The Winton Wetlands has a fascinating back story. Once known as Winton (Mokoan) Swamp, it was flooded in 1971 to create Lake Mokoan, which then became popular with the locals for recreation (fishing, sailing), and the farmers for irrigation. Sometimes the lake dried out, and at other times it was subject to blue-green algae outbreaks So those in charge decided it wasn’t worth the hassle, and not without strong local opposition, it was decommissioned and drained in 2010. Nowadays the unique wetland is finding its own rhythm with sections with walking/cycling paths, camping, and a welcoming visitors centre/cafe, Mokoan Hub and Cafe. The view of the wetlands from the Hub (use the complimentary binoculars) is of 150-odd-thousand river red gums that were lost in the flooding, and have now emerged as ghosts of their former selves. As it’s early at the Hub, the scones are exceptionally fresh and fluffy and have a creamy texture. They are large enough that I only need to order one, which is a shame as these a worth filling up on. The raspberry jam is rich and fruity, and it rarely gets better than this. The cream is thickly whipped and there’s enough of both to cover the scone generously. It’s good to know that every dollar spent at the cafe supports cafe operation and ongoing site restoration of the Winton Wetlands habitat.
Scones: 
Jam:
Cream:
Tea: A basic range of loose-leaf teas served in a small teapot.
Price: $$
Overall: A fascinating and beautiful wetlands that feels like it’s in the middle of nowhere.
Location: Winton Wetlands,
Ph: 03 5766 4462 wintonwetlands.org.au
Reviewed December, 2017
