Platypus House
Platypus House
4.5
10:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 3:30 PM
About
Welcome to Platypus House. The only place in the world you can experience this amazing animal up close and personal. A Tasmanian natural living world experience not to be missed. Watch both live platypuses and echidnas in daylight and undercover!
Duration: < 1 hour
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

The area
See what travellers are saying
  • GregBarlow
    Burleigh Heads, Australia41 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A must do in this northern region
    Permanently housed platypus and echidnas (not captured but rescued and can't be released). Very informative and well spoken commentary about both. Quality souvenirs (all made in China of course. Australia has forgotten how to make anything these days). Simple bights and ice cream on site with awesome restaurant nearby. Highly recommended.
    Visited March 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 23 March 2023
  • Karen M
    439 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Up close to monotremes
    The information and opportunity to see both platypuses and echidnas up close, was fabulous. The presenters were open to all of the group’s questions and the clear tanks gave us a great view of the platypuses. The echidnas walk around us as we sit still ( well most of us who listened to the instructions) and the close encounter is really superb. They were the show stoppers for me.
    Visited March 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 5 April 2023
  • EndlessTravels
    Greater Melbourne, Australia35,500 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    One of the best places to them up close in Australia
    One of the highlights of our recent trip to Launceston. Visit this in conjunction with neighbouring sea horse world. Seeing the platypus up close for the first time was such a thrill for our kids. Get up close at the end of the tour to the echidna added to the thrill, highly recommend this place
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 11 May 2023
  • Grant N
    Hastings, New Zealand1,423 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Excellent visit - very friendly and informative staff
    Great way to see platypus and echidna in a nice setting with an informative guide. The platypus are naturally in water and can only be seen through glass or from the top of the water. But interesting to watch them go about their daily activity. The echidna are a laugh a minute with their waddle across the floor, obvious greed for food, and total ignoring of those watching. Fascinating creatures. Well worth a trip to see them.
    Visited May 2023
    Written 15 June 2023
  • catkid3
    Victoria, Australia148 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Dream come true
    Despite being an Australian, this is the only place where I've had the chance to properly see a platypus and get some great footage of them. I booked the first tour of the day and happened to be the only person on that tour, so it ended up being a very personalised experience. Both guides were lovely and easily answered any questions I had. You initially walk through an exhibit about monotremes and their features/predators etc before visiting the platypus exhibits. The echidna experience was also wonderful as it was so cute having them walk right past you. The gift shop was well-stocked and there's also a cafe with reasonably-priced beverages. Will definitely visit again!!
    Visited May 2023
    Written 14 July 2023
  • Elly1919
    Adelaide, Australia81 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Platypus and Echidna what more could you want
    What a wonderful experience , we were very happy to see some of the platypus during our tour and felt very privileged. An amazing Australian wonder. We were then given a tour with the echidnas, we didn’t realise this was included and were able to see them up close and very active it was an amazing experience. The tour guide was very informative and friendly. Suitable for young and old.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 28 September 2023
  • Rhonda S
    Sydney, Australia14 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Special experience
    Fantastic, special experience. My second visit - worth it to go back. Guided tour through the platypus exhibits and then guided time to sit to watch the echidnas - very informative, makes you smile
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 29 September 2023
  • VickiL83
    Australia234 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A must to see while in Tasmania
    They are such cute, but they are also deadly. If the male is confronted with danger, it has a gland that strikes and emits a poison. If I hadn't visited the excellent place, I wouldn't have known about this potential danger. I also would not have been able to sit amoungst our cute Echidnas. Both staff, exhibits, and knowledge of these 2 pieces of information and fabulous places at Besuty Point Tasmania are a must to see when in this area.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 25 October 2023
  • Sacha P
    Melbourne, Australia45 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Up close and personal with the monotremes!
    Wasn't sure what to expect from this tour when we entered, but was so happy we did it. At every other animal sanctuary we've been to, the platypus is almost impossible to spot, while here you can get up close and see them feeding, diving and generally playing. Following the platypus tour, we were led to the Echidna Garden, where we formed a circle, and the echidnas just wander around you. If you find the right spot, they'll brush past you as they roam around the area - such an amazing experience! Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and very passionate in sharing here knowledge about these unique Australian critters. Highly recommended!
    Visited December 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 28 December 2023
  • Carolyne C
    Adelaide, Australia20 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Close up with the monotremes
    Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and could answer any questions put to her. We got to see the platypuses up close, swimming and eating and it was excellent. We sat amongst the echidnas who ate their food right next to us, it was a wonderful up close experience.
    Visited January 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 10 January 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles745 reviews
Excellent
415
Very good
246
Average
55
Poor
16
Terrible
13

