AD | What animals do you usually associate with Australia? For me, it’s the kangaroo, the platypus, and the koala. It’s true that Australia is renowned for its diverse and unique wildlife, but one of the cutest, most fascinating animals on the planet is definitely the koala. Famous for sleeping up to 20 hours a day (even my cats aren’t this idle), and mainly munching on eucalyptus trees, they are fascinating creatures that are full of surprises. Sadly, koalas lost substantial portions of their habitat in the 2019-2020 bushfires, but there are still plenty of places to get up close and personal with them.
Top 4 Nature Parks in Australia to see Koalas
While seeing them in the wild is an extremely authentic and magical experience, a great place to discover koalas is in one of Australia’s many conservation nature parks. Here you can get really close to one – and even take a picture. And you can also learn interesting facts about them, and contribute to conservation efforts too. Given there are nature parks scattered all over Australia and her islands, it can be difficult to know where to start. So here are 4 of the top nature parks in Australia to choose from, handily located all over the country.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
As the name suggests, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is certainly one of the top places to visit if you’re crazy about koalas. Not only does it provide interactive experiences including feeding and greeting them, but it cares for sick, orphaned and injured koalas in the park’s animal hospitals too. When Claude Reider originally opened Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in 1927, he did so only with the intention of caring for koalas.
Since then, however, it has become a popular tourist attraction for meeting these creatures in their natural habitat. You can also explore other Australian animals such as wallabies and kangaroos with the option of feeding them too. Located just outside of Brisbane, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is easy to reach by both public transport and car, making it the ideal escape from the busy city of Brisbane.
Kuranda Koala Gardens
If you’re looking for that once-in-a-life-time photo with a koala, then Kuranda Koala Gardens is the place to visit! Not only can you hold them and give them a cuddle, but you can capture the moment forever with a picture from a professional photographer.
As a boutique nature park, Kuranda Koala Gardens is all about the aesthetics and also home to an array of other Australian creatures such as quokkas, snakes, crocodiles and wallabies. Not forgetting some of Australia’s breathtaking, lush green rainforests. You can easily reach Kuranda Koala Gardens from Cairns, and don’t miss taking the Kuranda Scenic Railway through the trees.
Kangaroo Island
As the only island in Australia which is home to over 25,000 koalas, you will definitely spot at least one or two on Kangaroo Island. The island is dedicated to repopulating the species, which accounts for the immense number of animals living on the island. You can also learn interesting facts about koalas via the Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary Tours, which operate throughout the year.
Situated just off the coast, Kangaroo Island is easy to reach by ferry from the city of Adelaide. Known for its idyllic, sandy white beaches, Kangaroo Island is an amazing place to visit though, regardless of whether or not you’re keen to see koalas. And definitely worth it if you’re in the South of Australia.
Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park
From koalas to kangaroos, Moonlit Sanctuary is home to a plethora of Australian creatures, yet koalas are certainly a focal point. Offering the unique experience of getting up close and taking a photo with a friendly marsupial, Moonlit Sanctuary provides that unforgettable, interactive experience.
And you’ll also get to learn some of the most surprising facts about these truly unique creatures. Located south of Melbourne, Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park is an incredible escape to nature whilst visiting Melbourne.
Other Nature Parks in Australia with Koalas
I haven’t had the pleasure of visiting Australia – yet – but I think it would make the perfect family holiday. And not just because Flora and I are both huge fans of koalas. In the meantime though, we’re very lucky to have Longleat Safari Park just down the road from where we live. And not so long ago they acquired some of these cute little marsupials. So, with Australia designated as a future bucket list trip, and until we’re able to travel safely once more, we’ll just have to keep visiting our locals, much to Flora’s delight!
Are you a fan of koalas? Have you ever been Down Under, or visited any of these top 4 nature parks in Australia? If not, is it something you’d like to do one day?
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Oh amazing!!! I love Koala’s – I would love to visit one of these nature parks. Myself & my partner are hoping to visit Australia within the next couple years. So this is super helpful – I need to remember this post x
Wow, what great timing for this post! Thank you so much, I’m glad this was helpful 🙂 x
Ah this is on the bucket list for sure – heard some great things about Kangaroo Island xx
It would be such a dream holiday! xx
The koala in Moonlit Sanctuary has a resting bitch face haha. Such a cute article. Your love for koalas is awesome! Keep up the good work.
Yes indeed, probably had their photo taken too many times 🙂 and thank you!
I miss traveling to Australia. Koalas and kangaroos are the cutest creatures in the world.
Ah, I hope you can visit again next year x
What a lovely post! We were just watching a video a few hours ago of a Koala which had made its way up a family’s Christmas tree!! They really are amazing animals, would love to see check out one of these places one day – must add it to our list 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
What a coincidence, that must have been something to watch – and thank you, glad you enjoyed the post 🙂
I would love to see Koalas sometime – and Austrailia!
It would be so amazing 🙂
Lovely post! I really want to go to Australia one day and see some koalas because they are so cute! Thanks for sharing this! I loved reading this!
Thank you – they are soooo cute, arent’t they? It’s those squashed noses, I think!
I would love to see these guys in their natural habitats in Australia! I adore animals, and these guys are so cute and look so benevolent. I hope that some re-planting can be done to help expand the habitat lost from the fires.
Yes, I agree, I think those horrendous bushfires will take a LOT of re-planting though 🙁
I would absolutely loooove to go to Australia and I would cry if I saw real life koalas!
Rosie
I know, they are so cute!
I’d love to go and see the koalas! 😀
Especially in the wild 🙂
I really enjoyed this post as I love koala bears! Unfortunately Australia is one place I will never get to so I’m thrilled that you were able to post such great photos! Thanks for sharing.
Ah that’s a shame, but thank you, and I’m so glad you enjoyed the post!
Oh I love koala bears, they’re adorable! I love that there’s some places in Australia to go and see them! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
I think there are lots of places – these are the top 4 that I know of though 🙂 x
I visited a koala place in Australia almost 20 years ago when I was little and got to carry one, it was the cutest little experience ever!
✨ Marissa Belle ✨
Oh wow, that sounds amazing, I’m not surprised you still remember it so well!
Thanks for sharing, I have been wanting to see Koalas in Aus for many years, since my dad bought me a jumper from his business trips there when I was growing up, great list of places to see them, even the ones closer to home, maybe one day when we can travel again 🙂
It would be a dream to see them in the wild but until then Longleat does a good job 🙂
Koalas are my favorite animal and back in 2012 me and my parents went to Australia! We did see koalas in Sydney & Cairns & in Cairns was where I got to hold one! I don’t remember the names of the places of we went, but it was fun! I would love to go back one year & visit Kangaroo Island!
Oh wow, getting to cuddle a koala would be the dream, you are so lucky! What wonderful memories to treasure 🙂
I have never been to Australia but this post caught my attention because I call my youngest daughter my Koala, she always loves hanging on my back and when she was little she would always cuddle up to my back. I will have to show her the photos in your post so I can see her face light up.
Ah, that’s such a lovely memory to have, and I hope your daughter loves the photos too!