I have been a bird watcher way longer than a geocacher and I often combine both activities. Over time I have also added an interest in spiders and insects.
Jerrabomberra Wetlands are one of Canberra's oldest bird watching areas and easily accessible.
Jerrabomberra Wetlands sits on the floodplains of the Molonglo River. Traditionally this was a culturally and nutritionally important area for indigenous peoples. With the damming of the Molonglo River to form Lake Burley Griffin, the floodplains were permanently flooded.
In 1980 the first part of the Nature Park was gazetted.
There are several bird watching hides with view of the ponds.
Jerrabomberra Wetlands is visited by, or home to, 77 species of waterbird, and 16 species use it as a breeding location. Over 170 species of wetland birds, woodland birds and grassland birds have been recorded at Jerrabomberra Wetlands, and eight species of international migratory birds use Jerrabomberra Wetlands on a seasonal basis.
I have at times counted up to 35 species of birds on a short outing.
The event is EARLY - as in the EARLY bird catches the worm...
Birds and other animals seem to be active in the morning after waking and before the heat of the day quietens the areas.
The early hour also means that anyone going to ParkRun should be able to find some birds before running off.
I will bring a couple of pairs of binoculars, magnifying glasses, containers to collect and watch insects and arachnids, guide books, coffee, and a snakebite bandage.
Please bring:
- Binoculars or scope (if you have)
- Camera - for awesome wildlife shots
- Hat
- Water
- Closed in shoes (preferred)
- Chair, if you don't want to hustle for a seat at the one picnic table there is or sit in the bird hide the whole time.
pls note: This is a firm no dog area. There are no public toilets at the wetlands, with the nearest ones being in Fyshwick and Kingston.
The area, including the bird hides are wheelchair accessible, though on unpaved, smooth-ish paths.
PS: if watching birds is not your thing, there are a few geocaches and ALs in this area, as well as the trench system that was originally part of the Trench Warfare and Bombing School at Duntroon (complete with AL, Trad and Multi). Or just socialise :)
There is more scope to socialise this weekend as this is one of seven CCEs around the ACT
Background photo taken by Michael Maconachie
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Community Celebration Events - 2025
This Event is part of a limited release of Community Celebration Events to celebrate 25 years of geocaching. Geocachers hosted events between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025. Learn more about Community Celebration Events on the Geocaching Blog.