Platypus viewing near Kuranda? Or nearby options ...
Replies: 19 - Last Post: Jul 29, 2012 5:53 AM Last Post By: Ozziegiraffe
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Platypus viewing near Kuranda? Or nearby options ...
Hi allI've been reading postings regarding platypus sightings but figure it's good to get an up-to-date view as habitats may change over time. Also we're not from Australia so unfamiliar with these areas.
From what I've read, the following are options for viewing platypus in the wild at dusk/dawn (although we understand there's never any guarantee):
- Peterson Creek beside the road leading from Yungaburra
- Gillies Highway
- Platypus Park, Heberton Road, Atherton
- Bonadio Mabi Wildlife Reserve
- Tarzali Lakes
Some maps have areas (i.e. Tarzali Lakes) which state certain spots 'guarantee sightings' - is this likely just to be a 'guarantee or money back' type deal with a tour operator?
Would anyone have any comments on the above spotting areas, or updates on where we could go - the closer to Kuranda the better but we wouldn't be picky if it meant a greater chance to see platypuses!
Suggestions appreciated.
Many thanks
1
Kuranda would not be ideal - too many tourists. Plan to spend a few days in the main part of the Atherton Tableland, to see some of the sites you mentioned.2
Kuranda would not be ideal - too many tourists. Plan to spend a few days in the main part of the Atherton Tableland, to see some of the sites you mentioned.3
All sites mentioned except gillies hwy never heard platypus in there, are good.You must understand that you are dealing with a wild animal in the wild.
Don't waste your time just looking for the animal by yourself. Get a small tour and if they give money back even better.
Also get yourself a good zoom lenses just in case. You may like to see the newest doco on the platypus filmed here in tropics just search Platypus in the tropics or WIldCAM Australia website. Any further info just contact me in there.
4
the guarantee sighting is probably a plastic onego every morning and evening as they don't know you are looking for them
they are in the river on the family farm but don't always see them
go looking and they wont be there
go down the river for something else and they will be there
also don't move and stay quiet
6
bramwell, if you fail to see one, I will show you one for FREE, and ain't going to be "plastic" but the real thing.Just contact me while in Atherton tablelands so I can meet you all. I have show platypuses to many visitors to Australia for over 16 years, I have conducted bona-fide field research here in the tropical platypus, I have produced documentaries and there are not special tools or techniques to watch platypuses but simply one thing: Knowing when, how and where - is that simple. For an outsider with less experience in Australian wildlife and their native habitat you will be venturing blind and your odds will be like lottery, even in captivity like Sydney Zoo and Healsville Sanctuary and Fleay's Wildlife Park where the contrived entertainment is again controlled by humans you can easily be disappointed with an encounter.
Tarzali has a good reputation (be there first thing in the morning as doors opens or late afternoon 4:00pm should be a good starting time), and if all fails, just call me and you got my services FOC. or I will tell you on a Google Map not far from Tarzali (but you must never tell anyone so a peaceful co-existence is maintained)
Enjoy Australia and what nature has to offer!!
7
Hi again WildcamAustraliaThanks so much for your very kind offer. We're going tomorrow to Lake Tarzali so won't have a chance to meet up with you before we leave Cairns, but perhaps you could send us a Google map as you suggested so that we can visit that spot if we don't see platypuses earlier.
Once again, we really appreciated your kind offer.
8
I know the poster has the question answered, but for future platypus searchers:Last week, it took us about 5 minutes to see one at the viewing platform in Yungaburra, and then had great repeated sightings of platypus swimming around and surfacing. From what we could gather from others at the viewing platform, sightings have been quite reliable there.
Others we met told of having success at Tarzali Lakes.
There is a lot of other great wildlife in the Atherton Tablelands area. A great place for the wildlife enthusiast.
9
Hi MLM192We had great success at Tarzali Lakes and we did stop at Yungaburra, which is easy to get to by the way, but we couldn't be there at sunset or sunrise so weren't expecting to see any there (nor did we). The guy at Tarzali was great - we arrived quite late, near his closing time, so he just left us to it - let us roam about as we pleased and we closed the gate as we left! :-) The environment is nothing like a 'zoo' situation, it was a satisfying experience seeing the platypuses in a natural pond setting and we saw several from about 3pm till we left about an hour or so later.
For those in the area, a visit to the Curtain Fig tree is worth a stop.
Thanks for all suggestions and advice.
11
Wow, that's so cool! Is it true that the Tasmania platypuses are larger than those in Queensland? Do you see them often? Jealous! :-D I helped out with a micro-bat project in Fiordland, here in NZ, with our Conservation Department at the beginning of the year. One of the women on the project is due to spend time in Tasmania sometime this year working with platypuses. I reckon that would be wicked ...13
I too have platypus in the creek on my property, and I do see them from time to time, but the ones that I most admire are those who live in the snow and ice rimmed creek towards the top of the Thredbo snowfields around the central spur, near Antons.God only knows how the little buggers manage to reproduce.
