If you have a passion for the outdoors, then the tranquil surrounds of the Tahbilk Wetlands & Wildlife Reserve is not to be missed. Take a stroll along more than 4kms of dedicated Tahbilk Eco Trails pathways and boardwalks, or sit back and enjoy the wetlands with a guided commentary from your Captain on a Tahbilk Eco Cruise with the option to hop off and explore or stay on board and just enjoy the ride.

Tahbilk Eco Cruise & Walk

The Eco Cruises take 45 mins to complete a round trip. The boats are purpose designed for our visitors and are powered by electric-driven, environmentally friendly, motors.  Each boat is registered to carry 30 passengers in under-cover all-weather comfort.
Scroll down for FREE Tahbilk Eco Cruise dates 

Opening Hours

Tahbilk Eco Trails
Open 7 days a week (Closed Christmas Day and days of Total Fire Ban)
Weekdays: 11.00am to 4.00pm
Weekends & Public Holidays: 11.00 am to 4.00pm

Entry is by gold coin donation and children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Tahbilk Eco Cruise
Take a 45 minute guided tour through the Tahbilk lagoons in the undercover comfort of our eco friendly electric powered boat.
The Tahbilk Eco Cruises run on weekends and Public Holidays only, departing from below the Tahbilk Cafe's outer deck at 1.00pm & 2.30pm

Enjoy a FREE Tahbilk Eco Cruise - 1.00pm & 2.30pm - on the following dates

MAY

Saturday May 4th
Sunday May 5th

Saturday May 11th
Sunday May 12th 

Saturday May 18th
Sunday May 19th

Saturday May 25th
Sunday May 26th 

Please Note

The following applies when walking the Tahbilk Eco Trails or taking an Eco Cruise:

  • Before entering, and after leaving, you must complete the Visitors Register at the Tahbilk Cafe.
    On Tuesdays & Wednesdays when the Cafe is closed, the Visitors Register will be available at Cellar Door. 
  • Appropriate footwear is necessary if you are planning a walk or taking a cruise - bare feet, thongs or open shoes are not permitted
  • You must stay on designated pathways
  • All rubbish is to be taken away with you

We would also recommend that you:

  • Carry drinking water
  • Use sunscreen
  • Wear a hat
  • Be aware and beware of snakes
  • Smoking, picnics, alcohol and dogs are not permitted

About us.....

The Tahbilk Wetlands (Eco Trails and Eco Cruise) cover a wetlands environment classified by the Department of Sustainability and Environment as a Deep Freshwater Marsh - wetlands that generally remain inundated to a depth of 1 to 5 metres throughout the year.

Tahbilk Billabongs

Wetlands are productive and valuable ecosystems that contribute to the health of waterways. Acting as vast filters, they take runoff, extracting sediments, recycling nutrients, oxygenating the water and releasing these gradually back into the system. Wetlands areas support a large and unique variety of native plants, invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.

In Victoria only 2% of the state is covered by wetlands areas, yet they sustain 30% of the state's threatened species and 10% of our threatened reptiles and water birds.

The wetlands at Tahbilk sustain a significant breeding population of the endangered freshwater Catfish (tandanus tandanus) and is also home to the Small Scurf Pea (Cullen parvum) - an endangered plant found in only eight other locations in Victoria.

                    Fresh Water Catfish

The Tahbilk lagoons harbour another threatened species the Watershield Lily (Brasenia schrebi), as well as other native floras of significance include the Variable Glycine (Glycine tabacina s.l) and the Daisy Pale Everlasting (Helichrysum rutidolepis) which before April 2008 had not previously been recorded in the area.

Native Lily

Indigenous Australians have always been acutely aware of the abundance and diversity of life in wetlands areas and the rich food resources available there.