Height
2.5 meters
Year Built
2000
Address
Maybe Street, Bombala, NSW 2632
The Lowdown
The Big Platypus in Bombala celebrates one of Australia's most extraordinary creatures - the duck-billed platypus that calls the rivers of the Monaro region home. This whimsical sculpture captures the platypus in all its bizarre glory: the beaver-like tail, webbed feet, duck-like bill, and furry body that so confused European naturalists when they first encountered it that they thought it was a hoax. Bombala sits in prime platypus country, where the Bombala River provides ideal habitat for these shy, nocturnal monotremes. The Big Platypus invites visitors to explore the region's waterways where, with patience and luck, they might spot the real thing at dawn or dusk.
Did you know?
"When European scientists first received a platypus specimen, they thought it was a hoax sewn together from different animals"
History
The Big Platypus was erected around 2000 to celebrate Bombala's connection to these remarkable creatures. The Bombala River and surrounding waterways support healthy platypus populations, making the region one of the best places in Australia to spot them in the wild. The sculpture has become a point of pride for the community and a popular stop for travelers heading to or from the Snowy Mountains.
More Fun Facts
- •When European scientists first received a platypus specimen, they thought it was a hoax sewn together from different animals
- •Platypuses are one of only five species of mammals that lay eggs (monotremes)
- •Male platypuses have venomous spurs on their hind legs - one of few venomous mammals
- •Platypuses can detect electric fields from prey with their bills
- •They eat 20% of their body weight in food daily, hunting underwater with their eyes closed
Visiting Tips
- 💡Ask locals about the best spots to see real platypuses on the Bombala River
- 💡Early morning and dusk are best for platypus watching - bring patience!
- 💡Bombala is en route to the Snowy Mountains - combine with a ski trip in winter
- 💡The town has several historic buildings worth exploring
- 💡The nearby Delegate River is another good platypus habitat
Opening Hours
The Big Platypus is in a public area accessible at any time.
More Big Things Nearby
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A 12-meter tall fibreglass guitar monument celebrating Tamworth's status as Australia's Country Music Capital, opened by Slim Dusty in 1988.
Big Potato
A 10-metre fibreglass potato built in 1977, modelled on a Sebago potato, sitting in a field in Robertson.
Big Trout
A 10-metre tall, 2.5-tonne fibreglass rainbow trout sculpture celebrating Adaminaby's fishing heritage.