Platypus viewing in Victoria

[MickyB]

One of the great things about bushwalking is getting to see fauna in their natural habitat. One animal that I have never seen though is a platypus. I know Lake Elizabeth near Forrest is good for viewing them but was wondering if there are any other places where I would have a better than average chance of spotting one. Thanks

[MeanderingFlyFisher]

It's not a bushwalking destination but if you are ever in Warrnambool I'd gladly take you out to see platypus in the local rivers.
That's one of the big advantages of flyfishing for trout is that I spend a lot of time in or on the water at lowlight times.Quite often they are a nuisance as they can be mistaken for a rising trout

[Xplora]

Saw one on the Kiewa river near Blair's Hut. You can walk to it several ways. Falls Creek to Westons and then down. Do it before they charge you.

[MeanderingFlyFisher]

Have been thinking further about this and I have seen platypus further downstream the Aire River from Hopetoun Falls in your signature photo at the Ocean Road bridge.I don't recall seeing any in the small streams I fish in the Otways but they would be there and it is only good luck and time spent on the water before you eventually see one.
We had some flyfishers from Melbourne a few weeks back and one of the guys that I was "guiding" was an Englishman who had never seen a platypus in the wild as he'd only been in Oz a few months.We spotted a pair of platypus working a pool in front of us and he was most excited.That on top of the couple of nice trout that I put him on to the day before capped off his trip.Upon reporting this to his partner back in Melbourne she couldn't believe that he had seen a platypus in the wild and she was an Aussie let alone 2 working in front of him together.Sometimes I don't realise how lucky I am spending so much time in the great outdoors.So my advice is to just get out there as often as you can and have a look.

[MickyB]

Thanks guys. I might take you up on your offer one day MeanderingFlyFisher . I live in the Dandenongs so the Otways and Warrnambool are a fair distance away. My mother in law also lives in the Dandenongs, right opposite one of the main known locations for platypus in the 'hills'. I have spent hours over the years looking in that creek and dam trying to spot one without success. She has been there for about 30 years and she has never seen one there either.

[MartyGwynne]

If you are ever in Genoa east Gippsland just near the NSW border around dusk and dawn you can see them "playing" around under the old bridge.
I know it is a bit of a drive from Melbs, but if your in the area....

[MickyB]

Cheers Marty. I do have a couple of trips planned for down that way, although time is always a huge factor for me. Is the bridge on the Princes Hwy over Genoa River?

[wobbly]

I've also seen them under this bridge in Genoa. Actually its the only place I've ever seen them.
Yes its the old Princess Hwy bridge, its in a park just upstream of the current Hwy bridge.

[peregrinator]

I have friends who often see platypus near the confluence of the Yarra and Plenty Rivers in Melbourne. Been looking myself a few times without success.

[MickyB]

Thanks for the confirmation wobbly

The confluence of the Yarra and Plenty Rivers (Heidelberg??) isn't too far a drive away so great to have another location to try and spot one. Thanks peregrinator

[bernieq]

Many years ago, living south of Shepparton, I'd kayak on the Muddy Creek when in flood (yes, it used to happen, years ago).

Over a 10 year span, I would invariably see platypus in one section of the creek. Drifting along in the kayak, I'd look behind to catch it watching me - a gentle plop and it would disappear below the turbid water (the creek was aptly named).

At other times, the creek was all but dry. Surrounded by farmland, it was not the pristine environment I thought necessary for platypus. I've concluded (from this and other encounters elsewhere, and a little reading) that they actually do quite well in a wide range of habitat, including urban.

I would suggest looking from the water (not the bank), in a well-treed creek (lots of refuge) with a muddy bottom (the creek, not you).

Good luck.