Begola Wetland is part of a natural drainage system that runs for 7 kms from west-to-east, behind the coastal sand dunes, through to Swan Bay. The wetlands are unique as they sit between two distinctly different landforms and soil types.

When you visit, you’ll not only hear the calls of the many frog species that call the wetland home, but you’ll also get to see a diverse range of bird species.

About this wetland

 These freshwater wetlands feature a large, shallow, open-water zone, with dense stands of emergent macrophytes – aquatic plants that grow in, or on the edge of, the water. They’re replenished solely by stormwater run-off from the Ocean Grove.

A weir constructed at the eastern-end keeps water in the wetland for extended periods, however the water dries out about once in every five years as a natural and important part of the wetland cycle.

What to look for

Birds nest and roost either in grass beside the wetland, or among the reeds. Many of the waterbirds forage for food on the shallow floor of the wetland and along its marshy edges.

Birds who regularly visit

Latham’s Snipe – these birds migrate over 8000km from Japan around August/September, and return in March/April:

• Australasian Grebe
• Australian Wood Duck
• Black Swan
• Dusky  Moorhen
• Pacific Black Duck
• Purple Swamphen
• White - faced Heron

What to listen for

Begola means‘place of many frogs’ in Wadawurrung traditional language. Can you hear their calls?

• Eastern Banjo Frog – a short, musical and explosive ‘bonk’ call
• Eastern Common Froglet – a series of 3–5 rapid, chirping calls ‘crick, crick, crick’
• Southern Brown Tree Frog – a rapid and repeated harsh whirring ‘creeeeeee creee cree cree cree’
• Spotted Marsh Frog – a single, sharp call of ‘click’ or ‘plock’.

Things to do

Visit the viewing platform at the eastern end of the wetlands, which can be accessed from Emperor Drive.