Distillery Creek Ephemeral Wetlands (Aireys Inlet)
A very short walk leads to the Distillery Creek Wetland, which is a shallow, freshwater wetland. It is an ephemeral wetland, meaning that it dries out periodically. Winter and spring rains are needed to ensure its existence.
Walk Summary
Starting Point: Upper car park at Distillery Creek Picnic Ground
Time and Distance: 300 m return (10 minutes plus time to look for birds)
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Walk Notes
Begin the walk at the sign behind the picnic tables and barbecues in the upper Distillery Creek Picnic Ground.
At the start of the track there is a stand of Varnish Wattle that flowers from July through to the springtime. July is also a good time to start looking along the sides of the track for the various greenhoods that grow in the area. The Nodding Greenhoods, Blunt Greenhoods, Dwarf Greenhoods, Tall Greenhoods and Maroonhoods flower in late winter and early spring, and are a feature of the area.
The ironbark trees and the grasses growing amongst them are most attractive, and there are many Sweet Bursaria shrubs that flowers in the summer. As you cross the short boardwalk you may see the holes in the soil made by the land yabbies that live in the moist area. You will come to a seat and information board that overlooks the wetlands. This information board was produced by the Friends of Eastern Otways in 1998. It was previously housed in the Bird Hide that was erected on the edge of the wetlands. Unfortunately, the Bird Hide fell into disrepair, and it was decided not to replace it. The seat and information board were erected instead. Look for some of the creatures illustrated on the information board. Nesting boxes were also erected by the Friends group in an effort to encourage birds to nest in the area.
Regardless of whether you manage to see any water or wildlife, you will gain a view of the Painkalac Valley, perhaps with flowering rushes, and quite a spectacular backdrop of tall eucalypts, Moonah and Prickly-Tea-tree.
Retrace your steps to the car park and perhaps take the signed track, just 50m, to the Amphitheatre. It is another beautiful place for sitting, looking and listening.
How to Get There
Turn off the Great Ocean Road at Bambra Road, just east of the bottom shops in Aireys Inlet. Follow the bitumen road alongside the Painkalac Creek Valley for 2.5 km and then turn left at junction of Bambra Road and Distillery Creek Road.
The lower car park and picnic area is on the right-hand side and the upper car park and picnic area on the left-hand side has an information board and toilets. Both have picnic tables and wood-fired barbecues (supply your own wood).
Guide to Walks in the Great Otway National Park Eastern Section
You can also purchase a full colour booklet produced by the Friends of Eastern Otways containing detailed track notes and maps for 38 walks in the area from Great Escape Books in Aireys Inlet, the Anglesea News & Lotto or the Angair website.
Location
115 Bambra Road, Aireys Inlet 3231 View Map
Web Links
→ Friends of Eastern Otways
→ feo.org.au/walks/walk-15-distillery-creek-ephemeral-wetlands/
