Visiting Fivebough
Fivebough and Tuckerbil Swamps are located near Leeton in the Riverina region of New South Wales. Fivebough Swamp is 2 km north-east of Leeton, and Tuckerbil Swamp, less than 10 km from Fivebough, is approximately 12 km north-west of Leeton.
- Download the Fivebough Wetland Site Map
A major management objective of the Fivebough and Tuckerbil Wetlands Trust is education and eco-tourism. As an important component of this objective, the Trust has and continues to develop facilities to assist public access to Fivebough Swamp. Other than the Hooey Road lookout all visitor facilities are in the western portion of the wetland mainly throughout the permanent wetland area.
- The wetland has 5km of walking trails, with 3km of all weather trails
- Viewing mounds and two birdhides have been placed along the trails to provide ease of observation.
- Walking trails are mainly within fenced corridors. This allows distance and or vegetation to detach or screen visitors from the birds view, and minimise bird disturbance.
- Some management areas, not all, are strategically grazed with cattle. Grazing is used as a conservation management tool to provide a variety of habitats for waterbirds.
- The permanent wetland area of Fivebough Swamp is opened to the public everyday.
- Fivebough's ephemeral wetland is managed primarily for waterbird conservation, and access is with permission only. The majority of the ephemeral wetland is able to be observed from existing visitor observation sites.
- Motor bikes, and domestic pets, i.e. cats and dogs, are prohibited.
Points of interest
Budyaan Baamirra Centre
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The Budyaan Baamirra Centre was constructed by the Trust in August 2001, to the design of architect Simon Lloyd, and engineer Glen Saddler. The Centre is designed and sited to blend with the skyline of the Brobenah Hills to the north east, while also representing the wings of a bird. Budyaan Baamirra is Wiradjuri for ‘birds at the swamp'. The mural on the Centre's wall has been painted by local Wiradjuri artist William Ingram. |
Ponds Birdhide
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The bird hide over looks Leeton Shire Council's sewage maturation ponds, and is where many species of waterfowl can be seen, including Freckled, Musk, and Blue-billed Ducks. The bird hide was built in 2001 by the Trust with the assistance of Conservation Volunteers Australia and BHP Billiton through their 'Revive our Wetlands' project at Fivebough Swamp 2001-2002. |
Walking Trail
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South west section of permanent wetland. |
Petersham Road entrance and carpark
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The Petersham Road entrance and carpark is sited on the western edge of the Fivebough Basin. Travelling by road it is approximately 4km NNE from Leeton Post Office in the town's centre. The carkpark was constructed in 2000 and native plants established in 2001 by the Trust with the assistance of Conservation Volunteers Australia. The entrance footbridge was built and contributed by Murrumbidgee Irrigation. Lat. 34 32 145 Long 146 25 223 |
Hooey Road Lookout
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Located on Fivebough Swamp's eastern lunette, the lookout and carpark were constructed by the Trust in July 1999. It is a vantage point overlooking the ephemeral wetland. By late May flooding has normally commenced, remaining inundated through until January by when drying has mostly occured. During this time 1000's of waterbirds of many species may be seen from here. In most years from mid October to late December during the final 2 hours before dusk a spectacular event often occurs. Glossy Ibis fly into the wetland to roost for the night from the surrounding irrigation area. Numbers vary from year to year, with 20,000 recorded in December 1995, 5,000 November 2003, 15,000 November 2005, and 10,000 during November 2006. Similarly many Whiskered Terns may be seen during this period also. Highest numbers of Whiskered Terns recorded have been 20,000 in December 1995, and 10,000 in November 2006. S34 31 409 E146 26 354. |
Bittern Birdhide
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The birdhide overlooks portion of wetland specifically managed as habitat for Australasian Bitterns. The birdhide was constructed by the Fivebough and Tuckerbil Wetlands Trust in August 2007. |