World Wetlands Day 2025

Happy World Wetlands Day!

Come celebrate World Wetlands Day at the Hunter Wetlands Centre on Sunday 2nd February 2025.

We've got a full morning of outdoor activities planned for our favourite day of the year! Explore the wonders of the wetlands through guided walks and talks, birdwatching and family-friendly activities. It's a great day to discover the beauty and importance of wetlands and to learn all about the work the Hunter Wetlands Centres is doing to protect these unique habitats for generations to come.

WWD Schedule: What's On at the Hunter Wetlands

6.00am - Early Bird Opening for Members

Catch the beautiful sunrise over the wetlands as in this special Members Only early bird opening.

7.30am - Breakfast with the Birds (Bookings Required $20pp)

Avid Birder Michele Maddock Keith will lead this early morning bird watching tour of our grounds and the egret rookery where you'll spot recent hatchlings.

9.30am - Guided Wetlands Walk & Morning Tea (Bookings Required $20pp)

Learn all about wetlands hydrology and our newest conservation project at the Wetlands in a guided walk by wetlands experts Dr Peter Nelson and Christine Prietto followed by a delicious Devonshire tea.

10.30am - Magpie Geese Feeding and Bird Talk (Free)

Meet our self appointed mascot Pi, the Magpie Goose and get an introduction to the wonderful world of wetlands waterbirds at our main pond scheduled feeding.

11.00am - Reptile Encounter Show (Tickets on the day $5pp )

Get up close and personal with our scaly and slithery reptilian residents at this hands-on show! Suitable for kids of all ages.

11.30am - Guided Canoe Tour (Bookings Required $30pp)

Explore our wetlands by water in this 1hr paddle. This guided tour will introduce you to the Hunter Estuary and find out about our newest conservation project at the Wetlands.

9.30am-12.00pm - Children's Activities (Drop in. Free!)

Our friends at Hunter Bird Observers Club have come up with some fantastic fun of the feathered kind for kids!

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Whether you're a nature enthusiast or just looking for a fun day out, there's something for everyone at the wetlands. Don't forget you're welcome to stay on and explore the wetlands on your own until 4pm. Bring a picnic, hire one of our BBQs or book a table at our Wetlands Cafe on 0403 537 211.

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What Is World Wetlands Day?

World Wetlands Day is celebrated every 2nd February - the anniversary of the signing of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. It's a day to raise awareness of the value of these precious and diverse ecosystems and to inspire people to act to help safeguard them. This year's theme "Protecting Wetlands for our Common Future" is about people joining together around the globe to protect wetlands. It coincides with the Ramsar Convention's 15th Conference to be held at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe in July.

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