Best Birding Locations
(1) Jells Park, Wheelers Hill 3150
(2) Sherbrooke Forest, Dandenong Ranges National Park, Sherbrooke Victoria 3789
(3) Western Treatment Plant. Werribee Victoria 3030
(4) Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands, Seaford 3198
(6) Reef Island Nature Conservation Reserve, Bass Vic 3991
(7) Cherry Lake Reserve, Millers Road, Altona 3018
(8) You Yangs Regional Park, Branch Road, Little River, 3211
We are in the process of adding birding hotspots here.
We are in the process of adding birding hotspots here.
We are in the process of adding birding hotspots here.
We are in the process of adding birding hotspots here.
We are in the process of adding birding hotspots here.
We are in the process of adding birding hotspots here.
We are in the process of adding birding hotspots here.
Jells Park, Wheelers Hill VIC 3150
Jells Park, Wheelers Hill VIC 3150
Jells Park is a public park in Wheelers Hill, a suburb in south-east Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The park is primarily used for walking, picnics, running, and of course bird watching. This 127 hectares park consists of over nine kilometres of paths and trails with picnic area, kids play areas, cafe, toilet and parking facilities. The Jells Park is managed by Parks Victoria and the latest park information can be found here.
The Jells park is home to many native as well as migratory birds and over 150 species have been reported in this area. A bird hide on the east side of the lake provide excellent view of bird life in the island and a large area of the lake.
The list of bird species sighted at the Jells Park as reported to the eBird can be found here.
Sherbrooke Forest, Dandenong Ranges National Park, Sherbrooke Victoria 3789
Sherbrooke Forest, Dandenong Ranges National Park, Sherbrooke Victoria 3789
Sherbrooke Forest is an area under the wider Dandenong Ranges National Park located about 35 km east of Melbourne. A 70 hectares forest consists of number of walking trails start from Sherbrooke, Grants and O’Donohue Picnic Grounds, along the rainforest dominated by Mountain Ash, stringybark, lush tree ferns and, waterfalls. Parking and toilet facilities are available near the picnic grounds. The up-to-date park information about the forest can be found here.
The Sherbrooke Forest is home to many bird species including Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Galah, Crimson Rosella, Little Corella, Long-billed Corella, Australian King-Parrot, Laughing Kookaburra and Superb Lyrebird. There are over 130 species have been reported in this area.
The list of bird species sighted at the Sherbrooke Forest as reported to the eBird can be found here.
Western Treatment Plant, Werribee Victoria 3030
Western Treatment Plant, Werribee Victoria 3030
Werribee’s Western Treatment Plant, located 30km west of Melbourne, is one of the most popular birdwatching sites in Victoria. The surrounding areas of the plant have been recognised as a wetland of international significance under the Ramsar Convention. The 110m2 plant’s lagoons, grasslands and coastline provide an ideal habitat for native birds as well large number of migratory bird species. Access to the Western Treatment Plant for birdwatching is by permit only and permits can be obtained from Melbourne Water Plant website.
The sewage treatment lagoons, Lake Borrie, creeks, saltmarsh, and coast host large numbers of sedentary and migratory waterbirds and waders. It adjoins the Spit Nature Conservation Reserve and is one of the few wintering sites for the critically endangered orange-bellied parrot.
There are over 270 species have been reported in this area. The list of bird species sighted at the Western Treatment Plant as reported to the eBird can be found here.
Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands, Seaford 3198
Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands, Seaford 3198
The Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands is a collection of freshwater swamps and marshlands totalling 261 hectares about 30 km southeast of Melbourne CBD which have been recognised as a wetland of international significance under the Ramsar Convention. It is reported that, up to 7000 individual birds make the Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands their home. Some 190 species have been recorded, including many migratory waders. The list of bird species sighted at the Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands as reported to the eBird can be found here.
The Edithvale Wetland is managed by Melbourne Water, while the Seaford Wetland is jointly managed by Melbourne Water and the City of Frankston. Public amenities include a bird hide (blind) at the Edithvale Wetland with education displays, as well as walking and bicycle tracks around both wetlands for birdwatching. The bird hide is accessible from Edithvale Road, staffed by volunteers from the Friends of Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands, and open from 1300 to 1700 on Sundays.
Phillip Island, 3922
Phillip Island, 3922
Phillip Island, a day trip from Melbourne, lies just off Australia’s southern coast. Phillip Island forms a natural breakwater for the shallow waters of the Western Port. It is 26 km long and 9 km wide, with an area of about 100 km2. It has 97 km of coastline and is part of the Bass Coast Shire. The Phillip Island Important Bird Area comprises a 20 km2 strip of coastline along the south and west coasts of Phillip Island. The site contains much of the Phillip Island Nature Park, including the tourist attraction of Penguin Parade, the headland of Cape Woolamai, sandy beaches, coastal vegetation of herbland, grassland and shrubland, and the offshore islets and reefs of the Nobbies and Seal Rocks at the western end of the island. The Nobbies (135 species), Oswin Roberts Reserve (137 Species), Swan Lake (155 species), Rhyll Inlet (185 species), Rhyll Jetty (169 species), Conservation Hill Reserve (123 species), Shearwater Estate (108 species), Fishers Wetland (153 species), Churchill Island (129 species) and Cape Woolamai (141 species) are the most popular birding hotspots within the Island.
Reef Island Nature Conservation Reserve, Bass Vic 3991
Reef Island Nature Conservation Reserve, Bass Vic 3991
Reef Island, a small nature reserve on the eastern side of Westernport Bay (Access via Bass Highway in Victoria). The island, a well-known high tide roost site for migratory waders, was teeming with interesting birds. A word of warning though, the island is cut off from the mainland during high tide. The list of bird species sighted at the Reef Island Nature Conservation Reserve as reported to the eBird can be found here.
Cherry Lake Reserve, Millers Road, Altona 3018
Cherry Lake Reserve, Millers Road, Altona 3018
Cherry Lake is part of historical coastal wetlands in Altona, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia. The wetlands were converted to a lake with construction of retaining walls, levees, and flow channels. The lake and surrounding reserve are an important wildlife habitat and popular recreational destination. The lake and associated salt marsh vegetation provides habitat for over 150 bird species. A 3.5 km walking and cycling trail circuits the lake and takes visitors to the western and northern surrounds which contain interesting salt marsh habitats used by a range of water birds. The list of bird species sighted at the Cherry Lake Reserve as reported to the eBird can be found here.
You Yangs Regional Park, Branch Road, Little River, 3211
You Yangs Regional Park, Branch Road, Little River, 3211
The You Yangs Regional Park is a park in southern central Victoria, Australia. The Park encompasses much of the southern areas of the You Yangs, a granite range that rises from the Werribee Plains, 60km southwest of Melbourne. The Park is operated and managed by Parks Victoria and is open during daylight hours. The Park provides a range of habitats for wildlife. More than 200 species of birds have been recorded and koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, brush-tail possums, echidnas, and lizards are commonly seen. There are nine picnic areas throughout the park, many with tables and accessible toilet facilities. A road known as Great Circle Drive, encircles Flinders Peak, enabling drivers, cyclists, and walkers to navigate the undulating terrain, from flat forested areas to hilly scenic views. The road passes by many lookouts, rest areas, picnic areas, barbecues, and other features.
The list of bird species sighted at the You Yangs Regional Park as reported to the eBird can be found here.