A stunning glimpse of the return of Walker Swamp, as we wait to see what the winter months will bring

The rains we’ve been enjoying in this part of the country over recent weeks have been sufficient to generate a little bit of local runoff into the deepest part of Walker Swamp.

NGT’s own Greg Kerr was out there in recent days and captured the stunning scene we are able to share below, also showing that the local Black Swan population is very pleased to see some water back in the landscape!

The wider catchment for Walker Swamp on the plains to the east of the Grampians isn’t yet wet enough to get the local artificial drains flowing, and this is what needs to occur to give us a chance of seeing another filling event for both Walker Swamp and the network of associated, interconnected wetlands across the NGT Reserve.

Needless to say, we’re hoping that – despite the recent El Niño declaration – we might still see some decent follow-up rains this winter to make this a reality, and trigger the amazing biodiversity response that this important wetland area is noted for.

The photo below, taken after the last major flow event in Spring 2022, gives us a taste of the wider conditions possible across the Reserve that we hope to see again soon.

Time will tell, but at least the season is off to a solid start this year!