Lower North Shore Platy Project: Lane Cove National Park

Platypus numbers are declining, and sadly this unique creature is now at risk of extinction.

Following the support of our Platy Project initiatives last September, we’re asking our community to head down to our local creek or river, find a quiet place on the bank, try to spot a platypus and record what we see. It’s all part of the platy-project – a citizen-science project from ACF and the University of New South Wales – that aims to fill the gaps in our understanding of where this elusive animal lives, so that we can better protect it.

Check the project website https://platy-project.acf.org.au/ to read more about the project and look at the map of habitat and sightings.

The Lower North Shore group in Sydney have chosen this location in Lane Cove National Park so that we can have a nature walk down near the river and hope to see some platypuses in the wild. We will meet in the park at the Boat Shed Car Park, near Illoura Picnic Area. There is an $8 parking fee for entering the park. 

The best times to see platypus are dawn and dusk so start time is 4PM, wrapping up at 6PM.  You are welcome to come in any time between 4PM and 6PM, so head on over when you can!

We can’t promise you will see a platypus, but we hope you will be motivated to continue looking by yourself in other waterways near you. And every sighting (especially the lack of sightings) counts towards helping us protect these vulnerable and unique animals. 💚🌊

Kind regards,

Your Local Lower North Shore ACF Group