They may be a national treasure, but few Australians have ever seen a platypus in the wild. Their numbers are dwindling rapidly, having lost 22% of their habitat (or three-times the size of Tasmania) over the past 30 years. And yet, here in Bright & Surrounds, there are few locals who haven’t seen these magnificent little creatures. Their slick fur bodies pop out of their riverbank burrows in the early morning and evening to forage in the clear waters, wiggling across the ripples. We’re lucky to have clean rivers with stable banks to support platypus populations. Sadly, however, we still lose some to human activities, one of the worst culprits being hair elastics washed into the waterways or lost while swimming. The platypuses become entangled in the elastics, which cut into their skin and cause infection. Some cannot be saved, some require amputation to survive.
To protect our platypus, our local kids often hold clean-up days after the busy summer swimming season to collect hair elastics and other rubbish along the rivers. It’s something you, too, can help with now that you’re aware of how problematic the presence of rubbish can be in our waterways. And you may even see a platypus while you’re at it!
Where to spot platypus
Platypus are present in all out major river and creek systems in Bright & Surrounds, including the Ovens River, Morses Creek, the Buckland River, and the Kiewa River. Pay particular attention to gentle parts of the river in the early morning and evening when platypus are most active, and keep an eye out for bubbles rising to the surface—a very good clue that a platypus is down below. There are a few locations within the towns where you’re very likely to see one.
- Old Porepunkah Bridge, Porepunkah (across the road from Porepunkah Pub)
- Canyon Walk, Bright (look for the park bench behind the Riverbank Park Motel)
- Centenary Park, Bright (toward the water slide)
- East Branch Kiewa River, Mount Beauty (toward the Rockpool swimming hole)
- Happy Valley Creek, Myrtleford (near the Lewis Ave Splash Park)
Tips for protecting our platypus:
- Be quiet and respectful. Watch from a distance. Don’t ever throw objects at a platypus and refrain from letting dogs swim near their burrows.
- Keep our rivers rubbish free (elastic bands, twine, and nets are particularly dangerous).
- Never dump caravan grey water or other wastewater into our river systems.
- Don’t degrade the riverbank. Stable banks are vital for safe platypus nesting.
Look out for Rakali
Platypus are not the only cute creatures that live in our rivers. Rakali, also known as a native water rat (but cute like an otter) are elegant swimmers that live in similar habitat to platypus. They can be identified by the white tip at the end of their tail. Our rivers are also home to other threatened species, like the broad-shelled tortoise and the Trout Cod. Look closely and see what you can find!
Image of Platypus thanks to Travel and Wildlife Photography
November 2025