Broken River

Landscape of the Month

What's so special about it?

Platypus, Broken River

Located along the Queensland coast near Mackay, the Broken River is the best place in the world to see wild Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus). In the rest of their range, Platypus are notoriously shy and crepuscular creatures, but the population in Broken River can be easily observed from the river bank at almost any time of day. The Broken River is also famous for the ancient fossils found inside its rockbeds, including the preserved remains of primitive fish from 400 million years ago.

Where can I see it?

Broken River is a 90-minute drive west from Mackay, through the southern end of the stunning Clarke Range. Much of the forest here forms part of Eungella National Park, and a section of the Broken River is also protected by it. To access the site where the Platypus viewing platform is located, pull over into the carpark along Eungella Dam Road, just after it crosses the river. I visited the area last year - see here for more information.

Is there anything similar near Brisbane?

Forest Red Gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis),
flowering along the South Pine River, Strathpine

Of all the large rivers running through the Brisbane area, the Pine River is my favourite one for wildlife-watching. Platypus still occur in a few locations along its length, sharing the water with such creatures as Crimson-spotted Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia duboulayi) and Short-necked Turtles (Emydura macquarii). The lower reaches of the Pine River have been immensely altered and degraded by human activity, and pollution and erosion are increasing problems. A small remnant of the luxuriant forests that originally cloaked these river banks can still be seen at John Oxley Reserve, in Murrumba Downs.