Healesville Sanctuary is internationally renowned for its role in platypus care and research and was the first in the world to breed this unique creature in captivity. In the 1930s the Sanctuary was the first organisation to successfully keep and display the species and in the 1940s hatched the first platypus (Corrie) ever bred in captivity (an event that made front page news in London and New York). It took 55 years to repeat that success with the birth of twin platypus in 1998 (Barak and Yarra Yarra), and again in 2000 (MacKenzie).

The Sidney Myer World of the Platypus

The Sidney Myer World of the Platypus, opened in December 1994, is renowned as the best platypus exhibit ever constructed. Visitors enjoy an intimate encounter with the mysterious Platypus in its captivating nocturnal creek habitat. Living ferns, mosses and lichens grow above waterfalls and rapids, and tangled tree roots shelter little-known animals such as water-rats, native fish and eels.

BHP Billiton Platypusary - where Platypus secrets are revealed

All the behind-the-scenes action is revealed for the first time in Healesville Sanctuary's new Platypusary. Within an amazing golden egg-shaped dome, discover a world of platypus pools, secret tunnels, digging mounds, feeding tanks, sleeping and nesting chambers. Meet the Keepers (daily at 1.15pm) and see first hand what's involved in the art of platypus care and breeding - lifting the lid on this most secretive Australian.