10 Dec 2024
Conservation and nature tourism come together at Guulabaa Place of Koala
The Guulabaa Place of Koala tourism precinct is now officially open in the Cowarra State Forest, following a $6.1 million investment from the Australian and NSW Government’s Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund.
The word Guulabaa means “Place of Koala” in local Gathang, the language of the Biripi people of the Mid North Coast.
The newly opened project allows visitors to enjoy the Cowarra State Forest, and new connected facilities, including:
- Australia’s world first wild Koala breeding facility
- Bunyah Local Aboriginal Land Council’s café
- Bunyah Bilbay Aboriginal art gallery
- The Big Koala, part of Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail
- WildNets treetop playground, which has already attracted over 90,000 customers in its first two years.
Funding also delivered forest viewing decks, signage, site fencing, construction of toilet facilities, sealed road access, and water and electricity connection.
Forestry Corporation NSW has led the way maximising the public and conservation benefits of Cowarra State Forest to deliver a thriving tourism and koala conservation, precinct and showcasing the qualities of renewable timber production.
Timbers for the project have been generously supplied for this project by Coffs Harbour Hardwoods, Big River Timbers, Hurford Hardwood, Weathertex, Ironwood Australia, Hayden Timbers, Pentarch Forestry and Machin’s Sawmill.
The project represents a partnership in forest management, bringing together local organisations committed to showcasing Aboriginal heritage and cultural practices, forest ecology and koala conservation, forest timber products, plus art and design for the visiting public.
For more information, go to Guulabaa Place of Koala.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister:
'This project not only supports the Mid-North community to rebuild, but helps boost the local economy, while protecting our natural treasures.
'With new walking trails and better amenities, the Guulabaa Place of Koala tourism precinct will help bring more visitors into the region and showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Biripi people.
'The Australian and NSW Governments are focused on supporting communities recover from natural disaster every step of the way.'
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty:
'Guulabaa represents a new chapter in State Forest conservation and nature tourism, providing a unique space offering an experience that educates and inspires visitors, plus supports koala breeding and protection.
'Thanks go to Forestry Corporation, the timber industry, and partners in this project, who have provided regional NSW with a fantastic visitor attraction that is a tribute to trees, forests and Koalas.
'The timber used to build Guulabaa has been sustainably harvested from State forests on the north coast highlighting the high-quality building products produced by our timber industry.'
Quotes attributable Chief Executive Officer at Forestry Corporation of NSW, Anshul Chaudhary:
'Forest-based tourism brings enormous benefits to regional NSW in attracting visitors and generating employment in local communities.
'Thank you to the Australian and NSW Governments who have shown commitment to backing projects that strengthen community resilience, support economic recovery, and bring people together in our great state forests.
'Timber is the ultimate renewal product. For every tree that is harvested in State forests another grows in its place. In the construction industry hardwood timber as a building material is unrivalled in terms of its sustainability and carbon footprint.'