What the hell is a Bunyip!?

[ChrisV]

Okay - not sure if many folks actually get this far down to read the posts in this part of the forum so it might take a while to get some discussion going...

But what the hell is a bunyip?
Is there any evidence that these things might of existed at some point?
maybe a giant platypus?

[Searcher]

Good question, ChrisV. Please let's know if you find out...

In the meantime, there's already a Bunyip thread this month in the 'Controversial' section. It's called Bunyip Exhibition NLA. Gets the mind ticking over...

viewtopic.php?f=67&t=5208

[Tuckeroo]

Good question, ChrisV. Please let's know if you find out...

In the meantime, there's already a Bunyip thread this month in the 'Controversial' section. It's called Bunyip Exhibition NLA. Gets the mind ticking over...

viewtopic.php?f=67&t=5208

Thanks Searcher, I was just about to mention the Bunyip thread to ChrisV.

T.

[Tuckeroo]

Okay - not sure if many folks actually get this far down to read the posts in this part of the forum so it might take a while to get some discussion going...

But what the hell is a bunyip?
Is there any evidence that these things might of existed at some point?
maybe a giant platypus?

Hi ChrisV,

I used to think 'Bunyip' was the previous name, for what we call the Yowie today.
But there is a slight difference, back in the colonial days a lot of the sightings
were of water-based cryptids. This seems less so today with Yowie sightings.
So I suppose your post is in the right section on the forums.

T.

[Tuckeroo]

Okay - not sure if many folks actually get this far down to read the posts in this part of the forum so it might take a while to get some discussion going...

But what the hell is a bunyip?
Is there any evidence that these things might of existed at some point?
maybe a giant platypus?

Hi ChrisV,

I used to think 'Bunyip' was the previous name, for what we call the Yowie today.
But there is a slight difference, back in the colonial days a lot of the sightings
were of water-based cryptids. This seems less so today with Yowie sightings.
So I suppose your post is in the right section on the forums.

T.

I think by this time of night I've 'use' up any brain power I had left.

T.

[ChrisV]

WOW!
4 replies in the "lake and sea creatures' section within 24 hours!!! Must be a new record.
Thanks for your comments guys...
I did miss that Bunyip thread in the other section so I will read that ...

yes I think they were once considered a slimy billabong dwelling creature so it makes sense I post here....

I'll see what conclusions I come to

[Shazzoir]

I wish I could remember where I read this, but there is a school of thought that exists, that the bunyip could have been the tail end remnants of megafauna, which existed briefly before going extinct. This article makes interesting reading and has some gorgeous art too.

https://blogs.unimelb.edu.au/sciencecom ... r-tragedy/

http://mysteriousuniverse.org/2013/01/t ... n-cryptid/

Shazzoir

[Searcher]

Thanks Shazzoir. A couple of interesting links there. Nice artwork too. The thing about Bunyip descriptions is they are so varied. Makes it hard to pin it down on a species.... so maybe it was a small group of mega fauna that were on the edge of extinction and have now disappeared completely.

For some water based reports, a theory is that a plesiosaur type animal comes in from the sea and travels up rivers to safely breed. There have been plenty of sightings. (see elsewhere in Lake and Sea Creatures) This creature would have been seen by the aboriginals and maybe was also called a Bunyip. Picture the pristine environment of the beautiful Hawksbury River a few hundred years ago. It not hard to imagine it being a sanctuary for denizens of the ocean deep.

[VicYowieResearch]

I have a theory.....

Bunyip's are the Aboriginal version of 'Kelpies' in Scotland, used as a bogeyman figure to keep young ones away from potentially dangerous waterways, swamps et cetera.

Long necked creatures spotted in the Hawksbury could be seals or dolphins which have only recently been found to go extraordinary distances up the Murray, and the locals would have been mystified by these unusual (to them) animals in the water.

Just my two bob's worth!

[Shazzoir]

Quite true! I was fond of the Plesiosaur (or similar) theory personally, and though it's a long way away, if you believe the Nessie theory, well.... Could be!

Shazzoir

[didgmaster]

I have been told by many Aboriginals that the Bunyip was a mythical creature , like the rainbow searpant , it was not something that could been seen or touched , not a flesh & blood animal ....

[Wolf]

Yes, I agree with VYC... Bunyips were used to keep the kiddies away from dangerous waterways and billabongs.
... mind you, when the Orignes first came here there were all sorts of dangerous giants from 10m Goannas to Marsupial Lions, giant snakes and mega crocs so the warning tales had historical relevance. "Stay away from the water, the monster will get you!"