There are moments on the road when you expect nothing more dramatic than a slow tractor or a stubborn sheep. Then there are days when nature decides to rewrite the script entirely. One misty drive through Tasmania’s highlands delivered exactly that kind of surprise, leaving two workers quietly speechless and a little awestruck.
A routine drive that turned extraordinary
Driving through Ben Lomond National Park is usually a feast for the eyes. Even locals who know the route well tend to slow down, partly for the views and partly because wildlife can appear at any moment. On this particular day, thick fog wrapped the mountain road in a grey hush, muting the landscape and narrowing the world to the stretch of tarmac ahead.
That was when five small shapes emerged from the mist, moving calmly across the road as if they owned it. The driver and passenger, both staff at a nearby ski club, instinctively stopped. In the silence, the animals crossed without hurry, seemingly unbothered by the car or the humans staring in disbelief.
Anyone who has driven rural roads will recognise that pause – the engine idling, the breath held, the feeling that you have stumbled into something you were never meant to see.
Meeting the echidnas
The animals were echidnas, often nicknamed ‘spiny anteaters’. They are native to Australia and famously elusive. Many people who live alongside them their entire lives might only ever spot one, briefly, disappearing into scrub or leaf litter.
Seeing five together is something else entirely. Echidnas are typically solitary, which makes a group sighting genuinely rare. According to wildlife organisations such as the Australian Museum, the only time these animals gather is during mating season, when males form what is known as a ‘mating train’, following a single female for days.
That context turns a charming roadside moment into something scientifically fascinating. It was not just a cute encounter but a glimpse into a behaviour few people ever witness.
Why this sighting matters
Echidnas belong to a very exclusive club. Alongside the platypus, they are monotremes – mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young. Conservation groups often highlight them as living reminders of how unusual and diverse Australia’s wildlife really is.
Their excellent camouflage and quiet habits mean they are easily overlooked, even in protected areas. That is why moments like this resonate so strongly online. They remind us that extraordinary things are happening all around us, often just out of sight.
From a personal point of view, it brings back memories of childhood drives where adults would suddenly shout ‘stop!’ because a wombat or wallaby had wandered across the road. Those pauses felt inconvenient at the time. Now they feel like gifts.
A gentle warning for drivers
The video captured during this encounter quickly spread, delighting viewers but also carrying a serious message. Tourism bodies and wildlife charities frequently stress the importance of driving carefully in areas like this. Fog, winding roads and animals that move slowly or unpredictably are a risky mix.
As organisations such as Wildlife Victoria regularly point out, slowing down can be the difference between a magical memory and a tragic accident. Encounters with native wildlife, especially rare species, underline how shared these spaces really are.
When nature steals the show
There is something quietly reassuring about a story like this. In a world dominated by screens and schedules, nature still has the power to interrupt us on its own terms. A foggy road, a stopped car and five echidnas crossing in single file feel almost cinematic, yet entirely real.
The next time visibility drops and patience wears thin behind the wheel, it might help to remember this moment. You may not see a rare wildlife encounter, but you are driving through someone else’s home. And occasionally, if you are lucky, the mist lifts just enough to reveal something unforgettable – a mating train, a reminder of biodiversity, and a quiet lesson in slowing down.
