Some years ago, while on an extended motorcycle journey around Australia with my then-partner, I hoped to see a platypus in its natural habitat. This unusual creature, sometimes referred to as the duck-billed platypus, is a semi-aquatic egg-laying mammal endemic to Eastern Australia, including Tasmania. It is classified as a monotreme – mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young.

This duck-billed, beaver-tailed, egg-laying, otter-footed mammal had European naturalists perplexed when they first encountered it. In 1799, upon first examination of a preserved platypus body, scientists decided it was a fake made of several animals sewn together.

Until the early 20th century it was hunted for its fur, but it is now protected throughout its range. Due to habitat destruction causing declining numbers, it has become a threatened species.

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On our motorbike trip we travelled to many national parks in the three mainland eastern states (Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria). We camped beside rivers, lakes, and wetlands, and waited patiently in many likely areas, but I never saw my platypus. 

Then in Tasmania, while kayaking on a small lake, I spotted one snuggled in amongst vegetation. I paddled slowly, getting closer and closer, anxious that it might submerge and swim away, but it didn’t. I got right up beside it. I was so excited to be blessed to see this elusive, rare creature. It trustingly remained where it was and I sensed it instinctively knew I meant it no harm.

Gently, I reached out my paddle so it could climb onto it, then I burst into tears when I realised it was dead. Its furry body was unmarked; I hoped it’d died peacefully of old age. I felt sad but honoured to have had a close encounter with that beautiful creature.