Tamar Island Wetlands Centre — Attraction in Launceston

This afternoon, my parents and I visited the Tamar Island Wetlands Reserve in Riverside, Tasmania. This walk was on my "to-do" list before we started on this trip to Tasmania. Despite the weather being sunny 22 degrees, there was only light winds and it felt much warmer than that.

Located off the West Tamar Highway before you reach Launceston, this wetlands reserve is a very popular scenic spot.

There is an Information Centre about 100m from the entrance carpark. Normally it's open from 9:30am to 4:30pm but today it was closed. Still you're able to access and walk through the wetlands. They do ask to provide a $3 donation if you're able to.

The walking track through the wetlands reserve is predominantly boardwalk sections with chicken wire mesh on top plus several bridge crossings connecting each of the small islands. There are also a few timber seats along the way if you need to rest and/or enjoy the scenery.

It's a very vast reserve over the Tamar River with lots of marshy areas, tall reeds and grass and a wide variety of different birdlife including Black Swans, Chestnut Teals (Ducks), Great Egrets, White Faced Herons, Australisian Swamp Hens, Eurasian Coots and more.

Before the first bridge crossing, there is a short walking track which leads you to a bird hide where you can do some bird watching across the lagoon.

Eventually you'll reach Tamar Island itself when the path turns into a gravel/dirt track and splits into a loop. There are public toilets here as well as a picnic table and BBQ area.

Overall, despite this being one of the more "touristy" wetlands reserves I've visited, it is a still very beautiful and impressive area to...

This is an important protected wetland area along the Tamar River at Riverland. Access is directly along the A7 (W Tamar Rd) just 10 minutes northwest from the Launceston CBD. There is a useful Visitor Centre and wooden deck trail leading into the wetlands through heavy reeds. There are bird hides you can make use of to view birdlife.

You will also find one of Tasmania's 60 Great Short Trails, a 1.5km one way track across to Tamar Island providing opportunity to venture further into the protected reserve to spend time with nature. Our visit was limited to just 45 minutes due to time constraints but we could have easily spent several hours here. Best to have binoculars with you and stop by the Visitor Centre to learn from staff about what sort of bird activity is in season or present in the area at the time...

This wetland is a place has beautiful and ever changing views. One of my favorite spots to unwind, such a peaceful place, and what you see really depends on the weather, the light, and whether the tide is in or out—so every visit feels a little different. I usually spot black swans, and sometimes ducks or seagulls. If it is a lucky day, you might even see a wallaby or pademelon. And there are always lots of birds around if it is the season. When the tide is high, the water turns into a big, still mirror reflecting the sky, it’s absolutely beautiful. A great place for a quiet walk or just to slow down and...