Our journey begins at Healesville Sanctuary, Australia’s premier wildlife park. Here we get close-up with some of Australia’s most captivating wildlife including koalas, kangaroos, wombats, dangerous reptiles,Tasmanian Devils and huge birds of prey.
Then we drive through the magnificent mountain ash forests and tree fern gullies of the Black Spur to the Goulburn River, where it’s time to meet the locals. Climbing aboard rafts we drift quietly down the river looking for the shy platypus, a creature which has fascinated scientists and laymen since its first recording in 1797. With a bill much like a duck, webbed feet and thick waterproof fur, the platypus is a monotreme which lays eggs, suckles its young and swims like no other animal on earth.
Nocturnal by nature, these secretive animals are rarely seen in their natural habitat during daylight. But in secluded areas, these creatures come out and play, and can be observed by quiet, patient paddlers as we drift slowly through this platypus paradise.
Our return journey takes us through the majestic mountain ash forest, the tallest flowering tree in the world, and home to the lyrebird, the mimic of the forest.
Meet Australia’s unique animals