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 Tours & Activities | Fly Fishing | Accommodation | Location & Access | Gallery Tours & Activities In the midst of the dry savanna country of the Australian Outback lies Clancy’s Lagoon with its spectacular Visitor Centre. This provides the hub for all tours and activities. The Visitor Centre is a blend of modern and vernacular North Queensland architecture using the traditional materials of tin and timber with sweeping views to the west and north across Clancy’s Lagoon to the Hann Tableland National Park.
The Reserve caters for both day visitors and overnight guests, and provides opportunities for a wide range of interests, including wildlife and birdwatching, bushwalking, fly fishing and private guiding, canoeing, sketching and photography. From the Centre, visitors may follow self-guided interpretive walks around the sanctuary, hire hand crafted timber canoes to paddle amongst the birds and lilies, float through the lilies on the electric boat Buralga, or join the famous Sunset Reserve Safari in the company of a Wetlands Guide to see more of the abundant wildlife, experience billy tea in the bush, and enjoy cheese and wine and an outback sunset. The Sunset Safari takes visitors to several of the lagoons of the Reserve, connected by creeks and channels of crystal clear water alive with birdlife. Pandanus Lagoon, the largest in the Reserve, is a delight for birdwatchers. At different times of the year, from the bird hide on the shores of this lagoon many of Australia’s species of wetland birds may be seen including ospreys, sea eagles, black swans, magpie geese, brolgas, whistling ducks in their hundreds, pelicans, pink-eared ducks and even Australia’s only stork, the jabiru. In the winter evenings, visitors may be treated to the fly-in of several hundred cranes which roost in the Reserve, one of the tropical north’s most uplifting wildlife experiences. Jacanas are resident on Lily Lagoon, where the beautiful lotus lily flowers, and several hundred red-tailed black cockatoos visit here each year. The wetlands also provide a habitat for reptiles, frogs, fish and of course the freshwater crocodile. Travelling only on dirt tracks far from any human habitation, the guide enables visitors to see much of Australia’s savanna fauna in its natural home. Completely wild, these animals include eastern grey kangaroos, agile and whiptail wallabies. Wallaroos, possums and gliders are also resident but best seen early and late in the day or spotlighting after dark.
Visitors may take short or longer walks, from 2km to 15km. Maps and information on the walks are available at the Visitor Centre. The walks are well marked, and offer some spectacular views across the Reserve into the country to the north and west.
Interpretive guided walks with an expert tour guide.
For a truly peaceful experience it is hard to beat the boat cruise on Clancy’s Lagoon in the electrically operated Buralga. Sit back and watch the lilies float by, get up close and personal to the resident Jacanas and Pygmy-geese, and, for the lucky ones, a close up of the Freshwater Crocodiles! The cruise takes 30-40 minutes in the company of one of the Wetlands guides, and can be tailored to all ages and interests. Boat tours depart from the Visitor Centre during the day or can be pre-booked.
For the more energetic, canoes may be hired from the Visitor Centre for paddling on Clancy’s Lagoon. These beautiful hand crafted timber canoes, made by local craftsman Grainger Morris, can seat two adults, or one adult and two children.
This very popular tour departs from the Visitor Centre each afternoon at 3.30pm. The tour includes the boat cruise, explores the Reserve with a guide by vehicle, and takes visitors to the more inaccessible parts of the Reserve. Afternoon ‘billy tea’ in the heart of the Reserve is a highlight, as is the sunset wine and cheese platter back at the Centre! The guided tour provides visitors with a wonderful insight into the workings of the tropical savannas. Binoculars may be hired from the Centre and are highly recommended for this tour. As numbers on the tour are limited, advance bookings are essential.
The Reserve is located in the ‘golden triangle’ of birding in Far North Queensland and currently boasts a species list of 204! The Mareeba Tropical Savanna and Wetland Reserve is situated on the East Asian/Australasian flyway and provides a unique environment in which to enjoy Australia’s tropical wetland and savanna birds. A series of 12 inter-connected lagoons, creeks and channels weave their way across the 5,000 acre Reserve. The lagoons, which range in size from several hundred acres to much smaller intimate habitats, attract a rich and diverse birdlife and provide a sanctuary for almost all of Australia’s tropical waterbirds. 204 species of birds, over twenty mammal species and a myriad of lower vertebrates and arthropods are testimony to the environmental values of the Reserve. The Reserve also has some excellent examples of open tropical savanna woodland and closely related regional ecosystems, where many species of bushland birds, including such rarities as Black-throated Finches and Buff-breasted Button-quail, have been recorded. It is also the location for a landmark Gouldian Finch reintroduction programme.
A visiting birdwatcher can expect to get up to 60 species during a day’s visit, rising rapidly when staying overnight and for keen birders, an overnight stay in Jabiru Safari Lodge is recommended. Special opening times may be organised for birding groups by prior arrangement only. Our experienced guides can provide you with up to date information on the birds, where to spot them or take you on a private guiding trip. More information and species lists can be found in our Flora and Fauna section.
The Reserve offers some marvellous photographic opportunities, both for wildife and landscapes. Visiting photographers both professional and amateur are encouraged to submit their best photos to us for display on our Photo Gallery.
The Conservancy can tailor make programmes for visiting primary, secondary and tertiary educational groups, as well as for special interest groups and clubs. Half or full day activities can be provided, but it is recommended that requirements are discussed with the wardens well in advance.
The Visitor Centre provides a spectacular setting for that special occasion. Dinners, weddings or wedding photography, honeymoons, parties or Christmas functions can all be catered for, whether small or large. Please contact the Visitor Centre to discuss your particular requirements, and for information and prices.
Rates And Bookings
Space is limited for most activities and should be pre-booked. Please contact us for all bookings and enquiries.
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Home | The Reserve | Visitor Information | The Conservancy | Contact |
©2007 Mareeba Wetland Reserve |
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It offers the ideal cool retreat in which to learn about the Australian tropical savannas and wetlands and the work of the Conservancy, or just to enjoy a cold drink or snack on the wide viewing gallery overlooking the lagoon and the surrounding wildlife. The centre is staffed by expert tour guides ready with advice and assistance on activities and natural history.
