The Bunyip of Murray Bridge

The Bunyip is Australia’s most famous cryptid, a creature of Aboriginal legend that has been reported throughout the Murray-Darling river system. The town of Murray Bridge has been a hotspot for sightings since colonial times.

Aboriginal Tradition

Aboriginal peoples have known of the Bunyip for thousands of years. Different groups describe it differently, but common features include an amphibious nature, large size, and a bellowing cry. It is considered dangerous and is avoided.

Colonial Reports

When Europeans settled the Murray River region, they began reporting strange creatures. In the 1850s, multiple settlers described a large, dark creature in the water. Some described it as seal-like; others compared it to a hippopotamus.

The Description

Witnesses describe the Bunyip as four to six feet long, dark-colored, with a dog-like face. Some report flippers; others describe legs. It is usually seen in deep water holes and billabongs. Its cry is described as a deep, booming roar.

Modern Sightings

Reports continue into the modern era. Fishermen see something large surface and submerge. Campers hear strange bellowing at night. The murky waters of the Murray hide their secrets well.

Assessment

The Bunyip may be a folk memory of extinct Australian megafauna, an unknown surviving species, or misidentification of seals. Whatever the truth, something strange has been reported in Australian waterways for thousands of years.