Laratinga Wetlands — Attraction in Mount Barker

How amazing are these wetlands 👏👍 It is so conveniently located on the outskirts of Mt Barker with multiple access points. There are numerous walking trails that are pram friendly. Whether walking, cycling, or just relaxing on one of the benches by the water, you are guaranteed to come away feeling refreshed and excited by what you have observed. I entered via the Bald Hills Road carpark and was pleasantly surprised to see so much water around. Obviously, Mt Barker has been lucky to receive a lot of rain these past few weeks. Thanks to the high water levels, this 16-hectare land is teeming with birdlife - a true bird-lovers paradise. I spotted about 40 Grebes just in the one pond 😍. I was sorry I didn't have my camera with me but will certainly be back soon with it. Of course there are many other animal species that call this place home. There are BBQ areas and picnic tables as well as toilets. Also, bird-watching hides and Bee hotels have been setup. Maps can be downloaded from the Mountbarker.sa.gov.au website. The trails in the wetlands link up to the Linear Trail - an award winning 7 km shared walkway that follows the creek to Keith Stephenson Park. The wetlands are looked after by Council and volunteers. I believe they also run guided...

Always a pleasant walk.

December edit: The outback ducks are back, I've seen the Freckled Duck here for the first time.

We have been visiting these wetlands for years. The trees and shrubs matured and now look like they been here forever. Whoever is doing the upkeep they are doing an excellent job. The bird population changes season to season and year on year. A couple of years ago when there was a widespread dust storm the outback ducks discovered Laratinga and they are maintaining their presence ever since. I have just posted photos of Australian Shoveler. Pink eared ducks are around the water treatment ponds, you can see them through the fence. There are some interesting vagrants every time we visit. This weekend it was the Blue billed duck, photo posted. Chestnut and Grey teals seem to be residents. Clamorous read warblers were out in the open posing for photos. I am looking forward to...

We visited Larting Wetlands, which is conveniently located near the main road with sufficient parking available. • The area features a scenic walking trail along the water, making it a great spot for a peaceful stroll. • There’s an abundance of birdlife, adding to the charm of the place. • Plenty of seating areas are available, making it easy to relax and enjoy the surroundings. • The washrooms are clean and well-maintained, which is always a plus.

It’s a short and refreshing outing, ideal for 1 to 1.5 hours of walking and unwinding in nature. Overall, a nice place to visit for a relaxing walk and some...