7 Best Places To See Platypus In Melbourne 2026

Spotting a platypus in the wild is an exciting prospect for visitors and locals alike. Fortunately, there are a number of places around Melbourne where you might be lucky enough to see these adorable and elusive creatures. Read on to discover where you might be able to see a platypus near Melbourne!

1. Lake Elizabeth in the Great Otway National Park

Surrounded by eucalypt forest and tree ferns, Lake Elizabeth in Great Otway National Park is a favourite for spotting a platypus.

You can join Otway Eco Tours’ dawn and dusk canoe tours of Lake Elizabeth. The operator reports a 95% sighting success rate, although sightings are not guaranteed. The excursion begins with a 1 km walk through the forest, where you might even spot koalas, and continues with a canoe trip on the lake.

• Address: Lake Elizabeth, Forrest-Apollo Bay Road, Barramunga, VIC, 3249
• Fare: Free to visit the lake, but there may be fees for camping or guided tours
• Google Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/8vzohwhuNJp5r2SW8

2. Yarra and Plenty Rivers Confluence

The meeting place of the Yarra and Plenty Rivers is another spot where platypuses have been recorded, making it worth adding to your platypus-watching list. Dawn and dusk are good times to look, and binoculars may help.

The area offers a peaceful setting for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts alike.

• Address: Near the intersection of Yarra and Plenty Rivers, southeast of Rosanna
• Fare: Free
• Google Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/WJmFRYqbqa5zruxv6
• Google Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/g7b3ct5CV67XGL3A9

3. Warrandyte State Park

Only 24 km north-east of Melbourne, Warrandyte State Park is a favourite with locals and visitors alike, with platypuses calling this stretch of the Yarra River home.

Take in some beautiful scenery on a bushwalk, take to the river in a canoe or go birdwatching. Keep your eyes peeled for platypuses here, too.

• Address: Warrandyte State Park, 24 km north-east of Melbourne, access via Heidelberg-Warrandyte Road, Research-Warrandyte Road, and others
• Fare: Free
• Google Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/V6fPy158zD1jZyQY9

4. Healesville Sanctuary

Healesville Sanctuary is known for its work in platypus care and research. Watch the resident platypuses at the World of the Platypus exhibit, or book the separate Platypus Discovery experience to enter their habitat in waders with an expert. The experience is for visitors aged 12 and over, and the platypus chooses whether to approach.

Find out more during an educational talk by one of Healesville’s keepers about platypus biology and conservation.

• Address: Badger Creek Road, Healesville, VIC
• Fare: Check current Healesville Sanctuary entry prices and child free-entry eligibility before booking. Animal experiences cost extra.
• Google Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/zfjHaqPKENBKaLKK6

5. Dandenong, Werribee, Maribyrnong, and Westernport Rivers

Platypus have been recorded in waterways within the Dandenong, Werribee, Maribyrnong and Westernport catchments, but populations and sightings vary. Dawn and dusk are good times to look, so bring binoculars.

In the Westernport catchment, these waterways include the Bunyip, Tarago and Lang Lang river systems and Cardinia Creek. Each offers a different setting, but sightings are not guaranteed.

• Address: Various locations along these rivers in Melbourne and surrounding areas
• Fare: Free
• Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Dr21Zkf7FdVSaXdH6
• Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9EiZb95UWTR4wM178
• Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/LTjRj1gUz69Ai2WL7
• Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ysNEGCtbwFaYUtpg7

6. Olinda Creek between Lilydale and Mount Evelyn

Platypuses have been recorded in Olinda Creek between Lilydale and Mount Evelyn, making it worth considering if you’re looking to see these creatures in the wild. Dawn and dusk are good times to look.

The creek offers a peaceful setting for watching wildlife in its natural habitat.

• Address: Olinda Creek, between Lilydale and Mount Evelyn
• Fare: Free
• Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/dYGonChPsuhLJQ8T9

7. Toorourrong Park

Toorourrong Park is in Melbourne’s outer north-east, near Whittlesea and the Kinglake Ranges. Platypus were historically recorded in the reservoir and upstream tributaries, but Melbourne Water reports a severe decline and possible local extinction.

The park offers reservoir views and short walks, but a platypus sighting should not be expected. It opens at 9 am, so dawn visits are not an option inside the park.

• Address: 120 Jacks Creek Road, near Whittlesea, Victoria.
• Fare: Free
• Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/fNigb1GJ6ujnSTnd7

Best Places to See Platypus in Melbourne at a Glance

Our list of best places to see platypus in Melbourne goes like this:

• The best spot within a national park: Lake Elizabeth in the Great Otway National Park
• The best confluence of rivers for sightings: Yarra and Plenty Rivers Confluence
• The best state park for platypus spotting: Warrandyte State Park
• The best sanctuary for platypus encounters: Healesville Sanctuary
• Catchments with recorded platypus sightings: Dandenong, Werribee, Maribyrnong and Westernport

Keep these locations in mind when planning where to look for a platypus near Melbourne.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to see platypus in Melbourne?

Dawn and dusk are good times to see platypus, so plan your visit accordingly. Bringing a set of binoculars may help with your quest.

Can I access these locations using public transport?

You can reach some locations, including the Yarra and Plenty Rivers confluence and Warrandyte State Park, using public transport. Getting to Lake Elizabeth in Great Otway National Park without a hire car or guided excursion can be trickier, so plan accordingly.

Are there any guided tours or encounters available for seeing platypus?

Yes, Otway Eco Tours offers dawn and dusk canoe tours on Lake Elizabeth and reports a 95% sighting success rate. Healesville Sanctuary also offers the separately booked Platypus Discovery experience, where visitors aged 12 and over enter the habitat in waders with an expert. Children aged 12–15 must be accompanied by a paying adult, and sanctuary entry costs extra.

What is the best season to see platypus in Melbourne?

Platypus can be spotted year-round. Melbourne Water recommends looking at dawn or dusk during autumn and spring, although sightings are never guaranteed.