If you’re wondering where to see a wild platypus in Queensland, look no further than the small town of Yungaburra. Located in the Atherton Tablelands, Yungaburra is a hotspot for platypus sightings – which is why it’s on our list of the best places to see wildlife in Cairns! Platypuses are notoriously hard to see in the wild, so it’s an opportunity not to be missed. Both Peterson’s Creek and the town’s Platypus Viewing Platform have regular sightings of these elusive creatures – although you may need some patience in order to spot one. This guide covers everything you need to know about seeing a wild platypus in Yungaburra near Cairns.
Hoping to see more of Australia’s native wildlife? Check out our guides to seeing kangaroos on the beach and koalas on the Great Ocean Road!
How to get to Yungaburra
Getting to Yungaburra is only really possible by car, as there is no public transport to the town from Cairns. If you haven’t already rented a car you will need to do so in order to visit Yungaburra, but it’s worth the cost for the chance to see a platypus in the wild!
Renting a car can actually be surprisingly affordable in Cairns and Australia. We recommend booking a car through the Rental Cars website, as they compare prices between a number of operators to ensure you get the best deal!
It’s around a 70-minute drive from Cairns to Yungaburra, and at times there are some fairly windy sections of road as you make your way up into the Atherton Tablelands. As you drive you will occasionally get some lovely views of the area’s rolling hills and greenery.
Where to see a Platypus in Yungaburra
Yungaburra is one of the best places to see a wild platypus in all of Australia. Having first seen a wild platypus in Maleny, we had an even more amazing encounter during our time in Yungaburra.
There are a couple of spots that are worth visiting in the town, both of which you have a reasonable chance to spot one of these majestic yet elusive creatures!
Peterson’s Creek
A wildlife haven in the heart of Yungaburra, Peterson’s Creek is a hidden gem. This quiet creek is home to an array of wildlife, including the elusive platypus, rare tree kangaroos, pademelons, possoms, and more!
There is a small car park at the intersection of Penda Street and Bunya Street, and from there a walking trail leads down to the creek. Where the trail splits, take the path to the left and head towards the suspension bridge.
Although platypuses can be seen all along Peterson’s Creek, sightings are most common near the suspension bridge. Spend some time here keeping a close eye on the water for any movement, and fingers crossed you will get a sighting of a platypus.
If you are lucky enough to get a sighting it may only be for a short period before it dives back underwater. Platypuses can stay underwater for up to 10 minutes, but if you see one dive then there is a good chance it will come back up in a similar area – so stay put and hopefully you will get multiple sightings!
After spending some time by the suspension bridge, take a stroll along the creek to enjoy more of the area’s wonderful wildlife. We saw a number of turtles, pademelons and a green ringtail possum on our visit, so keep an eye out for any movement or anything hidden amongst the trees.
It’s around a 20-30 minute walk one-way along the creek, but it’s up to you how far you want to go. Make sure to be keeping an eye on the water for any signs of a platypus, and head back to the suspension bridge when you’re ready to give yourself another chance of a sighting!
Click here to see the exact location of the creek and parking area on Google Maps!
Yungaburra Platypus Viewing Platform
The platypus viewing platform in Yungaburra is an unmissable spot for wildlife lovers. Easily accessible on a day trip from Cairns, this spot is one of the best places to see a wild platypus in both Queensland and all of Australia!
An outdoor platypus hide provides an unobstructed view of the creek below, which is a hotspot for platypuses. It’s unlikely you will get a sighting immediately, but there are some information boards about platypuses at the platform which are great for learning more about these fascinating creatures!
Like always, you will likely need some patience in order to spot a wild platypus at the Yungaburra viewing platform. It’s quite common to see turtles in the creek, which can sometimes briefly trick you into thinking you have seen a platypus – an easy mistake to make!
If you have no luck from the viewing platform then head across the nearby road bridge and take the path to your left. This path leads underneath the bridge to an area where platypus sightings are somewhat regular.
It’s a secluded spot, which helps increase your chance of a platypus sighting. On a recent trip we were fortunate enough to get some incredible views of a platypus for around half an hour to an hour!
This platypus was particularly inquisitive, and kept swimming up to the water’s edge as if it wanted to get a better view of us. At times we were less than a metre away from the platypus, which meant we got some incredible views and were able to get some great pictures!
Of course platypus sightings can never be guaranteed, but with some patience you have a good chance here. We visited two days in a row and it was the second day when we were fortunate enough to see one of these amazing animals!
Click here to view the different walks here on AllTrails!
Where to stay near Yungaburra
If you want to give yourself the best possible chance to see a platypus in Yungaburra then it’s worth spending a few days in the town. This gives you the opportunity to look for a platypus at around dawn and dusk – the times they are supposed to be most active.
Yungaburra is also a great place to stay if you want to do the nearby Cairns waterfall circuit. This circuit visits three stunning waterfalls in the Atherton Tablelands, and is only around a 30-minute drive from the town!
There are a few different places to stay in Yungaburra, catering for a variety of budgets. As it’s only a small town the options are fairly limited – so make sure to book in advance to avoid missing out on your preferred dates!
Click here to find the best places to stay in the area on the Booking.com website!
Tips for seeing a wild Platypus in Yungaburra
Platypuses are nocturnal – As they are nocturnal creatures, your best bet of spotting a platypus is normally around dawn and dusk. Sightings are still possible during the day though, and our visit we got a great sighting in the mid to late afternoon.
Masters of diving – Platypuses regularly dive underwater and can hold their breath for up to 10 minutes. With some luck the platypus will resurface in a similar area so you should be able to get more than one sighting.
Be patient – Platypuses are notoriously elusive, so you will need some time and patience in order to spot one. On our first visit to Yungaburra we spent at least a few hours in the area without any success, but the following day managed to spot a platypus within around 30 minutes!
Bring binoculars – It’s worth bringing a pair of binoculars if you have them, as that way you can get a better view if you happen to see a platypus far away from you.
Bring a camera – Make sure to bring a camera, ideally with a zoom lens, so that you can take some pictures to show all your friends and family! Seeing a platypus in the wild is a special experience – and in many cases you will probably be a bit too far away to get a great photo on your phone!
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