Spot birdlife in the Goondiwindi Botanic Gardens and Lake Coolmunda
Dreamed up by a WWII fighter pilot and keen field naturalist by the name of Cecil “Tiny” Cameron, the first trees were planted at the Goondiwindi Botanic Gardens in 1988. Since then, this 25-hectare community-run Botanic Garden has flourished into a prized local gem.
The garden is filled with hundreds of species of Australian trees, shrubs and grasses native to the Upper Darling Basin region. Keep an eye out for special plants like the wheel of native grasses, Aboriginal food and medicine plants and collection of saltbushes.
One of the best trails is the short, 1.5-kilometre loop around the central lake. In the middle of the five-hectare lagoon is a nesting island that attracts native wood ducks, pelicans and spoonbills to name a few. Keen birdwatchers should keep an eye out for some of the 152 bird species that have been sighted in the gardens.
Those with four-legged friends will be glad to hear that dogs are welcome to wander off leash along all trails.
Make a day of it and bring a picnic to enjoy on the lawns or food to grill on the free electric barbecues. On a hot summer’s day the lake is a popular spot for swimming, as is Lake Coolmunda at Inglewood (pictured) where walkers mix with water-skiiers and families enjoying a picnic.