Fawthrop Lagoon Walk

Fawthrop Lagoon Walk created by Victoria Walks

Rate this walk

Summary

When visiting Portland this is a must do walk, particularly for wildlife lovers. Enjoy a lagoon encircling loop walk while observing large numbers of birds and wildlife.

Description

Find out more

Located within Portland, the broad Fawthrop Lagoon is an ecosystem that supports 150 bird species and other wildlife. The inflow from Wattle Hill Creek provides nutrients and fresh water. Channels then drain to the sea. This dynamic system supports rare and threatened species including the Australasian bittern and Great knot shorebirds.

Native vegetation around the edges of the lagoon deliver food for fish and crabs through to birds and Koalas that live in the area. Keep your eyes open. Observations of creatures of various types from frogs and small skinks to Yellow-tailed black cockatoos are possible.

The looping footpath takes you around this interesting natural attraction of wetland, saltmarsh, reed beads, birds, wildlife, native vegetation, fish, aboriginal culture and history.

The path is fully paved with asphalt. It is used by walkers, runners, bicycles and some mobility aid users. Note: there is a steep hill in the track and a wooden foot bridge on the northern end with boardwalks and the Rotary Bridge to the South. Mobility aid users are likely to require assistance at some of these locations or are advised to enjoy shorter return options from Hood Street.

The salt marsh beds support many salt tolerant plants such as grasses, worts and reeds. Look for water birds such as Stints, Sandpipers and Dotterells. You may also note frog calls from Banjo Frogs, Brown Tree Frogs, Striped Marsh Frogs and Common Froglets.

Amenities
A BBQ shelter has picnic tables, seating and rubbish bins with accessible drinking water on the path nearby. There is a bird hide on the western side of the lagoon. Outdoor gym equipment is located adjacent to the soccer field. Public toilets are located there as well.

Dogs must be on a leash. Cyclists may share pathways.

There is no public transport. Car parking is available in streets to the north of the lagoon and a car park on Hood Street.

Rate this walk

2076 Views

Points of Interest

1. BBQ shelter

This BBQ shelter offers BBQs, picnic tables and seating.

2. Outdoor gym and accessible drinking water

Next to the Hood St BBQ shelter is an outdoor gym and accessible drinking water fountain.

3. Footbridge

The footbridge is scheduled for improvement, but still easy to manage for walkers.

4. Caution - flooding possible

The area around the lagoon may flood after rain. Keep an eye on the weather when planning your visit.

5. The channels

For some up close bird encounters, this part of the walk is sure to deliver.

6. Reed beds

The sound of many noisy frogs in the reed beds is often a joyful part of the walk.

7. An occasional grain train

You might get lucky enough to have an up close grain train encounter along this section, but there aren't many.

8. Looking across to the CBD

At any time, you are sure to observe many birds on the water as you take in the views across the lagoon.

9. The hill

A quite steep hill is encountered as you walk the northern section of the path.

10. Seating and small bridges

Seating along the path is quite dispersed. None were noted to have armrests. There are a few small bridges across waterways into the lagoon. These have a grippy textured plastic surface.