5 top places to see koalas in the wild

5 top places to see koalas in the wild

Although decreasing in number throughout much of their range, koalas can still be found quite easily in some areas.

Koala in the Otway Ranges, near Bimbi Park

I've just come back from an extraordinary research trip to the Otways in Victoria with Earthwatch, where koalas are breeding prolifically. In fact, too prolifically – they're actually eating themselves out of house and home. I'll be doing a story on that soon.
The good news is that koalas are actually therefore really easy to see in the area. For a native animal that is popular across the world, and yet spends most of its life (18–22 hours a day) sleeping, it is rare to see them so easily.
Here are some of the places I recommend to see them in the wild (remember, koalas naturally don't occur in the west of the country).

Bimbi Park, Otway Ranges, Vic

This cute little caravan park and camping area is currently right in the thick of perhaps the biggest hotspot of koalas in the country. Many of the trees in the park have been protected by iron bands in order to save them, which means koalas can't climb them, but there are literally dozens and dozens of koalas in the trees all around the park. Bimbi Park is not far from the Cape Otway lighthouse, and some gorgeous Victorian coastline (off the Great Ocean Road).

Kangaroo Island, SA

Koala, Kangaroo Island, at dusk

Koalas were introduced here in the 1920s and have loved this wildlife paradise. They're quite common, but hop on any of the excellent wildlife tours on the island and they'll make sure you get up close to a few.

Magnetic Island, Qld

Right near the northern tip of their range, koalas are not necessarily prolific on Magnetic Island, but the island is small and there are enough to make sightings pretty regular. Plus, as a bonus, the gum trees are generally pretty short on the island, so you don't have to peering way up a huge blue gum to see a little ball of fur. Just ask around for the best places to see them, and keep your eyes open.

Narrandera Koala Reserve, NSW

Koalas were introduced into the reserve here in the early 1970s, and have since bred up and expanded their range. In a brilliant natural ad campaign, one was even photographed clinging to the town sign.

French Island, Vic

Perhaps the real ancestral "home" of many of today's koalas, French Island, near Melbourne, has so many koalas that it has been the source of many of the other populations. (Koalas have been translocated to many of the other areas.) You can camp or stay on a farm there, and ride bikes around to see the koalas and myriad other wildlife.

I've spied them in plenty of other places around the traps too, but am keen to hear about your favourite spots too.
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