On the 30th anniversary of the Where's Wally? book series, the enigmatic main character is crouched behind a Sydney bookshelf hiding from his fans.

Wally, who has been instructed not to talk, is eventually found by eight-year-olds Oliver and Sarah.

"He was a bit quiet but I like him," Sarah said.

"I think he was quiet because he didn't want anyone to know where he was," Oliver said.

Nicole Mackenzie loved the Wally books from childhood and shares them with daughter Sasha. ( ABC News: Lily Mayers )

"I love Where's Wally because it's like a puzzle, it's the best when you've got nothing to do.

"I wonder if Odlaw is evil," Oliver pondered about Wally's infamous enemy.

Five million Where's Wally books have been sold in Australia since 1987.

A 30th-anniversary edition has been released to celebrate Wally's birthday and Nicole Mackenzie's nine-year-old daughter Sasha has already read it and found Wally on every page.

"I've been reading Wally for 30 years and have reread them with my children," Ms Mackenzie said.

"Each time you read it, it's new and exciting again."

Eight-year-old Austin Goserie dressed up as Wally to meet the man himself.

Austin Goserie, 8, dressed up for Where's Wally's 30th birthday. ( ABC News: Lily Mayers )

"I think it's so popular because of the colours, the intricate pictures of the crowds and the fact that every time the kids go back they find something different in that picture," event organiser Samantha Symonds said.

Each scene takes British author Martin Handford months to draw.

"As I work my way through a picture, I add Wally when I come to what I feel is a good place to hide him," Mr Handford said.

Can you find Wally?

Where's Wally? ( ABC News: Lily Mayers )