In the quaint town of Launceston, nestled in the northern reaches of Tasmania, locals were treated to a scene that could have been plucked straight from a children's storybook.

But this was no fictional tale—it was a real-life encounter with a brown alpaca that decided to take a leisurely stroll through the local Centrelink office, leaving a trail of giggles and bemused smiles in its wake.

The alpaca, adorned with a harness, was spotted on a Tuesday, turning the government agency into an impromptu petting zoo.

The sight of the farm animal ambling about the Centrelink shopfront was so unexpected that it sparked a range of reactions, from astonishment to joy.

An alpaca has become a delight in a Centrelink office. Credit: @timradarfranklin / TikTok

A video captured from within the Centrelink walls showed a young child, eyes wide with wonder, taking a keen interest in the alpaca before a watchful parent quickly guided her to safety.

Meanwhile, the alpaca, with the poise of a seasoned visitor, continues its journey towards the exit, unfazed by the attention it's garnering.

Earlier in the day, the alpaca was seen lounging on a blanket, patiently waiting as its handler queued up to speak with Centrelink staff.

The surrounding crowd couldn't help but chuckle at the surreal sight.

'Centrelink is such a wild place, hey,' quipped one Aussie on social media.

But the Centrelink office wasn't the only stop on this alpaca's unconventional tour of Launceston.

A second video revealed the animal making a cameo in Kmart, where both staff and the handler carried on as though escorting an alpaca through the aisles was just another day at the office.

'I can't believe there's an alpaca inside,' exclaimed a voice, likely echoing the thoughts of many onlookers.

The alpaca's adventures didn't end there; it reportedly made appearances at Woolworths and even Hungry Jack's, much to the delight of the townsfolk.

It seems this alpaca is no stranger to the community, with several residents claiming to have spotted it around town on various occasions.

'This alpaca gets better days out than I do,' joked one local, while others humorously speculated that it must be an 'emotional support alpaca' to gain entry into so many establishments.

The story of the Centrelink alpaca quickly spread, with the government having yet to respond on the matter.

You can watch the video below:

Credit: @timradarfranklin / TikTok​

Key Takeaways

• Locals in Launceston, Tasmania, were surprised to see a harnessed alpaca inside a Centrelink office.
• The alpaca was also seen visiting a local Kmart, Woolworths, and Hungry Jack's, becoming a familiar sight around town.
• Videos of the alpaca at Centrelink and Kmart were shared online, prompting amusement and conversation among residents.
• Some locals humorously suggested the alpaca might be an 'emotional support alpaca' due to its presence in various stores.

Have you ever encountered an animal in an unexpected place? Share your stories with us in the comments below!

 

[rehandra]

I don't think anyone here cares what you think. I certainly don't.

Personal abuse live and well I see!

 

[Lawrence1945]

Yes a customer in Centrelink Frankston with a rat in his pocket running from one side to the other around his owners neck. Then a security guard spoke to the owners and said all animals had to remain outside. Well I just Can not tie home up outside! Then you just have to leave and return without your pet.

 

[DLHM]

It's amazing what reaction you get by feigning the abandonment of children.

When I was a few days old, my Dad took me from the St Margaret's (Crown Street) Women's Hospital in Sydney and went to the nearest pub. Plonked me on the bar and said to the barman "Can you put a head on this?" and left.

Nothing like an old family urban legend!!

Are you sure your dad was feigning abandonment?

 

[PattiB]

Launceston is a city NOT a town!!!

I regard it as a big country town masquerading as a city. Yes it is where I live!

 

[DLHM]

Are you sure your dad was feigning abandonment?

Aww…didn’t you appreciate my reply to you @Veggiepatch?

 

[Veggiepatch]

Aww…didn’t you appreciate my reply to you @Veggiepatch?

No, didn't!

No nookies for you tonight!!

 

[DLHM]

No, didn't!

No nookies for you tonight!!

Hmm….

 

[Veggiepatch]

Yes a customer in Centrelink Frankston with a rat in his pocket running from one side to the other around his owners neck. Then a security guard spoke to the owners and said all animals had to remain outside. Well I just Can not tie home up outside! Then you just have to leave and return without your pet.

I would have said to the security monkey "You should go outside as well!"

 

[Gsr]

Wonder if the Alpaca incident was before hundreds of security guards were funded through a new $314 million Albanese government investment to improve safety at Services Australia

Don’t think so, looks like a security guard in the picture. Hope it didn’t spit at anyone or on anything, alpacas have a bad habit of spitting. Don’t really think it is much good to be a companion animal, could cause a lot of damage and be hard to control if it got in a cranky mood, which alpacas can do.

 

[Kaylee]

Comes to Hobart quite often. The Alpaca is very well behaved, can't say the same for the owner.
He gets very abusive if anyone approaches them.

 

[LeahI]

Can you claim an alpaca as a support animal??
Love alpacas, they're so cute .
You can't take a dog into any of these stores unless it's a support dog so I guess it must be
Interesting

My thoughts also. Will they have to alter the rules for other animals now?

 

[Cheviegirl]

Yes we met a lovely Alpaca sitting outside a Bakery in Sheffield Tasmania last year. It made my day.

 

[Leanne D]

So, if you needed to go to Centrelink to help yourself, and live in a car with a child, would you lock the child in the car till you got back?
People in Centerlink are just people and need respect the same as everyone else.

That comment really made my blood boil. What should the child be tied up outside? Or maybe it was the Nannty's day off? What a entitled opinion! Nobody WANTS to go to the Centrelink Shop front!

 

[Iggydi]

I did that in Wellington with my two girls over a council flat, they told me that was nothing available so plonked them on the counter and told them in that case they could look after them? The girls were already in on the ruse so when I walked away, they started carrying on and before I got near the door, Lo and behold they'd find me a two bedroom flat.

Good on you. Sometimes that is the only way of getting something done

 

[Rujam]

I too love alpacas. Years ago a circus vehicle loaded with 2 circus elephants stopped at our local service station. I was talking to their handler. I was shocked to read in the paper the next day that there had been an accident and the elephants were killed. I can't for the life of me remember if their handler died too,

 

[Annna]

To each his own.

 

[Towing]

My understanding is the child was not with the lady who had the alpaca. The child was fascinated with the Alpaca, as they are with other animals. It must be used as a Companion Alpaca the same as people have Therapy / companion dogs or cats, otherwise it would not be allowed in buildings used by the general public.
The person who had the child there may not have had anybody to mind him / her. I don't think there is any mention of the child being abandoned