Tasmania · Attraction
Tamar Island Wetlands Centre
Birdwatch on a river island boardwalk
schedule 1 min read / Updated Jun 2026
The Tamar Island Wetlands Centre sits just ten minutes north of Launceston on the West Tamar Highway and gives visitors easy access to sixty hectares of tidal wetlands that support around sixty bird species. A 1.5-kilometre wheelchair-accessible boardwalk stretches out across the reed beds to Tamar Island itself, where a bird hide overlooks the estuary. Entry is by donation, and the boardwalk is open year-round from sunrise to sunset.
The Tamar Island Wetlands Reserve is part of the Tamar River Conservation Area and is recognised by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area, notably for its populations of pied oystercatchers and chestnut teals. The boardwalk threads through stands of common reed, tea-tree and paperbark, and patient visitors are rewarded with sightings of black swans, herons, cormorants and, if lucky, the occasional sea eagle overhead. The Wildcare volunteer-operated interpretation centre (open Wednesday to Sunday) offers displays on the wetland ecosystem and guided walks during peak season.
Recent infrastructure upgrades have replaced ageing bridges and boardwalk sections, making the walking experience smoother and safer than in previous years. Facilities on site include accessible toilets, picnic tables and barbecues on Tamar Island, making this a pleasant spot for a family picnic as well as a serious birdwatching outing. Dogs are not permitted in the reserve, preserving the calm that makes wildlife encounters here so reliable.
Scenic views
Lookouts near Tamar Island Wetlands Centre.
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