THE Winton Wetlands are teeming with native birdlife, wildlife and plants, offering easy access via a range of guided walking and cycling trails that highlight different aspects of the unique wetlands ecosystem.

Recently designated as a 'Wetland of Distinction' by the US–based Society of Wetland Scientists, Winton Wetlands is the first wetland outside the United States to receive such recognition.

A wetland is an area of land that is covered by water for some or all of the year.

It can often rise and fall with the seasons and climate conditions, as it does with Winton Wetlands.

Wetlands create ideal conditions for a wide variety of birds and other wildlife, and for important native plant species to breed.

Wetlands play a vital role in maintaining a healthy and balanced environment for all life – including people.

In many ways they are a showroom and laboratory for nature.

A day spent at Winton Wetlands can be fun as well as educational.

Aside from the joys of nature, there's a café and visitor centre where you can chill out and enjoy some of the best food and coffee in the region.

For the kids and young at heart there's even a flying fox and playground.

And if art and culture are your thing, there's outdoor art to be found around the reserve, and a fantastic new outdoor Art Trail being developed by local Yorta Yorta and other artists (opening during 2022).

Winton Wetlands has become a site for television and movie production in recent years, with the atmospheric gothic backdrop offered by hundreds of ghostly trees still standing on the area once occupied by the former Lake Mokoan.

If you want to stay longer, camping is an option (bookings required) and the views you get of the night sky above are simply unforgettable.

You haven't really seen all that North East Victoria has to offer till you've done a Winton Wetlands walkabout.