Gippsland Lakes, Wetland reserve near Sale, Australia.
Gippsland Lakes is a network of coastal lagoons and marshes behind sand dunes in southeastern Victoria. The system covers about 60,000 hectares and forms Australia's largest estuarine landscape with shallow waters, islands, and extensive wetlands.
The area gained international recognition in 1982 when it was designated as a Ramsar site on the world's most important wetlands list. This recognition acknowledged the system's ecological value and its role for wildlife.
The Gunaikurnai people are the original inhabitants of these waters and manage them today through the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation. Their relationship with this place spans centuries and continues to shape how the lakes are used and protected.
The lakes offer various activities like boating, birdwatching, and fishing, with several access points along the coast. The best time to visit is during bird migration seasons when many species gather in the waters.
The lake system serves as a critical refuge during drought periods and provides habitat for more than 50,000 waterbirds. It is also home to the rare Growling Grass Frog, an amphibian species found only in this region.
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