The Hawkesbury River Monster is one of Australia's most intriguing cryptid legends, said to haunt the waters of the Hawkesbury River in New South Wales. Descriptions of the creature vary, with some reporting it as a giant eel or snake-like creature, while others claim it resembles a prehistoric sea monster. Sightings date back to the 19th century, with locals recounting strange occurrences and mysterious disturbances in the water. Despite numerous alleged encounters, no definitive proof of the creature's existence has ever surfaced, leading many to believe it's a case of mistaken identity or local folklore. However, the legend persists, with the monster continuing to captivate the imaginations of those drawn to the river’s mysterious depths.

Join Holly & Matthew as they dive into the legend of the Hawkesbury River Monster, exploring the eerie reports, historical accounts, and the ongoing mystery surrounding this elusive creature that still haunts one of Australia’s most famous waterways.

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Sources cited:

• Lang, Ruby. 2012. The Hawkesbury River Monster—What lies beneath? Accessed August 25, 2021. http://strangenationaustralia.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-hawkesbury-river-monster-what-lies.html.
• Hawkesbury Regional Museum. 2010. Creatures of myth and legend. Accessed August 25, 2021. https://www.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/105961/Myths,-Creatures-and-Legends-2010.pdf.
• The Windsor and Richmond Gazette. 1924. "Seeing things." September 5: 1. Accessed August 25, 201. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/85899247.
• Yahoo News. 2017. "Family films 'strange' creature in Hawkesbury River." December 12. Accessed August 25, 2021. https://au.news.yahoo.com/sydney-family-films-mystery-creature-swimming-in-hawkesbury-river-38255927.html.
• Truth. 1936. "Sharks in the Hawkesbury." December 13: 16. Accessed August 25, 2021. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/169591314.
• The Daily Advertiser. 1934. "Huge black cod." January 5: 2. Accessed August 25, 2021. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/143582247.
• The Newcastle Herald. 2016. "Odd creature washed up at Swansea identified as a pike eel." February 16. Accessed August 25, 2021. https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/3732074/messed-up-croc-washes-up-on-nsw-beach/.

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