A brushtail possum was found in the plush toy section of the Lagardère AWPL gift shop at Hobart Airport on March 19, 2026, at 11:45 a.m. The unexpected visitor was spotted among toy kangaroos, bilbies, dingoes, and Tasmanian devils, delighting passengers and staff.
The possum remained calm as airport staff escorted it out of the terminal. Liam Bloomfield, the retail manager of the gift shop, expressed the store’s affection for the creature, stating, “We’ll have a little shrine to the possum.” This whimsical idea reflects the lighthearted atmosphere surrounding the incident.
Captured on camera, the possum was seen huddled among the soft toys, briefly venturing into the departure lounge before being guided outside. Bloomfield humorously remarked, “We always knew our plushie toy collection was lifelike, but it seems we finally got the ultimate seal of approval.” This incident has not only amused those present but also sparked conversations on social media.
One social media user commented, “This would make my whole year. So cute,” highlighting the widespread affection for the possum. The presence of the brushtail possum, one of five species of possum found in Tasmania, adds a unique twist to the airport’s daily operations.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding how the possum entered the secure departure terminal, and it is unclear how long it had been in the shop before being spotted. The mystery surrounding its arrival only adds to the charm of this unusual event.