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
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- VickiL83Australia275 contributionsA must to see while in TasmaniaThey 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 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 25 October 2023
- Sacha PMelbourne, Australia43 contributionsUp 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 2023Travelled with familyWritten 28 December 2023
- Carolyne CAdelaide, Australia19 contributionsClose up with the monotremesOur 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 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 10 January 2024
- Steve T8 contributionsUnique creatures up close.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.Visited January 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 13 January 2024
- Apolonia702,238 contributionsPlatypus and echidnaPlatypus 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.Visited October 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 18 February 2024
- Karen NWichita, Kansas131 contributionsDon't Judge the Book by its CoverAs 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!Visited March 2024Travelled with familyWritten 17 March 2024
- Lucy MDorset, United Kingdom368 contributionsGreat platypi and echidna encoutersAs a Brit, have never seen a real life platypus so this place was a must. The inmates have been rescues, unable to live back in the wild. They have lovely tanks, and seem happy as anything doing their platypus thing. Interesting talk before tour, and about their defence mechanism (avoid!) Next door to the platypi, there is a room full of adorable echidnas. It's their room and their rules, so we needed to stand in one place and they walked around us, sniffing and exploring. Very enjoyable and cuteVisited February 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 20 April 2024
- Steve C24 contributionsThe most unique and amazing placeIf I could give this tour more than 5 stars, I would. One of our highlights from our Tasmanian trip. Breea, our tour guide was so interesting to listen to and clearly cared a lot about the animals while teaching us all in a clear, fun way. We loved watching the platypuses being fed while hearing their stories. We then moved over to room where we sat on the floor with the echidnas while they were being fed. The most unique, memorable experience.Visited September 2024Travelled with familyWritten 22 September 2024
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4.5
753 reviews
Excellent
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Average
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Poor
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53 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
As a family with a 2 yr who is very hands on and enjoys interactive activities we were very disappointed.
$ 50 plus for 2 adults and our 2yr daughter gave us no value for money.
Our guide was very much over the top and seemed to talk at us with very little patience for toddlers that didnt comply with her instructions.
Would not recommend as a family value for money event to attend.
$ 50 plus for 2 adults and our 2yr daughter gave us no value for money.
Our guide was very much over the top and seemed to talk at us with very little patience for toddlers that didnt comply with her instructions.
Would not recommend as a family value for money event to attend.
Written 13 January 2020
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.
Dan L
Bunbury, Australia8,835 contributions
Apr 2022
We had seen echidnas previously but not platypuses so took the short trip from Beaconsfield. All the ladies at the counter were most enthusiastic and told us what we would see during our 50 minute tour. Paid our $48.00 for two concessions and then waited for our tour to start at the scheduled time. Ten minutes late starting and then our young guide gave us brief summary of what we would see. First stop a room with water tank and a solitary platypus swimming, stayed here viewing for about five minutes and then into the next room where his harem of two platypuses were lazily swimming in another tank. The food brought them closer and we had a very good look. Final stop the echidna room where a number of the animals were housed in a bushland setting. Nothing shy about them, you either stood still or shuffled slowly to avoid threading on them. Our guide was excellent, enthusiastic and knowledgeable, but the entire tour was over in twenty five minutes. Great to see the animals but we couldn't help but contrast the cost of the visit with the admission fee paid to visit the wildlife park where we viewed Tasmanian devils and wombats for the first time. The gift shop is well stocked with giftware and smaller souvenirs.
Written 15 May 2022
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.
Lou_W_1967
Esperance, Australia33 contributions
Dec 2021 • Solo
This establishment houses Platypuses and Echidnas. You first go into a room where the guide gives you a run down on both, then you visit the male Platypus. The guide will feed him so you can watch him dive and swim around. Then you go and visit the females where you can see similar things. We had a young girl as our guide, just 18 years, and her knowledge and confidence in herself was staggering to see in one so young. After the Platypuses, we saw the Echidnas during their feeding, and they are funny little things. One was a guts and, after he finished his meal, he helped himself to more from his room mates bowls. The Echidnas walked amongst us on the tour, and so long as you were still and didn't startle them, they were comfortable.
Written 5 December 2021
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.
catkid3
Victoria, Australia156 contributions
May 2023
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!!
Written 15 July 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.
danielkayelene
The Summit, Australia758 contributions
Dec 2021
Booked Platypus House directly after visiting Seahorse World. Book on the hour and you are able to visit both. Both monotremes are covered here - platypus and echidna. You get close up encounters with both. We had an excellent young female guide who was passionate, knowledgeable and informative. Platypus are still shy but you will be almost trampled by the echidnas.
