The Tasmanian Arboretum is a great place to visit, not only for its peaceful atmosphere and great trees but also for its birds. And of all the places I have visited, I think it is the easiest place to observe Platypus in the wild.
Two years earlier I had been to the Arboretum with my one of my sisters and brother in laws, and this was a repeat trip. That previous trip had been very good and this was equally as good.
On the drive to the Arboretum, which is not far from Devonport, we spotted an Echidna near the road.
Entry to the Arboretum is by small donation. Once we arrived we headed straight to the ponds where we had seen Platypus on the previous visit.
We soon spotted one, but it was distant. But patient watching and being able to walk around the ponds meant we could get closer to it. But my best photos, like on the previous trip, were taken after lunch.
The grounds are truly beautiful and well looked after.
Here are some of the birds we saw –
Dusky Woodswallows
Dusky Honeyeater (juvenile)
Tasmanian Thornbill
Green Rosella
Golden Whistler
And the Platypus. We were lucky after lunch to observe it quite close.
