Holiday Report – ‘Platypus House’, Tasmania
- By Kate Berwick
I often visit wildlife centres and reserves during my holidays because of my zoological background and interest in Australian flora and fauna. One such centre I have visited many times is ‘Platypus House’ in Tasmania.
Platypus House is a centre where the public can view two of Australia’s unique species: the echidna and the platypus. The centre aims to increase awareness about the biology of these animals to support their conservation. Both animals are mammals that lay eggs, which places them in a unique group known as monotremes. Inspired by their uniqueness, I decided to create an artwork of an Australian monotreme to help promote awareness of their conservation.
During a visit to Platypus House over a year ago, the staff were very supportive where I had a personal encounter with their animals. They explained the biology and conservation status and answered many of my questions, while I took photos for reference materials for my artwork.
When back in Queensland, I selected a photo of an inquisitive echidna called ‘Thomas’ to feature as a subject of a pastel artwork. I remember him being confident towards the camera and that he liked sniffing my shoes with his tiny beak. A month after its creation, I titled the work ‘Inquisitive Tasmanian Short-Beaked Echidna.’ In 2025, I exhibited the artwork at the Noosa show where it won a prize in and later, at the Pastel Society Exhibition on Bribie Island.
In January 2026, the work made its final journey to Platypus House in Tasmania where I donated it to the centre. The staff were very grateful to receive the artwork where it has been displayed in the centre to inspire visitors to help preserve Australia’s unique monotremes and natural heritage. As for the real Thomas the echidna, staff tell me he is doing well and has since sired a ‘puggle’ (baby echidna), who looks just like him.
Inquisitive Tasmanian Short-beaked Echidna
