The wildlife in Australia has been a fascination and a highlight for us, especially for Alexis and Reid. We have tried to see and learn about as many native Australian animals as possible while we have lived here. One of the more difficult animals to spot in the wild is the platypus, as they are mostly nocturnal and rather shy.

We drove to Lake Elizabeth, a place known as a home for the platypus, to spend the afternoon enjoying the surrounding forest as well as to go searching for a platypus. We went with Glenis, Sarah and Rowan and their kids, Alby and Molly, Kristy and Nick and their kids, Jack, Henry and Charlotte. When we arrived, we took the kids on a hike, exploring all things nature along the way.

By the time we made it to the lake, our group had diminished by half. Jack, Alby, Alexis and Reid made it to the lake in hopes of seeing the much anticipated platypus. The lake was so still that its reflection created a perfectly symmetrical landscape. After some time standing very still and being very quiet, we left the lake without spotting a single platypus. However, the kids were convinced the bubbles they saw in the water was from a platypus just beneath the murky surface.

After hiking back to the campsite, we enjoyed dinner together, sausages, delicious homemade soup and fresh bread. We finished the night off by roasting marshmallows and lighting sparklers.

Even though we did not see a platypus in its natural environment, we had such a wonderful day exploring Lake Elizabeth with great friends, good food and lots of laughs.