Slow Down & Tune In: The Wetland & Woodland Wander at Illawong Nature Reserve
The Wetland & Woodland Wander Bower
Just to the west of The Bower at Broulee lies a pocket of living tranquillity where ancient riverbeds meet clay-stone ridges and wetlands sparkle with life. The Wetland & Woodland Wander is a 2.2 km guided loop (allow 1½–2 hours) designed for unhurried discovery. Binoculars in hand, you’ll move through two distinct ecosystems, pausing often to let nature reveal its quiet wonders.
The Wetland & Woodland Wander Bower – Trail Highlights
Section | Sights & Sounds | Moments to Savour |
| Pond Edge | Waterbirds skimming the surface; dragonflies hovering like living jewels | Notice how reed beds give way to towering gums in the space of a few steps. |
| Bushland Rise | Banksias, scribbly gums and native grasses underfoot | Rub a crushed banksia cone between your fingers and breathe in its earthy scent. |
| Wetland Fringe | Butterflies, wallabies, turtles and delicate fungi | Listen for the plop of an eastern long-neck turtle slipping from a log. |
| Giant’s Stand | The second-largest girth of a gum in NSW – 11 m around the base! | Lean back, look up and feel your own heartbeat slow to match the forest’s. |
Along the way your guide will point out post bushfire nesting boxes high in the canopy, bloodwoods weeping crimson sap, and nocturnal traces of yellow-bellied gliders. Expect plenty of stops for microscope-ready observations, field-guide chats and quiet reflection.
Practicalities
- Duration: 1½–2 hours at an easy pace
- Distance: 2.2 km loop on mostly level ground
- What to bring: Closed-toe shoes, hat, water bottle and curiosity – we’ll supply the binoculars
- Meeting point: Illawong Nature Reserve main car park (maps provided in your Bower)
Wetland & Woodland Wander Bower
Reconnect at The Bower
When you return, your private Bower awaits: a king bed turned down, double spa ready to fill, and the forest soundtrack drifting through open doors. It’s exactly why we, Sue & Mark, built this sanctuary over 30 years ago – so couples could come to their senses in the elegance of the bush.
The 2019 fires tested our resolve, yet the land has regenerated in breathtaking ways. Each Bower has been lovingly restored with even more comfort – think wood-fireplaces, heated floors and skylights for stargazing from bed. Every stay supports our ongoing bush-care projects and local wildlife monitoring, including the very nesting boxes you’ll see on the Wander.
Make It a Long Weekend of Wonder
Day 1: Check in, light the fire, share a local cheese board on your veranda.
Day 2: Dawn beach stroll at Broulee, then the Wetland & Woodland Wander. Return for in-room couples’ massage.
Day 3: Sleep in, late checkout, and perhaps a dip with the resident Broulee dolphins before you head home renewed.
Ready to Ramble?
Book your stay directly with us and we’ll arrange your guided walk (limited spots, 24-hour notice recommended). Mention #IllawongWander when you reserve and receive a complimentary sunset grazing platter on arrival.
Let the forest slow your pulse, the wetland sharpen your senses, and the seclusion of The Bower rekindle your connection.
Book Your Escape | +61 4 0483 9690
Written from The Bower at Broulee, South Coast NSW – where luxury meets serenity and nature writes the love stories.
Wetland & Woodland Wander Bower (Illawong Nature Reserve)
Slip straight from your private deck onto a 2.2 km loop where ancient riverbed meets clay-stone ridge. Your guide punctuates the walk with “NatureFix” breathing stops, fungi finds and stories of yellow-bellied gliders. Mid-way, stand beneath NSW’s second-largest gum—11 metre girth of living cathedral—and feel the forest lower your pulse. Binoculars supplied for the guided walk; closed-toe shoes recommended.
Broulee Island Coastal Adventure
A narrow sand-spit delivers you to a protected island ringed with granite platforms and turquoise pools. NPWS rangers reveal rock-shelf critters, migrating whales and the cultural significance of Broulee to Yuin people. Ideal for couples and photographers craving golden-hour light on rusty cliffs.