Where To See A Platypus In The Wild

The platypus may be hard to spot, but they’re well worth the effort. Here are the places where you have the best shot.

Perhaps Australia’s most elusive national animal, the platypus is notoriously shy, making it much harder than, say, a kangaroo, to spot in the wild. Still, for those willing to take the time, there are plenty of places along Australia’s east coast where your efforts could be rewarded (and tours that can help make sure you’re looking in the right places).

Generally speaking, you’ll want to seek out creeks and rivers with banks that provide bush, rock and log cover for the platypus to hide in. It will have a good flow of water as well, to keep the water healthy and liveable. They’re most commonly found in eastern Queensland and New South Wales, eastern, central and southwestern Victoria and around Tasmania.

a platypus in tasmania — Spot a platypus along Australia’s east coast with this guide. (Image: Ash Thomson Photography)

How to spot a platypus in the wild

First things first, we need to discuss platypus spotting tactics. You could be approaching a whole paddle of platypuses and still not see a single one if you don’t play your cards right. For starters, make sure you’re arriving at the right time of day – dawn and dusk are usually the sweet spots – and be as quiet as possible as they’re very sensitive to perceived dangers.

After that, it’s about keeping a sharp eye out. Look for bulls-eye or v-shaped ripples that likely signal the presence of a platypus. And don’t get them mixed up with water rats – platypuses have shorter, rounder tails and travel for longer on the water’s surface.

The season can also affect your chances of success, especially as you head further south. Platypuses need more food to keep themselves warm, so winter and early spring mean colder temperatures and more time outside during daylight hours to hunt.

Now without further ado, here’s our round-up of where to see a platypus in the wild, if you’re feeling lucky.

platypus creating ripples as it swims in a victorian river — Look for bulls-eye or v-shaped ripples made by a platypus.

1. Victoria

In central Victoria, Loddon and Campaspe rivers are both known as lucky places to spot a platypus – just look for the quiet bends of the rivers. It’s also worth looking at the creeks and rivers around Snowy River National Park and the Alpine National Park. They’re harder to spot here but do call it home.

campers by Campaspe River in Victoria — Camp by Campaspe River for the best chance of spotting a platypus at dawn or dusk.

One of the best places to spot them in Victoria is in Great Otway National Park’s Lake Elizabeth. Located a 10-minute drive from Forrest, it was made when a valley was flooded over 50 years ago. Today, the tree remnants provide plenty of places for a platypus to take cover. Optimise your chances by joining Otway Eco Tours Paddle With The Platypus itinerary . Be guided in a canoe, checking all the best spots for platypus (they claim a 95 per cent sighting success rate), while also listening to local birdlife chirping and staying for the glow worms at dusk.

Canoe around the misty Lake Elizabeth with Otway Eco Tours.

2. New South Wales

The national parks of New South Wals are a smorgasbord for platypuses – but you’ll still need a skilled eye to catch one of these elusive creatures. They’ve been spotted in Brisbane Water, Budderoo and Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve national parks on the outskirts of Sydney. Head further inland to spot them in Guula Ngurra National Park.

platypus spotted in byron bay hinterland with Vision Walks Eco Tours — Spot a platypus with Vision Walks Eco Tours. (Image: DNSW)

North of Sydney, Monga National Park is home to these cuties, but for those wanting some support to spot a platypus, head to Byron Bay hinterland. Here, you can join a tour with Vision Walks Eco Tours for a Platypus Walk. They’ll pick you up in Byron Bay, then lead you on an easy two-kilometre walk in the hinterlands. The best part? If you don’t spot one, you can come back for free another day.

Close to the Victorian border, Kosciuszko National Park has several spots known for platypus sightings: try the High Plains, Khancoban, Lower Snowy River, Selwyn, Thredbo–Perisher, Tumut and Yarrangobilly areas. Murray Valley Regional Park is also known for platypus sightings.

3. Queensland

I had my own platypus-spotting luck in the Atherton Tablelands. Yungaburra has even built a whole viewing platform to catch sight of their platypus locals at the edge of Mungalli Falls, but my group had only just started on the path to the platform at dusk when we saw two of them swimming around each other in the creek. These tablelands also have a Platypus Park with another built viewing platform. For help spotting these north Queensland dwellers, Wait-A-While Rainforest Tours (based in Cairns) claims a 90 per cent success rate in spotting platypuses on their tours.

guest and guide on Wait-A-While Rainforest Tours looking at a platypus in atherton tablelands — Join Wait-A-While Rainforest Tours for help spotting a platypus. (Image: TEQ)

Towards Airlie Beach, Eungella National Park is known to have a comparatively large platypus population in Broken River. You’ll find vantage points and bridges scattered throughout the region, with signs suggesting platypuses can be seen there. Stay for a night or two at Platypus Bush Camp near Finch Hatton Gorge on the edge of the national park for more chances of seeing them at dawn and dusk. There’s a viewing platform here, too, as well as flush toilets, rainforest showers, picnic and dining areas and two fire pits.

platypus in broken river, queensland — Spend time by Broken River to see a local. (Image: TEQ)

4. Tasmania

With higher numbers of platypuses and lower numbers of people, Tasmania is actually your best bet if you’re desperate to see one (and who wouldn’t be). Latrobe is often called the Platypus Capital of the World, as spotting one in the wild here is quite common. Stop by the bridge near Axeman’s Hall of Fame for an in-town experience. But a five-minute drive to Warrawee Reserve is your best bet. Here, follow the banks of the Mersey River to the Platypus Pool – one guess why.

