Victoria

Werribee Treatment Ponds is regarded as one of the best bird watching spots in the whole country. This historic sewage plant is now a working farm and an internationally recognised haven for bird life. Covering over 40 square miles, there are numerous areas to visit. A vehicle is necessary and the best way to see the majority of the sites. Here, you can find migratory shorebirds, all manner of wetland birds and if you are very lucky, courting Brolga. That was the highlight of my last visit. 

Coogoorah Park Coogoorah Park is a beautiful estuarine wetland and coastal woodland reserve located along the Anglesea River in Anglesea, Victoria. It was created in 1983 following devastating bushfires, when peat fires around the Anglesea River estuary could not be extinguished. The decision was made to flood the area, resulting in the creation of this stunning nature and recreation reserve. There are several walkways through the area and many interesting and uncommon birds can be found here, like the White-eared Honeyeater. 

Close to the town of Lara, Serendip Sanctuary is a 250-hectare protected area. It's a haven for wildlife and a popular destination for nature lovers, offering a glimpse into the diverse ecosystems of the Volcanic Western Plains.  The sanctuary is home to a variety of habitats, including wetlands, grasslands, and woodlands. Visitors can encounter a range of native Australian animals, such as kangaroos, wallabies, emus, and a diverse array of birdlife. The sanctuary also features walking trails and bird hides taking you through woodland, wetlands and around the lakes. That results in a wide variety of birds found here from the Baillon's Crake to Purple-crowned Lorikeet.

The Ruff Property is close to the town of Nagambie within the Black Mountains. This rugged and picturesque range is part of the Heathcote-Graytown National Park. The mountains are known for their distinctive black rock formations, which are composed of basalt. This dark rock contrasts beautifully with the surrounding greenery, creating a striking visual landscape. The area is also home to a variety of native Australian plants and animals, including eucalyptus forests, wildflowers, kangaroos, wallabies, and a wide array of birdlife. Manfred Ruff owns land at the bottom of the range and he has cultivated and protected it to become a haven for this flora and fauna. Antechinus, parrots, firetails and a wide range of honeyeater are all found here. Manfred offers bread and breakfast and guided tours of his property.

Based at the Kiata Campground, I spent some time exploring the Little Desert and I thought it was one of the most wonderful wildlife spots in Victoria. I saw a huge variety of birds and animals here and possibly saw the most number of uncommon birds anywhere. The park is dominated by deep, sandy soils, creating a distinctive desert-like environment, although it doesn't reach the defintion of a real desert. Despite its arid appearance, the Little Desert boasts a surprising variety of plant life, including heathland, mallee scrub, and wildflowers, especially during spring. There are trails running from the campsite through the park that provide wonderful early morning sightings. 

The Winton Wetlands are a series of 30 temporary and intermittent wetlands located near Benalla in Victoria, Australia. This vast wetland system, covering over 8,750 hectares, is the largest wetlands restoration project in the southern hemisphere. The wetlands are home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including over 180 species of birds, making it a haven for birdwatchers. The landscape is dominated by open cane grasslands, river redgum wetlands, and box-gum grassy woodlands. The vast area can make it tricky to observe the animals unseen but there are some spots where you can see cryptic and uncommon species with ease. 

The Tabilk Winery Wetlands are a significant part of the winery's commitment to environmental sustainability. The wetland system improves water quality by filtering runoff from the vineyards and surrounding areas and help to offset the winery's carbon footprint by storing carbon in the wetland vegetation. As a result, the wetlands play a crucial role in providing habitat for a diverse range of native plants and animals, including birds, insects, and aquatic life. There is a walk along the waterways and around the wetlands which are beautiful and full of bird life. You might even spot a Koala!

Hattah-Kulkyne National Park is named after the Hattah Lakes and the Kulkyne State Forest, the two areas that were combined to form the park. Hattah Lakes was the original protected area, declared a sanctuary in 1915 to preserve the beauty of the lakes. Kulkyne State Forest was added to the national park in 1980, significantly expanding its size and diversity. The open woodlands of the trails and campsites are stunning and full of wildlife. This is a great place to see several species of parrot, robins and honeyeaters.