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)

Make this dazzling stretch of beaches and natural wonders your home base for a grand adventure

Whether you’re setting out solo, bringing a mate, or packing in the whole family, no road trip along Australia’s East Coast is complete without at least a few days spent exploring the Coffs Coast. A stunning stretch of NSW coastline nestled between ancient high-elevation rainforests and magnificent, undiscovered beaches, Coffs offers amazing biodiversity, stunning natural beauty, and heaps of local charm, without the crowds. Pull up in Coffs Harbour , your perfect home base for these unforgettable day-trips.

1. Southern Beaches

The Coffs region boasts 30 of Australia’s most beautiful, unspoiled beaches, directly abutting a dramatic tableau of mountains and rainforests. Drive South of Coffs Harbour to find up-and-coming surf destinations where it’s still possible to catch an empty wave. First up is the picturesque Sawtell village . Wander the famous fig-tree-lined main street packed with laid-back places to eat and drink. Enjoy panoramic views and seasonal whale sightings at Bonville Headland on the Southern end of the beach.

Nearby Bongil Bongil National Park boasts seven kilometres of empty beach, along with hiking and cycling trails through beachfront rainforests – keep an eye out for koalas living in the trees. Boambee Beach and Boambee Creek Reserve are great for families, with shallow waters perfect for kayaking and SUPing, plus an off-leash dog beach.

family eating lunch in sawtell — Experience small-town charm in Sawtell.

2. Orara Valley Tourist Trail

The Orara Valley Tourist Trail has it all: hinterland bushwalks, birdwatching, horse riding, pristine swimming holes and rolling green pastures dotted with dairy farms and historic villages. And it’s only 15 minutes west of Coffs Harbour.

Sample produce at a roadside stall, stop into Coramba Hotel for a quintessential country pub lunch, or try the Idle in Cafe in Nana Glen for coffee and scones. Then spend the afternoon kayaking the Orara River or mountain biking on Mt Coramba. If you’re feeling adventurous, follow the 4WD touring route along the Orara Escarpment in Bindarri National Park , a rugged landscape with dazzling views that winds through untouched eucalypt rainforests and waterfalls.

A family sitting by the Orara Valley Tourist Trail. — Explore the green heart of Coffs.

3. Dorrigo National Park

Enjoy a classic day trip from Coffs to forest bathe in some of the oldest subtropical rainforests in the world at Dorrigo National Park, part of the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests. These million-year-old ecosystems promise rare bird sightings, towering strangler figs, and epic walking tracks and picnic spots. Try the 6.6 km Wonga Walk to experience dreamy Crystal Shower Falls (where you can walk behind the falls) and the Skywalk Lookout, which offers spectacular views of the valley and coast. Then stop in Dorrigo town for a homey lunch. It’s worth noting that a section of the road between Ulong and Dorrigo – which dates to the 1880s – is unsealed, adding to the area’s end-of-the-earth allure but making travel difficult in adverse weather conditions. Alternatively, head to Dorrigo via the delightful township of Bellingen .

Three people standing at the SkyWalk lookout. — Wander the Skywalk.

4. Northern Beaches

For another tranquil expanse of sun, sand and surf breaks, head north to Woolgoolga (Tourism Australia’s Best Mainland Beach for 2025. Taste the coffee and local-produce breakfast at one of several cafes, then spot whales during their migration season along the Woolgoolga Whale Trail to the headland. Emerald Beach offers clear blue waters and another headland walk, perfect for taking in views of South Solitary Island, a dramatically rocky-cliffed island with a historic lighthouse. Red Rock, some 40km north of Coffs and named for its striking coastal rock formations, boasts a gorgeous estuary reserve that’s perfect for languorous days spent picnicking, swimming, fishing, and connecting with the relaxed local pace.

Freshly caught seafood by the beach, with sparkling ocean views. — Enjoy fresh seafood overlooking Woolgoolga Beach.

5. Jetty precinct

You could easily spend a whole day exploring the Jetty precinct – from its foreshores to the marina to Muttonbird Island. Start with fresh fish and chips from local institution Coffs Harbour Fisherman’s Co-op , before browsing the popular Harbourside Markets held every Sunday on the foreshores.

Take a scenic walk along the breakwall to Muttonbird Island , a cultural and ecological treasure with panoramic views and rich Gumbaynggirr heritage. The Giidany Miirlarl Education Space shares the island’s ancient stories, or join a guided moonlight tour to see the seasonal return of the muttonbirds.

Back at the Jetty Strip, find a buzzing mix of cafes, bars and restaurants with cuisines from around the world, open from morning until late. Don’t miss The Jetty Pavilion , a favourite for its unique menu blending modern Australian cuisine with vibrant world flavours.

walk to muttonbird island from coffs harbour — Walk the path where land meets sea and sky.

6. Grafton

Head inland from mid-October to early November to catch Grafton’s jacaranda season, when the town’s streets and parks are covered in purple. Even better, time your trip between 24 October and 2 November to attend the famous Jacaranda Festival, with special food items, performances and more. At any time of year, follow the self-guided Grafton Heritage Trail to discover the town’s historic buildings, landmarks and stories. Or get the blood pumping with a trip along the longest mapped white-water trail in Australia – the Clarence Canoe and Kayak Trail. Book a tour with Exodus Adventures .

woman walking through jacaranda trees in grafton — Time your Grafton trip to see the jacarandas in full bloom. (Image: @myclarencevalley)

7. Nambucca

Just south of Coffs Harbour sits Nambucca, the ideal town for a relaxed, coastal day trip. Hire a canoe, kayak or boat to explore over 80 kilometres of waterways stretching from the hinterland to the ocean. For those who prefer to stay on dry land (or double up their adventure for the day), stretch your legs along the V-Wall – a scenic coastal walk along the Nambucca River – dotted with boulders painted by the community, sharing messages, art and local stories. Stop along the way to buy Sydney rock oysters direct from local farmers, or try your own hand at fishing. Before heading back to Coffs, refuel on fresh seafood and wood-fired pizzas at Matilda’s in Nambucca .

a boat zooming through Nambucca Heads — Explore Nambucca’s waterways. (Image: Seen Australia)

Visit coffscoast.com and download the Coffs Coast Explorer App for more daytrips and trails.

Where to see a platypus in the wild