Croydon Wetlands

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is a 500-metre section of the Tarralla Creek Trail, which runs for 5.5 kms from Hewish Road in Croydon to the Dandenong Creek.


It can be accessed from Norton Road and Taylors Road, in Croydon. The Norton Road leads to a grassy expanse. It was here that a pair of crested pigeons were fossicking in the grass.




A noisy miner was tree borne as was a magpie, with another one on the ground and a nearby mudlark.




The area has undergone major enhancement work turning the area into a natural oasis for the enjoyment of the community and waterbirds. I visited the area two years ago when it was being rejuvenated.


As soon as the wetlands were approached many waterbirds were seen on the water, with ducks being the prominent species, with four breeds seen.




Black ducks were the most common ones seen, often in company with other species.


A pair of black ducks were making themselves comfortable on a bed of reeds, perhaps a nesting site.


A chestnut teal was diving for food accompanied by another breed, its iridescent green head visually attractive.


An attractive small bird was an adult Australasian Grebe, which is beginning to moult out of breeding plumage.


A bridge has been constructed over the wetlands and several resting points with furniture and landscape structures enhance the area.




A hide is constructed at one location with viewing windows at various heights to allow easy observance of the birds.


Apart from the Tarralla Creek path, there is a dedicated path around the wetlands, giving many close encounters with the birdlife. There are three areas of stepping stones to facilitate these encounters.


Many walkers were along both paths, along with those with their dogs and cyclists.


Over 80,000 ephemeral, terrestrial and aquatic plants are being introduced to the wetland and surrounding area to encourage natural fauna to return to the area.


Almost all flora was non-flowering. Three that weren't were a group of everlastings, some paper daisies and a bottlebrush.


Walking along part of Tarralla Creek before it enters the wetland area, I noticed a white-faced heron standing stately upon a tree stump. After a few photos, it flew off providing a nice in-flight photo.

I then noticed two ibis sitting on a fence. Upon my approach they flew off, again giving me a couple of in-flight photos. That ibis joined two others giving a nice group photo.




These wetlands are a community asset that will only improve in time. At the moment it should be a must-see location for our younger people for a close-up experience with nature.

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