Australia is well-known for its quirky wildlife, and the cuddly-looking koala is among its most iconic inhabitants. These eucalyptus-loving marsupials captivate locals and tourists with their big, fuzzy ears and sleepy demeanour.
For junior fans of Izzy’s Koala World, an encounter with the adorable animals is probably at the top of their bucket list. From island holiday hotspots to dedicated wildlife sanctuaries, families can easily add a koala encounter to their travel itinerary or visit a local conservation park during the school holidays.
Knowing where to look can make all the difference – and with so many koala-spotting destinations around Australia, there’s bound to be one near you.
Where to see koalas in Australia
Below, you’ll find ten of the best spots across the country where you can see koalas, whether you want to play koala hide-and-seek in the wild or visit a working koala hospital.
1. Magnetic Island, Queensland
Where: A 20-minute ferry ride from Townsville
With the largest koala population in northern Australia, you are pretty much guaranteed to spot one in the wild on Magnetic Island near Townsville. The hit Netflix series Izzy’s Koala World is filmed here, but while you can’t visit the veterinary hospital featured in the show (yet), you are sure to see them snoozing in the gum trees along the Forts Walk trail or get up close on a wildlife park tour or during the breakfast with the koalas experience at Roamer Magnetic Island Koala Park (formerly Selina Magnetic Island). They have even been known to wander into the lobby and restaurant at Peppers Blue on Blue Resort at Nelly Bay.
DISCOVER MORE: 16 fun things to do in Townsville with kids
2. Phillip Island, Victoria
Where: A 90-minute drive from Melbourne
You can see koalas in their natural habitat at the Koala Conservation Reserve, in Rhyll on Phillip Island. It takes around 20 minutes to walk the 800-metre loop of both the Tree Top Koala Boardwalk and 600-metre Tree Top Woodland Boardwalk. There are also fantastic interactive displays in the visitor centre where you can learn about what organisations including Friends of Koalas and Barb Martin Bushbank are doing to help wildlife in the area. Afterwards, kids can run amok in the nature play area, which has installations inspired by wildlife and nature, and plant a seed to take home at the native seed station.
TOP TIP: Save up to 20% on tickets with a 3-Park Combo Pass – giving you access to the Koala Conservation Reserve, Churchill Island Heritage Farm and the famous Penguin Parade.
3. Kangaroo Island, South Australia
Where: A 90-minute drive from Adelaide, plus a 45-minute ferry ride
A visit to this island off the coast of South Australia is like an Australian wildlife safari. While it’s called Kangaroo Island, you’re just as likely to see koalas snoozing in the gum trees as you are to see their furry friends hopping around. Head to Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park for an encounter, or search for them in the wild in Flinders Chase National Park. While there aren’t as many koalas as there were before the 2020 bushfires, the population is growing on the island.
4. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Queensland
Where: Fig Tree Pocket, 12km from Brisbane CBD
Established in 1927, Lone Pine is the oldest koala sanctuary on the planet. The Brisbane attraction is also the biggest, with more than 100 koalas ready to meet excited kiddies. There are several ways to do it. While you can no longer hold koalas here, you can touch one to feel its fur and take a happy snap with the Koala Moment, or do a behind-the-scenes Koala Discovery Tour. Children can also find out what it’s like to care for the creatures by being a Junior Keeper for the day during the school holidays.
5. Raymond Island, Victoria
Where: A five-minute ferry ride from Paynesville, in the Gippsland region
Catch the ferry to this small island in the Gippsland Lakes region and follow the signs along the 1.2-kilometre Koala Walk, which starts the moment you step off the vessel. Raymond Island, between Lake King and Lake Victoria, is home to more than 200 koalas, so your chances of spotting one are good. In fact, there are so many koalas here it’s even been dubbed “Koala Island”. The ferry departs Paynesville regularly and is free for pedestrians and people with bikes. You can also hire a bike from Ride the Koalas once you’re there and pedal along the trail, but it’s best to book in advance if you’re visiting in winter.
