Duck Billed Platypus are shy creatures, so seeing one in the Australian outback makes it all the more remarkable and special!

When I lived  in northern NSW I’d go down to the creek  in the early morning or late evening with the children and we’d stand on the wooden bridge scanning the water’s surface for a glimpse of the duck billed platypus we knew lived there. But the sightings could only ever be described as ‘fleeting’. As we’d turn our head towards movements caught out the corner of our eye we’d only see bubbles, circled by ripples, eluding our gaze as they ducked back down to the creek floor to forage for food.

Platypus by John Gould 1863

It was not until I visited Eungella, 90km west of Mackay in Queensland that I got my first ‘real’ look at one in the wild.

There are viewing platforms set up along Broken Creek, where the platypus have become used enough to their admirer’s glances that whilst still shy, they can be seen more readily.

Only two monotremes exist in the world – The platypus and the echidna. Monotremes are egg laying mammals.

Another unique feature of the platypus is the venomous spur on the male’s hind foot, which when human inflicted causes great pain.

The Platypus is featured on the Australian 20 cent coin

Seeing wild animals in their native habitat is simply magic ~

Have you managed to spot the platypus on our Map Journal?

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