Lake Elizabeth, with the platypuses off duty

Lake Elizabeth looked very promising for platypus spotting. Still water, forest all around and plenty of places for a small, discreet animal to disappear. Shan watched for the telltale ripples. The platypuses had clearly not been consulted about our arrival time.

The lake is a relatively recent addition to the Otways. In 1952, a landslide blocked the East Barwon River and water backed up behind it. The dead tree trunks still standing out in the lake make that flooded-forest history quite visible.

We did not see a platypus on this visit. They are usually most active around dawn and dusk, and our daytime stop found them keeping their own company. There was still plenty to look at: reflections tucked beneath the ferns, trees rising above the water and the tall forest around the lake.

A lovely place for a quiet walk, even with the headline wildlife off duty.