Karen N
Wichita, KS134 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Family
As a part of a private driver tour, we had the privilege of stopping at the Platypus House. What a gem! The building is quite unassuming, but this little place is a gem. We were able to see several platypus in their pools, and then we were up close and personal with the echidna. Our guide was not only knowledgeable but she spoke loudly enough that even those of us who have some trouble hearing could hear her (and she was able to speak over a screaming baby). We found the tour, though short, to be well worth doing!
Written 17 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

lesleyrs
Sydney, Australia8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Friends
An amazing time learning about platypuses and echidnas. Knowledgeable guide and fun for the whole family, I recommend this activity
Written 25 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Apolonia70
adelaide1,580 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Friends
Platypus are difficult to see in the wild so a visit to the Platypus House was worthwhile. The venue has a cafe on site where you can wait until your tour starts. The attraction is well set up and has easy access. The display area shows the life cycle, a life sized Tasmanian platypus on display and lots of information about monotremes. The enclosure provides great photo opportunities - the creatures are fast so have fun capturing them swimming. The tank displays provide full visual opportunity to watch platypus search out their food and feed. The echidna enclosure is very visitor friendly - you stand in the enclosure and watch the echidna walk around you as well as feed. A great experience being so close. Very informative and knowledgable staff/ guides. Enjoy.
Written 18 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Brendan
Tauranga, New Zealand5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Family
Great experience to finally see a platypus & echidnas up close.
Wonderful staff with an informative tour guide.
Great value
Worth the trip out of Launnie.
Written 6 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Steve T
4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Couples
A very knowledgeable guide takes you on tour in small groups. We arrived just as a tour was about to start so did not need to wait. You learn a lot about Platypus and Echidna and will be in close proximity to them. The echidna's will be fed and then wander about and possibly brush up against you as they go for a walk. The platypus swim and play around in their pools. You also get to see them feeding.
Written 14 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Carolyne C
Adelaide, Australia20 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Couples
Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and could answer any questions put to her. We got to see the platypuses up close, swimming and eating and it was excellent. We sat amongst the echidnas who ate their food right next to us, it was a wonderful up close experience.
Written 10 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sacha P
Melbourne, Australia45 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Family
Wasn't sure what to expect from this tour when we entered, but was so happy we did it.
At every other animal sanctuary we've been to, the platypus is almost impossible to spot, while here you can get up close and see them feeding, diving and generally playing. Following the platypus tour, we were led to the Echidna Garden, where we formed a circle, and the echidnas just wander around you. If you find the right spot, they'll brush past you as they roam around the area - such an amazing experience! Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and very passionate in sharing here knowledge about these unique Australian critters. Highly recommended!
Written 28 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Andcarm1
Port Lincoln, Australia38 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Family
Very friendly knowledgeable tour guide. Bit pricy but was good. Kids especially loved the echidna’s. Located on the Warf it’s an interesting place with the sea horses next door
Written 23 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Toowoombatourist
Toowoomba, Australia301 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023
Loved the feeling of being so close to these amazing animals - so much to learn about their quirky uniqueness, even as Australians!
The bonus of the up-close and personal echidna encounter was just wonderful and unexpected!
The guide was passionate about her job and it showed in the way she shared all her knowledge. The animals at this facility are all rescue-animals, many having been there for a long period of time, and the staff appear to have a real connection with them all.
There is a nice gift shop and cafe attached to the tour - (check out the t-shirts - love some of the unique design messages!)
Situated right next door to Seahorse House - easy to co-ordinate tour times to do both these amazing tours over a few hour period.
Written 15 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

VickiL83
Australia234 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Couples
They are such cute, but they are also deadly. If the male is confronted with danger, it has a gland that strikes and emits a poison.
If I hadn't visited the excellent place, I wouldn't have known about this potential danger. I also would not have been able to sit amoungst our cute Echidnas.
Both staff, exhibits, and knowledge of these 2 pieces of information and fabulous places at Besuty Point Tasmania are a must to see when in this area.
Written 26 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

…
Showing results 1-10 of 729
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

PLATYPUS HOUSE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Platypus House

Platypus House is open:
  • Sun - Sat 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM