Fern Glade Reserve is an oasis of tranquility about three miles south of Burnie. The park’s 45 acres hug the Emu River. Features include picnic areas and walking trails along the forest accented with giant fern trees and orchids. Fern Glade also offers the rare (but frankly unlikely) chance to see a platypus. This strange looking, semiaquatic creature endemic to Tasmania has a bill like a duck, a tail of a beaver and feet resembling an otter. And despite being a mammal, it lays eggs. Clearly, the platypus was designed by a committee.