While there have been sworn sightings, and the creature itself even lending its name to confectionery and films, dedicated ‘Yowie Hunters’ are stil on the search for definitive proof of this urban legend's existence. Similar sightings are alleged around the world, from Bigfoot (or Sasquatch) in North America to the Abominable Snowman (Yeti) in the Himalayas, or the Yeren in China. The creature has had alleged sightings since the 1700s, which all describe the same sort of beast – a cross between a gorilla and human, an overly tall, muscular man covered in hair like that of an ape. The Yowie, first realised in Aboriginal Australian mythology and sometimes referred to as the Yahoo, Hairyman or Pangkarlangu, is Australia’s answer to Big Foot – perhaps a long-lost cousin? Where to find the Otways Panther: The Great Otways National Park is almost three hours southwest of Melbourne, past the RACV Torquay Resort near Apollo Bay. Similar sightings have also been reported in other states, including the Blue Mountains (known as the Lithgow Panther and Tantanoola Tiger), as well as those in other Victorian regions, such as the Grampians Puma and the Gippsland Phantom Cat. Some explanations have been historical exotic animal trades, or an evolutionary trail of feral cats in the area, while others have suggested that they may have come from travelling circuses or visiting soldiers years ago. All have given the legendary creature a similar description - that of a large, black, four-legged creature – similar to a panther. Supposed sightings of black panthers in the bush have been documented since the 1830s, ranging from rumours of ‘big cats’ in the bush by new Eastern migrants, to sworn testimonies and videos taken in recent years. There have been alleged sightings of the elusive 'big cat', scurrying its way through the Otway Ranges where the bush meets the beach off Victoria’s Great Ocean Road. The jury is still out on the existence of the famed Otways Panther. Where to find the Bunyip: The Wemba-Wemba region lies between Swan Hill and Echuca, just an hour from the RACV Cobram Resort. While the debate rages on, the mystery of the creature from the dark lagoon has become a central part of Australian culture, featuring in art, music, film and television, books, and tours. Others believe it may just be a case of mistaken identity from European settlers who, at the time, also found kangaroos to be quite mystical in their own right. Nowadays, scientists and investigators believe that the Bunyip could be a now-extinct giant wombat known as the ‘diprotodon’ that lurked the inland waters 20,000 years ago, and the haunting sounds perhaps coming from bittern marsh birds. Over time, descriptions of the legendary Bunyip have taken many forms, from a mythical beast, to a nocturnal amphibian that lurks in swamps, billabongs and riverbeds.Īccording to Australian Aboriginal religion and mythology, the word ‘Bunyip,’ was originated by the Wemba-Wemba people of Victoria, and is roughly translated to ‘scary monster’ or an ‘evil spirit.’ The water-dwelling creature is allegedly a sea monster that feasts on humans, whose cries can be heard in the Outback waters come nightfall. 7 legendary Australian creatures from myth and folklore 1. The Australian Bunyip – Wemba-Wemba region, Victoriaįirst acknowledged by the Aboriginal peoples in stories of the Dreamtime tens of thousands of years ago, ‘sightings’ of the Bunyip were also documented by English settlers in the 1800s.
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