Where can I see wild koalas in Sydney?

The best place to see wild koalas in Sydney is the Smiths Creek Reserve in Campbelltown. To see captive koalas near Sydney city centre, the Wild Life Sydney Zoo is the easiest option.

Are there any wild koalas in Sydney?

Seeing wild koalas in Sydney is very difficult, as koalas have essentially been pushed out of their habitat by urban and suburban development.

There are very sporadic sightings of koalas in the fringe areas of Greater Sydney, such as the Blue Mountains and around the Hawkesbury River.

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Skip the queues – and get the best prices – with mobile-friendly advance tickets for these top Sydney attractions.

Taronga Zoo – the zoo with harbour views (and plenty of cute Aussie animals)
Sydney Opera House – official walking tour. See behind the scenes!
Wild Life Sydney – Aussie animal favourites in convenient Darling Harbour location. Perfect if on limited time.
Sydney Cricket Ground – behind the scenes secrets tour.
Sydney Tower Eye – 360 degree views from 250 metres above the city.

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Best place in Sydney to see wild koalas

The best place in Sydney to see wild koalas is arguably the Smiths Creek Reserve in Campbelltown. Koalas sightings are by no means guaranteed at the Smiths Creek Reserve, but there is indisputably a koala population living there. The koalas are often spotted by bushwalkers.

13 brilliant experiences in Sydney you should book

The Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains.

(💲Great value 💲) Tick off several bucket list items on a highlights-packed Blue Mountains day tour.
Get perfect views of the world’s most beautiful city on a Sydney Harbour helicopter tour.
Save money with a multi-attraction pass.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Enjoy the romance of a tall ship cruise on Sydney Harbour.
Eat all you can at the Skyfeast at the top of Sydney Tower.
See migrating humpbacks – on a whale-watching cruise.
(Highly recommended ✅) Go behind the scenes of Australia’s most famous building on an Opera House tour.
Dine as the city lights up on sunset dinner cruise around the harbour.
Combine beers and stories on a historic pubs tour through the convict-era Rocks district.
Stand on your board and catch waves during Bondi Beach surfing lessons.
Go to wombat and kangaroo-spotting hotspots on a Southern Highlands tour.
Enjoy Sydney’s wild side on a Manly snorkelling & nature walk.
(🥇Top choice in Sydney) And, best of all, paddle to hidden beaches on a harbour kayaking adventure.

Where is the Smiths Creek Reserve?

However, the Smiths Creek Reserve is not exactly convenient for central Sydney. Campbelltown is way to the south-west of the city, and there’s a good argument that it’s not really in Sydney at all.

The Smiths Creek Reserve is a 58km drive from central Sydney. That will take around 47 minutes if traffic is kind.

Sydney wildlife parks with koalas

If all you want to do is just see a koala, and you’re not especially bothered about whether it is wild or not, visit one of Sydney’s wildlife parks or zoos.

The best-known are Taronga Zoo on Sydney Harbour (BOOK TICKETS HERE) and the Featherdale Wildlife Park in Doonside (BOOK TICKETS HERE).

Koalas in Sydney city centre

The closest place to Sydney city centre for seeing koalas, however, is Wild Life Zoo Sydney. This animal attraction is at Darling Harbour next to Madame Tussauds and the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium.

Entrance to Wild Life Zoo Sydney costs from $36.80.

Tickets are cheaper when bought online. You can also save money buying entry as part of a combo ticket with Madame Tussauds, the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium or the Sydney Tower Eye.

Special occasion? Here’s how to do Sydney in style!

A private sunset cruise on Sydney Harbour with bubbly.
Dodge the tour buses on a private, personalised Blue Mountains day tour.
See the harbour, beaches and city skyline from a bird’s eye view on a helicopter tour.

There are also dozens more private Sydney tours, tailorable to your tastes.