Lexi Webster
The platypus, one of Australia's most curious and beloved creatures, is endemic to eastern Australia. Platypuses are semi-aquatic, egg-laying monotremes that inhabit a diverse array of freshwater habitats across the country. They can be found in rivers, lakes, and streams, from the coastal regions to the Australian Alps. While they are naturally shy and elusive, there are several prime locations in Australia where you can spot them in their natural habitat.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Countries | Australia |
| States | Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia |
| Cities | Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane |
| Rivers | Yarra, Plenty, Torrens, Onkaparinga, Murray, Tyenna, Mole Creek, River Leven, Meander, Yarra, Warandyte |
| Lakes | Lake Barrine, Milla Milla Falls, Lake Elizabeth, Lake Alexandrina |
| Mountains | Cradle Mountain, Mount Field |
| National Parks | Flinders Chase National Park, Great Otway National Park, Warrandyte State Park, Healesville Sanctuary, Atherton Tablelands, Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park |
| Time of Day | Dawn, dusk, early morning, late evening |
| Tour Operators | Sydney Bespoke Tours, FNQ Nature Tours, Premier Travel Tasmania, Echidna Walkabout Nature Tours, Tassie Bound |
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What You'll Learn
Tasmania: Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, Mt Field National Park
Tasmania is one of the best places to find platypuses. The iconic species can be spotted in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park and Mt Field National Park.
Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park
Towards Cradle Mountain, Mole Creek is a popular stop for its caves and platypuses. Loongana is another good option, with plenty of platypuses living along the River Leven. Taylor's Flats picnic area is a particularly good place to spot them. If you're staying overnight, try the Mountain Valley Wilderness Retreat. The Meander River at Deloraine in the north is another good spot.
Mt Field National Park
The Tyenna River is a very popular home for platypuses, especially around Mt Field National Park. You can take a two-to-three-hour Paddle with the Platypus tour, run by Tassie Bound, which takes you in kayaks down the river to the best places to see these water mammals.
The best times to see platypuses are at dawn and dusk, so it's worth timing your visit to give yourself the best chance of success. They are shy and sensitive to perceived dangers, so it's important to be quiet. Look for bulls-eye or v-shaped ripples, which likely signal the presence of a platypus.
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Atherton Tablelands, Queensland
The Atherton Tablelands, located in Tropical North Queensland, is a lush region of highlands, forests, and sprawling scenery that is renowned for its rich biodiversity and stunning landscapes. This makes it one of the best places to see platypuses in the wild in Australia.
Platypuses are extremely elusive and hard to find as they are nocturnal, fast, shy, quiet, and endangered. They are semi-aquatic, egg-laying monotremes that showcase a rare combination of traits from mammals, birds, and reptiles. Classified as mammals, they have a duck-like bill and webbed feet, and they lay eggs like reptiles. Platypuses are endemic to eastern Australia, inhabiting freshwater habitats from sea level to elevations near the top of the Australian Alps.
The Atherton Tablelands, nestled in the highlands southwest of Cairns, offer a blend of lush rainforests, volcanic lakes, wetlands, and savanna country. This diverse landscape provides a prime environment for spotting platypuses. FNQ Nature Tours provides guided tours that explore the most beautiful locations within the Atherton Tablelands, increasing your chances of spotting these unique creatures.
To enhance your chances of spotting platypuses in the Atherton Tablelands, there are a few tips and locations to keep in mind. Platypuses tend to swim low in the water, with only a small part of their bodies visible above the surface. Look out for the bow wave produced by their paddling front feet. Tarzali Lakes at Minbun, home to the Australian Platypus Park, offers guided tours with a qualified ranger. The viewing platform in Yungaburra above Peterson Creek is another prime spot, with the town's tourism information centre posting daily sightings. The best viewing times are typically at dawn and dusk, and you may also spot other animals such as snakes or turtles.
While platypus spotting is a thrilling experience in the Atherton Tablelands, there are other attractions to enjoy in this gorgeous area. You can explore the ancient Cathedral Fig Tree in the Danbulla State Forest, take a dip in waterfalls like Millaa Millaa Falls, or join day trips and tours that showcase the region's natural beauty and culture.
