From the Australian War Memorial drive east along Fairbairn Av., after 3.5 km turn right at the traffic lights and continue through the roundabout onto the Monaro Highway. At 6 km veer left to Fyshwick then, at the lights, turn right under the overpass and continue straight on into Dairy Rd. There is a carpark at the end of this road at 1C on UBD map 70 (35 18 49 S; 149 09 45 E or -35.313261, 149.162348 on Google Maps).
South of the carpark is Kelly swamp. Take the left hand pathway to the Bittern and Cygnus bird hides. The plantings that screen the swamp are good for Double-barred and Red-browed Finch and Yellow-rumped Thornbill. From the hides you will see Black Duck, Eurasian Coot, Dusky Moorhen and Purple Swamphen. Pelican, Grey Teal, Pink-eared Duck and Australasian Shoveller are also likely. If you carefully watch the reedbeds long enough you may see Baillon’s and Spotted Crakes.
Continue south along the path to an open grassy patch and then downhill to the southern end of Kelly swamp. The mudflat here is good for Black-fronted and Red-Kneed Dotterels. Latham’s Snipe can often be found here during summer. Carefully scan the vegetation at the edge of the mud for this elusive bird. In the tall weeds surrounding this area look for Clamorous Reed-Warbler, Golden-headed Cisticola, Little Grassbird, and European Goldfinch.
Note 1/1/2014: The Fyshwick Sewage Treatment Works are closed to visitors until further notice, so visitors must not follow the instructions for access to the works. It is possible to partly view some of the sewage ponds from alongside Dairy Road (the road to Kelly Swamp).
Entry to the Fyshwick sewage ponds must be made through the main entrance at the southern end of Dairy Rd. At the top of the hill you will find a pedestrian gate and a metal box containing a visitors book (and map). Sign the book and go downhill to the four nearest aeration ponds. These provide the best birding. Scan through the many Hardheads for Blue-billed Duck. Ponds 4 and 6 always have a few Blue-billed Ducks present. Here you will also find Hoary-headed Grebes and probably Australasian Shoveller, Pink-eared Duck, Chestnut Teal. Little Grassbirds can often be heard in the reeds.
