The Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary was established in 1989 through a partnership between the Maroochy Shire Council, Education Queensland and the community of the Sunshine Coast. This partnership was designed to conserve this special place that sees the land and the river meeting the sea to form complex and delicate ecosystems. Members of the local community recognised the importance of contributing to the conservation of this unique area and subsequently formed a support grouped named the Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary Support Group Inc. (MWSSGI).
The Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary Support Group Inc. began on Sunday 8th April 1990 with the sounds of shovels sliding into the earth as around 30 passionate volunteers planted trees and then took a walk along the site of a proposed boardwalk. Since this humble start the ongoing dedication and momentum of the MWSSGI has achieved some remarkable feats such as the transportation of a cane cutters barracks to the site and refurbishing it into an education centre, building an educational theatrette and constructing a boardwalk down to the Maroochy River. To complement these site improvements devoted members of MWSSGI have staffed the education centre every Sunday in order to share their enthusiasm and knowledge of plants and animals with visitors to the Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary.
The Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary is located at Bli Bli, around 1.5hrs north of Brisbane. The area is rich in biodiversity and contains dry eucalypt forests, rainforest, melaleuca forest, casuarina woodland, salt marsh and mangroves. It is interesting to note that one of south east Queensland’s largest stands of Mangrove Fern, Acrostichum speciosum, grows amongst the melaleucas. There are also 200 species of birds, as well as crabs, butterflies, reptiles, fish and other wildlife species that frequent the wetlands. On your visit please remember that all plants and animals are protected and cannot be removed from the wetlands sanctuary.
Domestic animals are also prohibited.