Right in the heart of Wellington there are several places with blue ‘Platypus country’ signs marking locations where you might just see one of these elusive creatures.
One spot is along the Bell River behind the parklands where you will also find the Visitors Information Centre in the centre of town. There’s a suspension bridge for walkers. Further downstream, the Bell River joins the Macquarie at John Oxley Park (where there is also a boat ramp). This another spot where platypus have been seen. Upstream, if you stay at either the Bridge Motel or Riverside Caravan Park (see details under the River Trail) right on the river, you may see platypus here also. Remember, the best times for platypus spotting are around dawn and dusk and you’ll need to sit quietly.
Go to http://www.riversmart.org.au to find out more about the Macquarie River Platypus watch program.
Cactus Cafe; Hermitage Hill Resort; Wellington Caves, Phosphate mine etc, the Caves Bottle House; Lion of Waterloo historic country pub; Bridge Motel and Riverside Cravan Park. Towards Dubbo there is the Garling Gallery in Wongarbon, several riverside parks and reserves and in Geurie, the Bald Hills mountain bike trails.
Because of the platypus!
