Mother of Ducks Lagoon birdwatching platform
Mother of Ducks Lagoon Nature Reserve
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Mother of Ducks Lagoon birdwatching platform.
Getting there and parking
Mother of Ducks Lagoon birdwatching platform is in Mother of Ducks Lagoon Nature Reserve. To get there:
- From Guyra CBD, drive south along Bradley Street.
- Turn west onto McKie Drive
- Proceed approximately 300m along McKie Drive to the signposted carpark located adjacent to the Guyra Golf Course
- The birdwatching platform is just a 300m walk to the west across the golf course and boardwalk
Road quality
- Sealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles (no long vehicle access)
Weather restrictions
- All weather
Parking
Parking is available in a small, signposted gravel parking area adjacent to McKie Drive. Access to the bird observation platform is via the golf course – a 300m walk.
RV camping is provided by Guyra Council and located 100m from the parking area on McKie Drive.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Mother of Ducks Lagoon Nature Reserve. Here are some of the highlights.
Autumn
Picnic at the edge of the lagoon and photograph colourful autumn leaves along with aquatic birds.
Spring
The reserve comes alive in spring, with plant life at full bloom. It's a great opportunity to go birdwatching and see the local birdlife thriving in their natural habitat.
Summer
Combine a birdwatching outing with a visit to Guyra's Lamb and Potato Festival held annually from mid-January. Alternatively, stop in at the reserve en route to the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
Winter
Pull out your thermals and be at the reserve for the arrival of the Japanese snipe. These wonderful migratory birds return to the reserve around August each year.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
10°C and 26°C
Highest recorded
31.1°C
Winter temperature
Average
-2°C and 12°C
Lowest recorded
-7.8°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
January
Driest month
April
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
108mm
Facilities
Drinking water is not available in this area, so it's a good idea to bring your own.
Picnic tables
Carpark
Step-free access
- The birdwatching platform and surrounding area is flat and step-free, but there are no pathways.
- You'll need to cross over flat grass to reach the bridge that leads to the bird hide and the picnic tables.
- There's a small lip to get onto the bridge from the surrounding grass.
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - medium
The birdwatching platform is step-free and mostly flat with some slight slopes in parts.
There are no pathways - you'll need to cross over flat grass to reach the picnic tables and the bridge that leads to the bird hide. There's a slight lip to get from the surrounding grass onto the bridge.
Prohibited
Pets
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Operated by
- Armidale office
- Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm.
- 02 6738 9100
- npws.nea@environment.nsw.gov.au
- 145 Miller Street, Armidale NSW 2350
Park info
- in Mother of Ducks Lagoon Nature Reserve in the Country NSW region
Mother of Ducks Lagoon Nature Reserve is always open.