Hundreds of nature-lovers braved a scorcher to visit the valuable Jerrabomberra Wetlands at its open day on Sunday.
Families spotted dozens of bird species on guided walks, took part in indigenous cultural activities or simply sat back (in the shade) and enjoyed some live music.
The event, held on World Wetlands Open Day, also boasted fire crew demonstrations, art exhibitions and an array of stalls.
Violet Pipe waited patiently in line to have her face-painted while dressed in an adorable blue tutu.
Her mother Melina said the three-year-old had just learned what a wetland was.
"It was exciting for her to learn as it's important for her to understand how things work and the importance of nature," she said.
"We didn't check the weather forecast beforehand... but even in the heat, it was still better to get out and about than sit at home."
Wetlands Trust program manager and event organiser Lori Gould said the Jerrabomerra Wetlands was one of Canberra's hidden gems, despite being so close to the city.
She said it was one of the most important wetland areas in the region due to its diversity.
"They are known as a novel ecosystem as supposed to a natural ecosystem, so they are formed partly from the damming of the lake. So there is fuel from Parliament House here, there was an old railway fill here, there were World War One trenches, there was dairy around. It's a crazy mix," Ms Gould said.
"Just by its very formation it is actually home to 160 species of birds, which is half of those found in the whole region including migratory birds like Latham's Snipe."
Sandra Henderson from the Canberra Ornithologists Group said she spotted about 50 bird species while on the morning guided tour.
The not-for-profit Woodlands and Wetlands Trust runs a range of tours including Twilight Tours at Mulligans Flat, the Science in the Sanctuary forum, guided Kids Walks during school holidays and Wildflower Walks in Spring.
While Canberrans at the wetland's open day or elsewhere outdoors faced a top of 36-degrees on Sunday, they could expect some fleeting relief from the heat in the middle of next week.
The Bureau of Meteorology forecast a top of 33 degrees on Monday with a medium chance of showers in the afternoon and evening.
Maximum temperatures were tipped to fall to 25 on Tuesday and 26 Wednesday, before climbing back to 35 on Thursday, 38 on Friday and and a sweltering 41 next Saturday.