy reach of a number of scenic national parks, where rock climbing, kayaking horseriding and bushwalking are just some of your options.
Armidale (38 km)
During autumn the parks and gardens around Armidale show their beautiful colours. Enjoy a drive along the Waterfall Way, stopping at waterfalls and craggy gorges in the rugged countryside.
Glen Innes (62 km)
Set in the most prolific sapphire region of Country NSW, Glen Innes hosts the annual Minerama Fossicking and Gem Show and the annual Australian Celtic Festival, and is home to the Australian Standing Stones.
Learn more
Mother of Ducks Lagoon Nature Reserve is a special place. Here are just some of the reasons why:
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.
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.
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.
Education resources (1)
What we're doing
Mother of Ducks Lagoon Nature Reserve has management strategies in place to protect and conserve the values of this park. Visit the OEH website for detailed park and fire management documents.