platytracker
Are you curious about what life hides beneath the surface of our creeks and rivers? Help us spot platypus and collect meaningful citizen science data to support conservation efforts
In September 2025, we launched PlatyTracker, an ongoing fortnightly volunteer led platypus data collection program to help track and protect one of Australia’s most iconic and elusive native creatures.
Whilst our existing seasonal platypus monitoring program consists of community survey events that raise awareness for conservation issues facing the platypus, PlatyTracker is a more rigorous and comprehensive data collection initiative whereby volunteers are trained to independently record platypus sightings and assess the condition of the surrounding habitat fortnightly across various Sunshine Coast creek and river sites. The collected data is uploaded to national databases that are used to inform governmental conservation decisions, particularly when determining the level of protection afforded to native species such as the platypus.
See our interview with Channel 7 News at the PlatyTracker launch event!
Photo by Jean Dunning at one of our Nambour creek monitoring sites
We are currently accepting registrations for new PlatyTracker partners. Your role as a volunteer citizen scientist in this project is to head out to your selected creek or river site once every two weeks (we recommend a spot close to home), and use our online tool to:
– Record platypus sightings
– Note physical and environmental conditions (water level, clarity, vegetation coverage)
– Upload photographs and log your location
Each survey only takes around 20 minutes and is a perfect opportunity for you to relax and connect with nature.
These regular snapshots help us build a long-term, high-frequency dataset — the kind of information that can detect subtle trends, seasonal shifts and the impact of restoration efforts. Remember, even if you don’t see a platypus – this is still data and every contribution counts!
Amazing photo captured by one of our volunteers, Ruth Huckstepp, at Petrie Creek
Getting started
Keen to spot some platypus?
You only need to follow a few simple steps below to register as a PlatyTracker partner and begin collecting data today!
STEP 1
Read more about the project
Our PlatyTracker Program Overview booklet below is a compilation of the slides from our launch event. This will give you a bit more information about the project purpose, monitoring locations and data collection process.
If you have any questions about PlatyTracker, feel free to contact our Community Engagement & Education Manager, Trevor Morrison
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(07) 5476 4777
STEP 2
Select a site
Select a local site of interest to monitor on a regular basis for platypus, preferably once per fortnight for around 20 minutes (either early morning or late afternoon). We recommend finding a spot that is close to your home or regular travel route for convenience.
Click on our map below to see a list of suggested sites or you might already have a site of your own in mind.
When selecting a site, some factors to consider are:
– make sure it is safe to access and that you are not entering private property without permission
– the site should be a section of creek or river with pools of reasonable depth and that flows year round (but doesn’t move too rapidly)
– platypus are freshwater mammals, so they are unlikely to be found in a river or creek section which is too close to coastal tidal zones (e.g. if you see mangroves or saltmarshes it won’t be a freshwater creek)
Feel free to contact Trevor if you would like help with site selection.
STEP 3
Learn platypus spotting techniques
Next, watch the first 8 minutes of this short induction video so you know how to find signs of platypus once you are at your site. The video was produced last year for a breeding season survey in Brisbane by Dr Tamielle Brunt from Wildlife Qld, who completed her PhD in the platypus field. Contents include habitat identification, mating rituals, distractors and ripple patterns. There’s some amazing footage in here!
STEP 4
Complete risk assessment
It is important to note that volunteers participate in PlatyTracker at their own risk as we are not on site to supervise you. This means you need to be prepared for potential hazards and always put safety first.
To help you prepare for your first survey, please fill out and submit the program risk assessment form below. We cannot accept you as a PlatyTracker participant until this is completed. Whether you are an experienced platypus spotter or a newcomer, Trevor is happy to help if you need assistance assessing the safety of your site for the first time.
Please take particular care with snakes at the moment and be prepared with your own first aid kit on hand when surveying. If alone, make sure that someone knows where you are and that you have a reliable mobile device with reception to call for help. As always, safety comes first over data collection.Â
STEP 5
STEP 5
Begin your first survey!
Nice work, now you are ready to go find some platypus!
To conduct your first survey, head out to your site (ideally early morning or late afternoon as this is when platypus are most active) with your mobile phone and, after looking out for platypus (for around 20 minutes) using the monitoring skills you’ve just learned, complete and submit our survey form.
Note that it’s vital that you still submit the survey form regardless of whether you see a platypus or not, as all data helps!
The key focus of PlatyTracker is obtaining regular data from sites. If you are unable to commit to fortnightly collection, perhaps you could share the site with a friend or family member (but make sure they complete induction first!). If you want to contribute data more regularly, there is an option for that too within the form.
STEP 4
Complete risk assessment
It is important to note that volunteers participate in PlatyTracker at their own risk as we are not on site to supervise you. This means you need to be prepared for potential hazards and always put safety first.
To help you prepare for your first survey, please fill out and submit the program risk assessment form below. We cannot accept you as a PlatyTracker participant until this is completed. Whether you are an experienced platypus spotter or a newcomer, Trevor is happy to help if you need assistance assessing the safety of your site for the first time.
Please take particular care with snakes at the moment and be prepared with your own first aid kit on hand when surveying. If alone, make sure that someone knows where you are and that you have a reliable mobile device with reception to call for help. As always, safety comes first over data collection.Â
Photo credit: Jean Dunning
We hope that you enjoy your experience with PlatyTracker. With your contribution we will work towards protecting the platypus for future generations to come. Keep an eye out on your emails for updates on the project, how your data has helped and PlatyTracker participant events.
Why is PlatyTracker needed?
Platypus are more than adorable — they’re a keystone indicator species. Their presence (or absence) tells us a lot about waterway health, habitat quality and ecosystem resilience. When platypus thrive, it’s a sign that our aquatic systems are in good shape.
Platypus numbers have been affected by habitat loss from land clearing, urban development, dams and drought. However, despite evidence from localised studies over the last 20 years supporting a population decline trend, the platypus is not considered under threat in Queensland due to a lack of comprehensive statewide data collection efforts.
The PlatyTracker project is critical for filling the gap in platypus distribution and abundance data within the Sunshine Coast region and is an invaluable contribution toward escalating the conservation status of the platypus in Queensland. This outcome is anticipated to have the effect of prioritising monitoring of the species by government bodies and placing increased scrutiny on urban development that affects platypus habitat.
