Hunter Estuary Wetlands. 21/02/84; New South Wales; 3,388 ha; 32°51'S 151°46'E; Nature Reserve. The Site comprises the Kooragang Nature Reserve (designated as a Ramsar Site in 1984) and the Hunter Wetlands Centre Australia (added in 2002). The two are connected by a wildlife corridor consisting of Ironbark Creek, the Hunter River, and Ash Island. The Kooragang lies within the estuarine section of the Hunter River; habitats include mangrove forest, saltmarsh, saline pastures, Casuarina forest, brackish swamps, standing open water, sandflats, beaches and rock-retaining walls and ponds. The Site is of great importance for migratory waterbirds such as the Pacific Golden Plover (Pluvialis fulva) and Eastern curlew (Numenius madagascariensis). It also supports endangered bird species such as the Australasian Bittern (Botaurus poiciloptilus). The Nature Reserve is used primarily for ornithological, wetlands ecology and fisheries research together with bird watching, while surrounding areas are mainly for industrial, residential and transport purposes, water supply infrastructure and grazing. The site has historical significance for Aboriginal communities. Ramsar Site no. 287. Most recent RIS information: 2012.