We are from The UK and being realistic, did not expect to see a platypus or echidna in the wild, so booked this attraction. It is an hour long guided tour about these two fascinating Australian creatures. The guide was extremely knowledgeable about her subject and the platypuses and echidnas are well cared for. In the echidna section of the tour, you are invited to sit in a room and the echidnas will come right up to you. If in the Tamer Valley area, certainly worth a visit.

About an hour’s drive north of Launceston gets you to a place with both Seahorse World and Platypus House. With our schedule, we only did the Platypus House but we were so glad we did. When I’ve visited animal sanctuaries in the past, it was really hard to see a platypus because they are normally nocturnal. These ones (maybe all in Tasmania) were really active and you can see them in a set of different tanks swimming, feeding and simply being a platypus. I was surprised at how big they were. As part of the experience, there’s also the Echidna Garden, where we formed a circle, and the echidnas were fed and wandered around us. Although you can’t touch them, sometimes they did brush past as they wandered around and it was amazing at how close you can get to them. Our guide was super passionate and we learned so much about these animals.

Not the friendliest of welcomes when we arrived and the coffee was poor. The tours run on the hour and we had 40 minutes to wait, but we hadn’t booked so that was fine. The platypus is very hard to spot in the wild, so this is a great opportunity to see them in action and learn about the many surprising facts about these fascinating mammals. Our guide was knowledgeable but I don’t understand why she threw food into the first tank which meant that the two platypuses that had been playing on the surface and easy to see, then dived to the bottom of the pool out of sight! Yes they came back to the surface after a bit, but we spent a while looking at nothing. The next room contained tanks that you could see them underwater, so the feeding made sense here. The echidna experience was great as others have said. They are very cute and engaging creatures. Would recommend for the chance to see these special mammals close up and for the education.

The platypus were extremely active which gave us enormous opportunities to view them even climbing out of the water onto a platform. The echidnas were also amazing g to see with one climbing onto my leg whilst kneeling on the ground. Very friendly little fellas.

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.

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.

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

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.

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!!

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.