Boardwalks - QLD, Elanora Wetlands Habitat

Elanora Wetlands Habitat is a Gold Coast City Council (GCCC) reserve in the upstream estuarine reaches of Tallebudgera Creek. Adjacent to tidal wetlands, a scenic walking track follows the perimeter of the Water Quality Control Centre (WQCC). There are excellent views of mangroves and saltmarsh vegetation along the track where they form a thin fringe along the creek. There are useful interpretive signs with information on flora and fauna along the walk. Although the site does not have a boardwalk through mangroves, it does offer comparable, valuable opportunities for education, monitoring and recreation. The possible addition of selected boardwalk sections in the future would further enrich the experience while better protecting vulnerable parts of this wetland reserve. The creek has high habitat complexity in the form of snags, roots and rock ledges / overhangs off the bank. Lots of small fish use the rock overhang habitat. The reserve and surrounds are home to many species of birds, native furry animals, and reptiles. A number of animals depend also on hollow tree braches and fallen logs.

The reserve offers a place for swimming and recreation with a rope swing suspended from a large eucalypt tree on the bank. It is a bit stinky at times due to close proximity of the WQCC, but this doesn’t seem to deter the locals. The site was also an important cultural site for the local Kombumerri / Bunjalung people who left in the sand, the remains of ancient meals– as middens of oyster shell deposits found while revegetation and weed eradication projects were being undertaken by Greening Australia, Coastcare, GCCC and Elanora Wetlands Bushcare Group. From the walk, there are views of Tallebudgera Creek framed by areas of bushland regeneration. Restoration began in 2000.

Elanora Wetlands Habitat		Google Earth: 28°07’00.09 S; 153°26’33.13 E

Location Details
Distance/length: 400 m one way.
Location: Elanora Water Quality Control Centre (WQCC),Tallebudgera Creek, Gold Coast.
Walking Time: 30-40 min. stroll.
Address: Tallebudgera Drive, Elanora.
Directions: Follow Tallebudgera Drive to the end of the road and follow the small access road under the Pacific Motorway to the Elanora Water Quality Control Centre.
Contact: For more information contact the Gold Coast City Council or Elanora Wetlands Bushcare Group.

Facilities

Contributors
Kurt Derbyshire and Rebecca Batton (Fowler), Queensland Department Primary Industry & Fisheries, Marine Fish Habitat Unit (11/12/2006)