The shallow estuary just east of Busselton is one of the most important waterbird sites in Western Australia and a Ramsar-listed wetland of international significance. In good years over 30,000 birds gather here — black swans, hardheads, banded stilts, sharp-tailed sandpipers fresh in from Siberia.
The best access is the Wonnerup Inlet bird-hide off Layman Road, with two timber observation platforms looking out over the open water. Bring binoculars. The wetlands work best from late winter through spring (August–November) when summer arrivals top up the resident population.