07/09/2026
There are just a few days per year where this happens; the race is on at the ponds of Redman Bluff Wetlands at Grampians Paradise Camping and Caravan Parkland…
A female loaded with eggs is hearing the call of the keen males. It’s an amazing soundscape with what sounds like thousands of Pobblebonk Frogs calling, filling the air with an amphibian symphony of wonder and anticipation.
The expectant mum makes her way to the ponds, a journey she must undertake at night, for it is a perilous path, one full of risk for frog who’s slowly hopping. She must be careful to outsmart those who would love to eat her; for she is a nutritious meal, full of tasty eggs. Mrs Pobblebonk frog does not need to worry about the Kookaburras at night (they are daytime hunters), though she had better hope the Tawny Frogmouth or even the Black Ducks do not spot her. Her strategy; she is very good at freezing dead still to hide in plain sight, and then when finally in one of the ponds, she will dive out of sight in a moment’s notice to escape danger.
Now it is time to choose her mate. He and his competitors are calling from their safe hiding spots in amongst the tangle of wetland plants emerging from the water in the pond, as they try to keep out of sight of those that would like to eat them too. She listens, and chooses a mate. He grasps her in a cuddle call “Amplexus”, at last she is able to lay her eggs. He fertilises them as she froths the water, eggs and s***m into a foamy mass that protects her soon to be tadpoles for the first couple of days of their lives. Her parenting job is done, the urgent call to breed answered, and now it is time for her to return home to her feeding grounds (for she does not live in the ponds). But once again she must face the danger of the journey… At least her babies now have a chance at life.
And so the cycle of life is complete, and the chorus of frog calls will soon diminish. But while it is on, it is one of the most amazing nature soundscapes you will ever hear. Make sure you listen to the video in this post, or better still come here to immerse yourself in the surround sound of frogs in our Redman Bluff Wetlands at Grampians Paradise Camping and Caravan Park. But you will need to come at exactly the right time of year (call us to find out if they are calling). It is a treat to behold.
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NOTE: At Grampians Paradise, Pobblebonk frog calling season starts somewhere in late August or during September. This year it started on the 3th September 2026. While in a dry year the Pobblebonk calling season may only last 4 days, this year it is wet, and this means it will be a longer calling season. The Pobblebonk calls may last for another week or two or a little more. If you want to experience this wonder of nature for yourself this year, now is the time to get to Grampians Paradise.
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Photos, video and nature sound recording of the Pobblebonk Frogs were all captured on the night of the 3rd September 2026 by Aidan Banfield in Redman Bluff Wetlands at Grampians Paradise.
