Buzz
Australia is already teeming with terrifying wildlife, so you might assume there’s no need for mythical beasts. Yet, the real-life dangers that haunt the land aren’t enough to quench the thirst for the supernatural. This region, which also includes New Zealand, boasts a wealth of folklore, and I’ve even added a chilling Antarctic creature for good measure. From Ningens to Bunyips and Yowies, oh my!
1. Yara-ma-yha-who
The Yara-ma-yha-who is a vampiric figure from Aboriginal legends in Australia. This small, red, demon-like being lacks teeth, which is odd for a creature that feeds on blood. Lurking in trees, it pounces on unsuspecting victims below, using octopus-like suckers on its hands and feet to drain their blood. If it consumes someone, it naps and then regurgitates the victim, who might still be alive. However, repeated attacks can transform the victim into another Yara-ma-yha-who.
2. The Hawkesbury River Monster
The Hawkesbury River Monster is often compared to Scotland’s Loch Ness Monster, Nessie. Located in New South Wales, Australia, the Hawkesbury River is incredibly deep, and its mysterious inhabitant is said to stretch up to 24 meters in length. Ancient Aboriginal artwork, dating back thousands of years, suggests early encounters with this creature, which bears a striking resemblance to a prehistoric plesiosaur. Despite numerous modern reports, no one has managed to capture a photograph of this elusive river dweller.
3. Bunyip
The Bunyip is a mythical creature rooted in Australian Aboriginal folklore. By day, it hides in rivers, swamps, and billabongs, but by night, it roams the land, hunting for humans or animals to devour. Its eerie screams echo across vast distances. While some Aboriginal people claim to have encountered a Bunyip, descriptions vary widely—some say it looks like a snake, others a wild human, and some a furry mammal. Theories suggest the Bunyip legend may have originated from ancient encounters with now-extinct megafauna. Check out a video of a children's song about the Bunyip.
4. The Gippsland Phantom Cat
The Gippsland Phantom Cat is a large feline reported in the Grampians region since the 1970s. Experts believe these sightings involve big cats, likely feral descendants of domestic cats. During World War II, U.S. soldiers stationed in Victoria kept pumas as mascots, and some speculate these animals were released and bred in the wild, possibly interbreeding with feral cats. However, no definitive proof exists. In 2005, hunter Kurt Engel shot a large cat with a 26-inch tail. DNA tests revealed it was a common domestic cat species, at least on its mother’s side. The Gippsland Phantom Cat should not be confused with the Lion of Gripsholm Castle.
5. Muldjewangk
The Muldjewangk is a mysterious creature (or creatures) said to dwell in the Murray River and Lake Alexandrina in South Australia. Stories of this monster are often told to warn children about the dangers of the water. One tale recounts how a European steamboat captain shot a Muldjewangk, only to suffer a slow, agonizing death as red blisters spread across his body. The creature is also blamed for causing boat wrecks. Be cautious of the lake’s seaweed—it’s where the Muldjewangk is said to lurk!
6. Yowie
Australia’s answer to Bigfoot is the Yowie, a towering, ape-like creature that walks on two legs and is said to inhabit the country’s vast wilderness. The term Yowie can also refer to a legendary Aboriginal creature, which is not an ape, leading to some confusion. The Aboriginal Yowie is believed to be a local name for the Bunyip. Yowie enthusiast Paul Compton captured the above photo near Glen Innes in 2007.
7. Moehau
New Zealand’s version of a cryptid ape-man is known as the Moehau, though it also goes by names like Maero, Matau, Tuuhourangi, Taongina, and Rapuwai. These large, hairy beings, said to roam the Coromandel Ranges, are known for their aggression. They are believed to have killed a prospector and a woman in 1882—the woman was abducted and found with a broken neck, while the prospector was partially eaten. Moehau are human-sized, with ape-like faces, long shaggy hair, and unusually long fingers tipped with sharp claws.
8. Taniwha
The Maori creature known as the Taniwha inhabits the ocean but can also be found in rivers, lakes, or watery caves across New Zealand. It can take the form of a shark, dragon, whale, or even a shapeshifter that mimics these creatures. Known to prey on humans, the Taniwha is sometimes seen as a guardian in Maori legends, though it remains a threat to outsiders. These monsters are central figures in many old Maori and Polynesian tales. Illustration by DeviantART member lemurkat.
9. Drop Bear
The Drop Bear is a notorious creature often warned about to visitors in Australia. This carnivorous marsupial ambushes its prey by leaping from treetops onto unsuspecting tourists. Photos reveal its uncanny resemblance to a koala, which helps it deceive its victims. To ward off a Drop Bear, people are advised to stick a fork in their hair or apply Vegemite behind their ears. Watch the Drop Bear in action in this video, or check out its advertising counterpart here. Photograph sourced from reddit.
10. Ningen
The term Ningen translates to "human" in Japanese, but the creatures described by this name are anything but ordinary. These mysterious beings are said to inhabit the icy waters near Antarctica. Described as white and reaching lengths of up to 30 meters, Ningen possess human-like eyes and mouths, though their bodies are depicted in various ways—some have fins, others arms and legs, and some even feature arms with hands and fin-like appendages, resembling mermaids. Many Ningen sightings are likely misidentifications of icebergs, whales, dolphins, rays, or perhaps even the result of overindulgence.
Explore the full series on Legendary Monsters.
