Strange, shy native animal
Platypus ‘all over’ the region
IT’S difficult not to be captivated by the evolutionary oddity that is shy as it is enigmatic, but where can you go to lay your eyes on the Australian duck-billed platypus close to Cairns?
Australian Platypus Park ranger Jesse Waring runs guided platypus tours and has some tips to help you maximise the chance of good sighting. “They have good hearing and very good eyesight, so don’t make erratic movements and don’t take an umbrella,” he said.
The ranger said, although activity could be hard to predict, males will be more active leading up to the breeding season that started in September.
The best times to spot a platypus are in the early morning and late evening, in slowmoving streams with muddy banks and plenty of tree cover.
Mr Waring said he had spotted platypus all over the Atherton Tablelands, including the stream flowing out of the main pool at Millaa Millaa Falls, Dirran Creek and Priors Creek behind the Atherton Woolies.
Here is where you can catch a glimpse of a reclusive Australian native animal less than 10 per cent of the population has ever laid eyes on.
YUNGABURRA
On the Gilles Range Rd at Yungaburra is a platypus viewing platform and walking track on the banks of Peterson Creek.
Most visitors report an encounter with one of the few egg-laying marsupials, but stealth is required.
The best times to spot one are in the early morning or evening.
TARZALI LAKES
The Australian Platypus Park at Tarzali Lakes offers platypus viewing every day from 9am to 4pm on the Atherton Tablelands between Millaa Millaa and Malanda at Minbun.
All platypus viewings are escorted by a ranger and depart the Smokehouse Cafe every 30 minutes.
The ranger will give you tips to enable you to have the best possible viewing experience.
Platypus guided tours cost $8.50 for adults and $6 for children aged 3-12.
PLATYPUS PARK
Overlooking Piebald Creek at Atherton is The Station Cafe. The cafe offers an ideal viewing place to see platypus in the wild.
There is a playground, barbecue and shelter as well as information on the shy and reclusive platypus.
YUNGABURRA
Just off the Gillies Range Rd halfway between Atherton and Yungaburra is the Bonadio Mabi Wildlife Reserve.
The reserve offers camping for a small fee and a good chance to see a platypus in the wild. Some recent visitors have reported seeing another Australian rarity, the Australian tree kangaroo.