Summary

This is a tranquil, short walk (1.7km round trip) ideal for children and nature-lovers of all ages. It provides a great opportunity to view birds enjoying a lovely freshwater habitat.

Description

Pack your binoculars and hat to make the most of this lovely short walk at Phillip Island's only freshwater lake, a valued bird habitat.

To find the car park, turn off Ventnor Road near the Penguin Parade and look for the signage (see photos).

Enjoy a beautiful bushland setting for the first section of the walk as the track weaves through tea tree, banksia with saltbush and native grasses; butterflies enjoy the area in spring and summer.

Take a hat in sunny weather as the boardwalk section of the track is not shaded.

The highlight of the walk is viewing the many bird species, which you can do in comfort (without scaring the locals!) from the two bird hides located at the end of the walk.

The lake is home to numerous species including ducks, black swans, swamp harriers, cormorants and purple swamp hens. The southern bird hide include a great wall graphic to help you ID the birds you see.

Accessibility: The track is mostly flat except for a slight undulation from the car park. Local websites advise this walk is pram and wheelchair friendly.

Please note there are NO toilets available at this walk.

5322 Views

Points of Interest

1. Turn off to Swan Lake

Turn off Ventnor Road when you see the signage (near the guest house)

2. Walk track

Follow the gravel path to the information booth and stop to get educated about the local wildlife and traditional owners.

3. Bushland

Open grassland gives way to taller canopy species on the early part of the walk including banksia and melaleuca (Tea Tree).

4. Boardwalk

The boardwalk takes you closer to the lake edge giving you a better view of any birdlife.

5. Terrain description

With lots of birds including Cape Barron geese scrabbling around in the dirt, expect to see a bit of exposure at Lake's edge.

6. North bird hide

What can you see? Stay nice and quiet and be patient.

7. South bird hide

How many species can you spot out there? We saw 12!

Features

Picnic spot

Seating available

Pram friendly

Nature trail

Lake, creek, river