Towards Cradle Mountain, Mole Creek is a popular stop for its caves and platypuses. Not far away, Loongana has plenty living along River Leven, with Taylor’s Flats picnic area being a particularly good place to stop for a gander. Extend your stay (and your chances) with an overnight at the secluded Mountain Valley Wilderness Retreat . Stay in the north to try your luck in the Meander River at Deloraine (and then have a wander through the popular arts and crafts offerings when you’re done). Waratah (between Cradle Mountain and Stanley) is another good option.

a platypus above the water in tasmania — Tasmania is one of the best places to find a platypus. (Image: Ash Thomson Photography)

Just outside of Burnie, Fernglade Reserve had a Platypus Trail along the riverbank where locals will tell you it’s almost guaranteed to spot one at dusk or dawn (which is also when the car park closes, so park outside then take the short walk in).

Tyenna River is a very popular home for the platypuses, especially around Mt Field National Park. Here, you’ll find a two to three-hour Paddle with the Platypus tour run by Tassie Bound, who will take you in kayaks down the river to the best places to see these water mammals. A little further south, Geeveston has a well-known Platypus Walk with viewing platforms.

Hobart itself is also an option, although not as fruitful as these others. Here, you can walk along Hobart Rivulet from the CBD to Cascade Brewery for a shot at spotting a platypus.

hikers stopping at a viewing platform along the platypus walk in geeveston — Follow the Platypus Walk in Geeveston. (Image: Liam Neal)

From natural wonders to historical sites, we’ve rounded up Victoria’s most epic icons that deserve a place on your itinerary.

Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park

From towering mountains to crystal cascades and ancient rock art sites, the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park is a playground for both outdoor adventurers and nature lovers. Don’t miss the views from the highest peak Mount William or the iconic Pinnacle.

Murray River

A paddle steamer down the Murray in Echuca — The wonders of the Murray are best experienced on board a paddle steamer. (Image: Visit Victoria)

A natural icon of majestic proportions, the Murray River flows for a staggering 2700 kilometres, making it one of the world’s longest navigable rivers. Meandering through Victoria before flowing out to sea at Goolwa in South Australia, the river is home to diverse wildlife, picturesque towns and secluded creeks and beaches.

Twelve Apostles, Port Campbell

the Twelve Apostles, Great Ocean Road — The Twelve Apostles are a star attraction on the Great Ocean Road. (Image: Tourism Australia/Two Palms/Harry Pope)

These limestone sea stacks are arguably Victoria’s most famous icon . After an $8-million upgrade to its lookout, The Blowhole near Loch Ard Gorge/Poombeeyt Kontapool (meaning breath of the whale) has recently reopened. A brand-new Twelve Apostles Visitor Experience Centre, complete with rooftop lookout, will open in 2026.

You Yangs, Geelong

kangaroos in You Yangs — Kangaroos enjoy dusk in the You Yangs. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Rising 300-plus metres from the flat volcanic plains between Melbourne/Naarm and Geelong, the You Yangs are massive granite boulders named for the local Wadawurrung word ‘Youang’, meaning ‘big hills’. Hiking, biking, rock climbing and horse-riding are popular within this regional park.

Redwood Forest, Yarra Valley

Near the town of Warburton, an extraordinary forest of some 1500 Californian Redwoods stands among native orchids, eucalypt trees and rich birdlife. Planted in the 1930s, these 55-metre-plus trees can live for 2000 years and will grow to be some of the world’s tallest.

Wilsons Promontory, Gippsland

the Wilsons Promontory — Wilsons Promontory is home to the incredible Skull Rock formation. (Image: Tourism Australia)

The Prom, as it’s known locally, is the southernmost tip of mainland Australia. This 50,000-hectare reserve comprises granite mountains and forest, fringed by sandy beaches and surrounded by a marine park rich in marine biodiversity. It’s also home to the incredible and imposing Skull Rock formation.

Hanging Rock Reserve, Macedon Ranges

This six-million-year-old volcanic rock  was thrown into the national spotlight thanks to the 1967 novel and consequent 1975 film based on the fictional disappearance of schoolgirls in 1901. Mystery aside, visitors can walk the steep 105-metre summit, fish for trout and go twitching.

Sovereign Hill, Ballarat

exploring Sovereign Hill — Step back in time at Sovereign Hill. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Cry ‘eureka!’ at Sovereign Hill , a living museum to the prosperous Gold Rush era of the 1850s, during which Ballarat produced the most gold in the world. Visitors to this much-loved attraction can walk historic  streets, enter a gold mine and try panning for the good stuff, too.

The Great Stupa, Bendigo

Who’d have thought the largest Buddhist temple in the Western world would be tucked away in Bendigo’s bushland? Welcoming visitors to explore, this sacred Buddhist pagoda is an epicentre for Tibetan culture, architecture, art and interfaith harmony.

Cape Schanck Lighthouse, Mornington Peninsula

the Cape Schanck Lighthouse from above — Heritage-listed Cape Schanck Lighthouse. (Image: Tourism Australia/Two Palms/Harry Pope)

Ensuring the safe passage of ships in the notoriously treacherous Bass Strait since 1859, this heritage-listed lighthouse overlooks dramatic volcanic coast and wild beaches. The surrounding reserve is home to a plethora of wildlife including little penguins, seals and echidnas.

Where to see a platypus in the wild