The Bunyip, one of the most infamous creatures in Aboriginal mythology, is believed to have resided in the swamps, billabongs, creeks, riverbeds and waterholes around what is now Melbourne. The creature is known for its shapeshifting abilities, and descriptions of its appearance have varied, adding to its enigma. Some attest it looked like a gigantic starfish; Others envisioned it as a an odd mix of animals with a dog-like face, dark fur, a horse-like tail, flippers, walrus-like tusks and a duck-like bill. Its wailing cries at night could terrify even the bravest warriors. The tales told of it were often used to scare children from wandering too close to the waters’ edge. The Bunyip was also an important part of the Aboriginal peoples’ respect and fear of the dangerous inherent in the waters, symbolising the perils hidden beneath the deceptively calm waterways. Today, the legend still persists, with reported sightings of the creature still occurring. One such report in the 1800s described a Bunyip that had been killed, with its body displayed in the Australian Museum in Sydney. Although the body was later revealed to be a hoax, largely made up of papier mache, the legend of the Bunyip lives on, a mixture of fearful respect and intrigue.