Oaklands Wetland and Reserve

Only about 10 minutes from home, sandwiched between two busy roads, Sturt Road and Oaklands Road, is the Oaklands Wetland and reserve. The Wetlands were completed in 2013 and enable, every year, up to 200 million litres of stormwater to be cleaned before it’s used for irrigation at up to 30 council reserves. Over several stages an Education Centre has been built and various play and recreation areas added, making it a real community asset.

For me, the most appealing aspect is being able to meander along the paths through the bush environment and around the ponds where many different types of birds are perfectly at home.

Originally the land belonged to the Kearne family whose home was quite a mansion. Although the home is gone some trees planted by the family still remain.

Clicking on any image will make it full sized.

Kearne family home built in 1843

Palm Tree planted by original owners.

Old Olive Trees

Water is pumped from the Sturt River, rubbish is trapped and removed then the water passes through a series of ponds culminating in a calm lake.

In the background is busy Oaklands Road.

Beautiful big trees beside the water

Water is aerated as it tumbles over the rocks.

Beautiful peaceful setting

The bridge leads to a little island

Maintenance is ongoing – seedheads were being collected

Bullrushes help clean the water.

There are several different natural children’s play areas.

Seating made from an old tree

Sculptures near a play area

One of the play areas

You can hear birds calling constantly.

This nesting box seemed to be buzzing.

Squatters!

Rainbow Lorikeet feasting on Gum Blossom

Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo

Black Ducks, Purple Swamp Hens and Waterhens.

Definitely a lovely place to spend some time relaxing.

Onkaparinga Wetlands Loop Trail

South Australia has been very lucky in not having many cases of Covid19 but most people are still staying fairly close to home. Fortunately we have many great places to get out and about close to home, the Onkakapringa Recreation Park is about 20 kms from our place. We decided to take advantage of a lovely mid-winter day to check it out.

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Canoeists were out

People were fishing and keeping the recommended social distance

Beyond the river can just be seen the viaduct for the Seaford train line.

Egret

Walkers and Joggers were out and about

Rustling feathery grasses made a lovely sound.

Someone left a decorated rock to be found.

Frogs were calling in the backwater

Someone had fun building a shelter.

Female Superb Fairy Wren

Male Superb Fairy Wren

Button Quail

Sculpture?

Avocet

Cormorant get-together

Hand hewn post a relic of some old construction

Wallaby lying in the sunshine.