Where to see koalas in Australia
Top places to see koalas in Australia include Port Macquarie, Magnetic Island, Kennett River, Cleland Conservation Reserve, Kangaroo Island and Tidbinbilla.
Koalas are arguably the most beloved Australian creatures. Despite bushfires affecting their habitat, koalas can be spotted in the wild in several Australian destinations.
Where to see koalas in Victoria
There are several places to spot koalas on the Great Ocean Road. Kennett River and Cape Otway are the most reliable destinations. At the end of the Great Ocean Road, in Koroit near Warrnambool, the Tower Hill Reserve is another good option.
Elsewhere in Victoria, there are healthy koala colonies on French Island – take the French Island ferry from Stony Point on the Mornington Peninsula. Neighbouring Phillip Island is home to the Koala Conservation Reserve. Here, the koalas can be seen at eye level from a boardwalk.
Koalas in South Australia
You don’t have to veer too far from Adelaide CBD to see wild koalas in South Australia. Several hang out along the walking trails of the Morialta Conservation Park near Morialta Falls. You’ll also see the sleepy fellas on a mountain bike tour through the Cleland Conservation Reserve.
Elsewhere in South Australia, try the walking trails of the Onkaparinga National Park in the McLaren Vale. Further south, there are also tens of thousands of koalas on Kangaroo Island. Alternatively, there’s the Mikkira Station on the Eyre Peninsula near the South Australian town of Port Lincoln.
Where to see koalas in Australia’s other states
In Queensland, the inland walks on Magnetic Island are classic koala territory. The same applies to the Noosa National Park, easily accessed on a walk from Hastings Street in beach town Noosa.
In New South Wales, Port Macquarie is famed for having koalas that amble around suburban streets, as well as camel rides on Lighthouse Beach. Meanwhile, the Tilligerry Habitat in Port Stephens is a popular koala hang-out, too.
The best place to see koalas in Sydney is a wildlife park such as Featherdale or Wild Life Sydney.
In the Australia Capital Territory, the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve just outside Canberra is the best bet for seeing wild koalas.
Koalas in zoos and wildlife parks
If you’re not bothered about the koalas being wild, most Australian zoos and wildlife parks will do the trick. Taronga Zoo in Sydney has plenty of koalas on show. In some states, however, you’ll find it’s possible to hold a koala at a wildlife park. Examples include the Kuranda Koala Gardens near Cairns.
The Australian Koala Foundation has information on wildlife parks where it is possible to see koalas in Australia.
More wildlife encounters in Australia
Crocodiles on a Corroborree Billabong wetland cruise in the Northern Territory.
Penguins on Penguin Island near Perth.
Spotting kangaroos and whales at Woodgate Beach near Bundaberg.
Camel rides at Uluru in the Red Centre.