6. Caversham Wildlife Park, Western Australia
Where: Around 25 minutes’ drive north of Perth
Combine a trip visiting the sensational wineries of the Swan Valley with a visit to Caversham Wildlife Park. You can meet and get your photo taken with a koala three times daily at 9am, 11.30am and 3.30pm at no extra cost, or book a session to hold a koala at 12pm. Tickets for the latter experience cost $35. You can still see the koalas any time during the day. The attraction houses the largest collection of wildlife in Western Australia, so you’re bound to have a great day out!
7. Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary, NSW
Where: Less than three hours’ drive north of Sydney
Immerse yourself in the koala’s natural habitat with an overnight stay at Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary near Newcastle. There are 20 glamping tents to stay in at the attraction, which is run by Port Stephens Council in partnership with Port Stephens Koala Hospital. Book a tour to learn about how the sick, injured and orphaned koalas are cared for and find out more about their conservation. The round-trip walk is around a kilometre long and easily accessible for people of all ages and abilities.
READ OUR REVIEW: Top things to do in Port Stephens with kids
8. Cleland Wildlife Park, South Australia
Where: A half-hour drive from Adelaide
Step into the state-of-the-art koala loft, set to open in late 2024, to see some of the much-loved marsupials at Cleland Wildlife Park just outside Adelaide in South Australia. The temperature-controlled enclosure means visitors can interact with koalas in the same place year-round, because they don’t need to be moved between lofts. There are a range of experiences catering to different budgets, including patting a koala and getting your photo taken with it, holding one and a behind-the-scenes tour with a keeper.
9. Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, ACT
Where: A 50-minute drive from Canberra
Follow the 700-metre Koala Path at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, a wilderness wonderland in the ACT. The loop walk takes around 20 minutes, taking you through the Eucalypt Forest, which is a predator-proof enclosure where the koalas live. There’s also a smaller enclosure at the start of the walk, where you can see the koalas up close. You may also spy other native Australian animals, including wallabies and potoroos, while you’re there and there are some lovely picnic areas and a Nature Discovery Playground.
10. Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, NSW
Peek into the clinic at Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, a dedicated facility where rescued koalas are treated and cared for before being returned to the wild. The not-for-profit Port Macquarie attraction also has several enclosures for permanent residents and rehabilitation yards where koalas learn to climb trees as part of the rehabilitation process. You can also check out the Koalaseum, a kid-friendly museum where you can learn about the species’ evolution and biology and look at koala poo, known as scat, through a microscope. You can do a self-guided outdoor tour or book a 45-minute guided group tour on weekdays (except public holidays and school holidays).
What to know about koala encounters in Australia
Koala encounters are a huge drawcard for wildlife lovers—but there are guidelines to keep in mind. Here’s how to make it a safe and enjoyable experience for you and the animals.
How can I have an ethical koala encounter?
Many wildlife parks and sanctuaries across the country offer interactive koala experiences (including having your photo taken). Before you book, it’s important to do your research and choose a reputable sanctuary or park that prioritises the welfare of koalas. Koala experiences may also have age restrictions or height requirements.
When arriving for a koala encounter, always follow the instructions provided by the park or sanctuary staff to minimise stress on the animals. Animal welfare regulations strictly limit the daily duration of koala interactions, so booking in advance is recommended to reserve a spot in these popular sessions.
Lastly, visiting sanctuaries and animal hospitals supports conservation programs helping to protect koala populations and their habitats from threats. As habitat loss and bushfires continue to displace native wildlife, each visit can contribute to these critical efforts.
Where can I cuddle or hold a koala in Australia?
Koala ‘cuddling’ is always in demand, but wildlife protection laws no longer allow visitors to hold koalas in most Australian states. Queensland and South Australia are the only states where it’s still legal for attraction guests to hold a koala, but most zoos and sanctuaries avoid this for welfare reasons. Brisbane’s Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary voluntarily swapped its classic cuddle sessions for educational koala encounters in 2024.
There are still many places where visitors can have their photo taken with a koala, and in some cases, limited patting may be permitted. However, the ‘Look Don’t Touch’ philosophy is gaining momentum when it comes to wildlife experiences. For parents, it’s a great lesson to pass down to the next generation of animal lovers while admiring Australia’s unique wildlife from a distance.
Opening image: A sleepy koala at Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary
