The Wooroolin Wetlands is a palustrine wetland (inland without flowing water). It is located right next to the township of Wooroolin, accessible from behind the pub, or at the sports grounds just outside of town.
At the turn of the century early settlers reported feeling the earth shaking, and the lagoon suddenly dried up and remained dry for a long time. The blue gum eucalyptus trees grew in the dry lagoon.
The lagoon was full in the 1970s, and the blue gums died, becoming ideal for bird nesting.
A walking trail starts behind the pub in Wooroolin. The trail follows the grassland next to the lagoon around to the bird hide, around 650m one way. The grass was very tall, and the trail appears to be marked out by a vehicle-based mower. The tall grass made it difficult to view the lagoon from along the trail. It may be easier when the grasses have less growth.
The bird hide can be accessed more easily by going to the Wooroolin sportsground first. A short walk from the corner of the sportsground is less than 100m.
The sportsground can be accessed by driving or walking from Wooroolin along Sports Ground Rd from behind the pub (where you start the walking trail from). You can also drive in from Transmitter Rd from off the highway just north of town. When you enter the sportsgound, follow along the fenceline on the right to the corner, and a short trail leads to the bird hide.
I have read there were two walking tracks. I found only one, and the information board illustrates a single walking track. However, the board also says the wetlands were last full in the mid-1970s but was flooded in 2011 and 2013. The lagoon burst its banks in 2013.
The park near the pub has a playground and toilet block with free showers. A button on the wall gives you a timed hot water shower.
A free overnight camping area is further to the side behind the CWA, and is a large area suitable for the biggest that can accommodate quite a few people. It is right next to the highway so you will hear trucks passing through in the early hours. It was otherwise a good place to stop.
To get there:
To start the walking trail from Wooroolin, the parking area of the rest stop is along Bunya Hwy at Wooroolin.
To access the bird hide from the showgrounds, access Sports Ground Road from behind the pub in Wooroolin, from Frederick St. Drive 850m and turn right into the sportsgound. Follow along the fence on the right to the corner where the short walk to the bird hide is.
Alternatively, turn into Transmitter Rd from Bunya Hwy, just north of Wooroolin. At the end, turn left into Sports Ground Rd, the entry to the sportsground is 190m on your right. Follow along the fence on the right to the corner where the short walk to the bird hide is.
Cost: Free
Time: Anytime
Toilets: Yes
Bins: Yes
Tables: Yes
Seating: Yes
Water: No, not potable
Food: Yes, at cafe or pub
Wheelchair accessible: No, assistance may be needed over grass tracks
Pets: Yes
Playground: Yes