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Victoria: Yarra and Plenty Rivers, Lake Elizabeth
Victoria is home to several platypus habitats. The confluence of the Yarra and Plenty Rivers near Melbourne is a good place to spot them. The Yarra River at Warrandyte State Park is another option, as is the Little Yarra River in Yarra Junction and the Plenty River in South Morang. The best time to see a platypus is at dawn or dusk, so be sure to bring binoculars and time your visit accordingly.
Warburton on the Yarra River is another spot to see platypuses. They are elusive, but guests at the Warburton Holiday Park have reported sightings. The best time to spot them is at dusk or dawn when they leave their homes to search for shrimp and other small invertebrates.
Healesville Sanctuary is also an option for those looking to see platypuses in Victoria. You can book a close encounter and join the zookeepers to wade with the resident platypuses.
Lake Elizabeth in the Great Otway National Park is another great place to see platypuses in Victoria. The lake is located near Forrest, a small town in the Otway Ranges. Lake Elizabeth was formed after a flood in 1952 caused a mudslide to dam the river. The dam broke the following year, and the lake has been there ever since. A local tour operator, Bruce Jackson, offers canoe tours of the lake, where you can spot the platypuses that call it home. The best time to visit is during the low season when there are fewer people, and you might be the only one sharing the lake with the platypuses.
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Kangaroo Island
Platypuses are native to Australia, and their range extends along the east and southeast coast of mainland Australia, from western Victoria to as far north as Cooktown in Queensland. They can also be found in Tasmania, King Island, and Kangaroo Island.
In 2019-2020, bushfires severely impacted the island, and concerns arose about the impact on the platypus population. A survey conducted by researchers from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in 2021 found encouraging signs of recovery, with healthy juvenile and adult platypuses being trapped in the Rocky River area. The researchers noted that the fires' impact was still apparent, and the platypus population in some areas, such as the Platypus Waterholes and East Melrose Track, remained affected.
The UNSW team plans to return to Kangaroo Island to continue their survey and better understand the platypuses' recovery. The Kangaroo Island community and visitors are encouraged to report platypus sightings using the iNaturalist app to contribute to the understanding of the species' resilience and capacity to recover from extreme events.
Platypuses are considered rare in South Australia, and the population in their natural range, including the Murray River system, is functionally extinct. However, with patience and perseverance, it is possible to spot platypuses on Kangaroo Island and other parts of the state. The Platypus Waterholes Walk in Flinders Chase National Park offers viewing platforms and quiet resting spots where visitors can wait for a glimpse of these elusive creatures during dawn and dusk, when they are most active.
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East Gippsland
Local wildlife tour operators, such as Echidna Walkabout Nature Tours, offer multi-day itineraries that provide a great opportunity to spot platypuses. These tours usually cover a range of habitats, including rainforests, coastal areas, and rivers, allowing you to immerse yourself in the region's natural beauty while searching for platypuses and other unique wildlife species.
When exploring East Gippsland in search of platypuses, it is important to remember that they are semi-aquatic and are typically found in permanent river systems and lakes. The confluence of the Yarra and Plenty Rivers near Melbourne, the Yarra River at Warrandyte State Park, and Lake Elizabeth in the Great Otway National Park are all known to offer good chances of spotting platypuses.
Additionally, East Gippsland is home to a diverse array of wildlife beyond just platypuses. During your search, you may also encounter Yellow-bellied and Sugar Gliders, Swamp Wallabies, King Parrots, Eastern Whipbirds, and other fascinating creatures that call this region home. Remember that platypuses are naturally shy, so patience and persistence may be required to spot them in their natural habitat.
Overall, East Gippsland offers a unique opportunity to connect with nature and observe the iconic platypus in its natural environment, making it a memorable experience for wildlife enthusiasts and those seeking to explore the beauty of untouched nature in Australia.
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Frequently asked questions
Platypuses are generally found in permanent river systems and lakes in southern and eastern New South Wales, and east and west of the Great Dividing Range. They can also be found in Tasmania, Victoria, and Queensland.
In Tasmania, you can find platypuses in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park and Mt Field National Park. In Victoria, try Lake Elizabeth in the Great Otway National Park, or the Yarra River at Warrandyte State Park. In Queensland, head to the Atherton Tablelands, located in the highlands southwest of Cairns.
Platypuses are shy and mainly nocturnal, so you're most likely to spot them at dawn or dusk when they dive for food.
