From the monsoonal Mary River floodplains in the Northern Territory’s Top End to the rivers and estuaries of Moulting Lagoon on the east coast of Tasmania, Australia’s wetlands are not only vital habitat for biodiversity, but they also bring people and nature closer together.
Wetlands are a distinct ecosystem that is either permanently or seasonally flooded by water, such as coastal estuaries, mudflats, mangroves, saltmarshes, coral reefs, floodplain lakes, billabongs, swamps, marshes, alpine bogs and peatlands. Considered among the most biologically diverse of all ecosystems on Earth, wetlands provide an essential refuge to myriad of both aquatic and terrestrial plant and animal species, with many endemic flora and fauna being completely dependent on these ecosystems. So crucial are these habitats that in 1971, an intergovernmental treaty was made for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources, with Australia being one of the first countries to sign.
The Top End wetlands support vast populations of waterbirds and unique wildlife, home to extraordinary numbers of magpie geese as well as both saltwater crocodile and freshwater crocodile, as well as bull sharks, sawfish, and dugong due to the floodplain inflow channel diffusing into vast seasonal swamps before reaching the sea through several tidal channels. Compared to other coastal floodplains in the Northern Territory, this feature results in greater areas of wetland habitats flooded over extended periods and an extremely complex and productive system, a vast wilderness region of over 300km2. The floodplain is dominated by a mix of sedge and grass communities and large paperbark forests in the north, and fringed by open eucalypt woodland and pockets of monsoon forest.
Wild Bush Luxury’s lodge on the floodplain, Bamurru Plains brings guests into this unique environment on a very Australian style safari. 10 bungalows with meshed sides, a veil between guests and the natural world, allowing connection with the sights and sounds of life on the floodplain. Knowledgeable field guides provide insight and access to the wild and remote region, with airboat trips out on the floodplains and open sided safari vehicles providing the best possible vantage point to view agile wallabies, estuarine crocodiles, brumbies, buffalo and some of the 236 bird species on the property.
Much further south, on the east coast of Tasmania, adjacent to Freycinet Peninsula is the Ramsar wetland sanctuary of Moulting Lagoon. The catchment area of the two rivers totals just over 900km2 and is an important breeding area for black swan and hosts particularly large summer concentrations of Australian shelduck, chestnut teal and the largest known flocks of greenshank and sharp-tailed sandpiper in Tasmania. As well as the resident population of waterbirds, 12 species of migrating waders breed in the Arctic region during the northern hemisphere summer and migrate south to Moulting Lagoon for the southern hemisphere summer on an epic migration. The lagoon supports 13 rare plant species as well as an almost continuous belt of samphire, fringed by salt marsh rush and tussock grass. Beyond that, the lower, wetter areas support paperbark melaleuca, silver wattle and oyster bay pines.
Discreetly positioned overlooking the Hazards Mountains and the pristine waters of Great Oyster Bay, Saffire Freycinet blends mankind and nature, framing the alluring views of the Freycinet Peninsula. Guests can experience the wetlands on a Marine Farm experience, and don waders to venture into the tidal flats and enjoy eating oysters fresh from the water and learn about the extraordinary journeys taken by migratory birds. A guided kayak along the mouth of the Moulting Lagoon wetland provides an excellent bird watching opportunity and to and witness the crystal-clear waters teeming with marine life.
The Ramsar Convention guidelines emphasise that ‘human use on a sustainable basis is entirely compatible with Ramsar principles and wetland conservation in general’. The wise use of wetlands deliver benefits for human well-being now and into the future, like economic and social sustainability, the mitigation of and adaptation to climate change, and prevention of disease and natural disaster.
Guests often want to be aware of not just sustainable tourism best practices and sustainable operations, but to know that their visit is in some shape or form is an active contributor to environmental preservation and regeneration, and the enrichment and well-being of local communities and cultures.
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