Written 20 January 2022
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.
Hotcake
Brisbane, Australia129 contributions
Dec 2020 • Friends
$71 for two concessions and one regular entry fee?
Are you kidding ? to see one male platypus swimming in a 1970’s hexagon pool with a couple of lumps of wood floating in it?
In the next room three tanks and 4 females.
Lots of talking, informative but just too much.
Three echidnas in the next room charming but we had seen an echidna in the wild the day before so hardly a unique Tasmania experience.
The 3 pass deal (The mine, the sea horses, the platypus) is off due to Covid so it’s just too expensive to do them all and pay full price individually.
The platypus are not endangered, not breeding in the facility so my advice is go to Latrobe and see them in the wild for free.
Don’t waste your hard earned $$
Are you kidding ? to see one male platypus swimming in a 1970’s hexagon pool with a couple of lumps of wood floating in it?
In the next room three tanks and 4 females.
Lots of talking, informative but just too much.
Three echidnas in the next room charming but we had seen an echidna in the wild the day before so hardly a unique Tasmania experience.
The 3 pass deal (The mine, the sea horses, the platypus) is off due to Covid so it’s just too expensive to do them all and pay full price individually.
The platypus are not endangered, not breeding in the facility so my advice is go to Latrobe and see them in the wild for free.
Don’t waste your hard earned $$
Written 22 December 2020
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.
Edith P
Launceston, Australia56 contributions
Nov 2022
Worth every penny! Amazing to see platypus at close range and very interactive. The echidnas move freely around the floor where you stand. Our tour guide Deb was very knowledgeable and informative about these creatures. She told us many fascinating facts. We all enjoyed this experience immensely.
Written 15 November 2022
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.
Liz C
Brisbane, Australia9 contributions
Mar 2022 • Couples
I loved the whole experience at Platypus House! I learned a great deal about the platypus and the echidna. I got to see platypus’s swimming and feeding! The highlight was having echidnas walk right through our legs and feed in front of us. Our young tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable, enthusiastic and friendly. This is a must see for all ages!
Written 6 March 2022
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.
Schlepper1939
Brisbane Region, Australia891 contributions
Mar 2021 • Couples
This attraction is situated at Beauty Point, out of Launceston and is well worth the effort of going there. The guided tour is well done and educational. The resident animals are in glass tanks so they are easy to see and they respond to the guide when she feeds them. It would be impossible to leave there without being impressed.
The bonus is that you also get to see and learn about echidna which are housed in a different part of the facility.
While we did not have the time to visit the adjacent Seahorse display, I understand it is also worth a visit.
The bonus is that you also get to see and learn about echidna which are housed in a different part of the facility.
While we did not have the time to visit the adjacent Seahorse display, I understand it is also worth a visit.
Written 6 March 2021
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.
Karen N
Wichita, KS131 contributions
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.
The website says there are no Platypus House tours operating on Sundays in May. This is the only day we have. Are we missing out on much by not participating in the tour?
Also, is there a better time of day to see them more active (eg morning v midday)?
Written 20 March 2021
Once I put the date in the tour times appeared. I must have made an error on my first attempt. All good now!
Written 20 March 2021
Is it necessary to book in advance? We are planning to visit in December.
Written 22 July 2017
No need to book, tours run every 45 minutes .
Written 22 July 2017
geniecox
Wollongong, Australia
I would just like to know the admission price for 2 adults.
Written 4 March 2017
The price for 2 adults is $49.00 (24.50 each)
This includes tour .
Written 4 March 2017
I will be staying in Launceston without a car. Is there a tour or a bus that I could take to the Platypus House?
Written 26 November 2015
The only actual tours I know of for people without a car to visit Platypus House, go for the full day. One is with "Tasmania -Drive" and the other is with "Prestige Leisure Tours". Of course, because they are day tours they go to other places - but all the other places are great, too. You can try those 2 companies by 'googling' them on the internet, - or asking Launceston tourism or a travel agent.
However, there is a bus/coach service from Launceston with a company called Manions'. (Route 183). It is only 45 minutes drive from Launceston to Beauty Point where the Platypus House is. If you look up that bus/coach company on the internet, you will see their address and timetable. If you used that service you can just go to the Platypus House without going on any other tour. (Seahorse World is next door to Platypus House, though - and is well worth a visit, also.)
Written 28 November 2015
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