The Spectacles, Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The SpectaclesPerth, Western Australia |
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The view over the Spectacles Wetlands from Biara lookout
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| Postcode(s) | 6167 | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 4.7 km2 (1.8 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | City of Kwinana | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Kwinana | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Brand | ||||||||||||||
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The Spectacles is a special area in Perth, Western Australia. It's mostly a large wetland nature reserve. A wetland is a place where the land is covered by water, like a swamp or marsh. This area is surrounded by native bushland, which is a type of forest. You can also find a few houses in one small part of The Spectacles.
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Discover The Spectacles
The Spectacles wetland is a very important part of Kwinana's natural environment. It covers a huge area of about 3.7 square kilometres. That's like 370 football fields! This place is named "The Spectacles" because it looks like a pair of glasses when you see it from above. This is because it has two main lakes connected by a small channel.
Why Is It Called The Spectacles?
Imagine looking down from an airplane. The two lakes and the connecting drain really do look like a pair of eyeglasses! This unique shape is how the area got its fun name.
Protecting Nature
A company called Alcoa owns about one-third of The Spectacles. Originally, this land was meant for something else. However, people soon realized how valuable these wetlands were for nature. So, Alcoa helped make the area better for wildlife and visitors.
They spent money to restore the land and make it a great place for people to visit. They added parking areas, picnic spots, and special paths for walking and cycling. There are also boardwalks that let you walk over the water without disturbing the plants and animals. You can even find bird hides, which are special shelters where you can watch different kinds of native birds, like the rufous night heron, without being seen.
Exploring the Wetlands
The Spectacles actually has two main wetlands. These are the southernmost wetlands within the larger Beeliar Regional Park. The area is surrounded by beautiful banksia woodland, which is a type of forest with unique Australian trees.
A lot of effort has gone into making The Spectacles easy to explore. Over $250,000 has been spent to create many different walking trails, helpful signs, and boardwalks. These paths allow you to discover the beauty of the wetlands and learn about the plants and animals that live there. It's a fantastic place to connect with nature!
