Australia’s wetlands are some of the most productive and dynamic ecosystems in the country, shaped by seasonal flooding, shifting water levels and the movement of sediment across floodplains, estuaries and coastal margins. These environments support a rich mix of plants and animals that rely on the balance between wet and dry periods, creating habitats that change with rainfall, tides and climate.

Wetlands range from inland billabongs and riverine marshes to coastal mangroves, saltmarshes and freshwater swamps. Each area hosts species adapted to fluctuating water conditions, including reeds, sedges, melaleucas and the many birds, fish and invertebrates that depend on wetland vegetation for shelter and food. These ecosystems play an important role in filtering water, storing carbon and supporting migratory species across vast distances.

This section explores the diversity of Australia’s wetlands, highlighting how they function, how species interact within them and how these environments respond to natural cycles and long term change. Together these stories offer a grounded view of the ecological systems that shape Australia’s wetland landscapes.