waterholes

Welcome to Our Wetlands

Wetlands are often called swamps, dams or waterholes.

They’re areas of land that are either temporarily or permanently covered by water. They support a large variety of plant and animal species that are adapted to fluctuating water levels.

Wetlands are very useful. They enhance water quality, mitigate floods, provide refuges for wildlife in dry seasons and sustain grazing long after floods have receded.

They trap sediments and filter nutrients so they’ve been likened to the cleansing kidneys within the river systems.

Protecting the Ramsar wetland of Bowling Green Bay

Salt pans, mud and mangroves typify one of just five internationally-recognised wetlands in Queensland. Move away from the water and you're greeted by wonderful hoop pine, ghost gum and paperbark forests.

Bowling Green Bay, just south of Townsville between Cape Cleveland and Ayr is a very diverse place.

The 35,500 hectare beauty is also a Ramsar site - a world-wide conservation treaty that recognises important wetlands.