Platypus Pool Walking Track (5km)

Don't miss Platypus Pool walking track when you're staying at Mooraback campground in Werrikimbe National Park, near Walcha. You might spot a shy platypus as you walk alongside the Hastings River. Platypuses are elusive, but this walk beside the river's headwaters presents a rare chance of spotting one in the river pools. There's a good population of this extraordinary monotreme here.

Platypus Pool walking track starts at Mooraback campground. On this 5km loop walk, you'll journey alongside the river before heading up a gradual incline into remnant eucalypt forest and then back to the river. Along the way you'll pass a hut, a legacy of Mooraback station, an early settlement in the area. Linger in the shade of ribbon gums, snow gums, New England blackbutt and wattle-leaved peppermint in the forest before heading back to the river and Mooraback campground.

Keep an eye out for the huge variety of wildlife in this area. You could see bandicoots, eastern grey kangaroos, red-necked wallabies and, if you're very lucky, the rare parma wallaby. A range of forest birds make their home here, including eastern yellow and scarlet robins, grey and rufous fantails, varied sitella, brown thornbills and white-throated treecreepers. Birdwatchers, keep an eye out for rare species like the olive whistler, rufous scrub-bird and sooty owl.