Featherdale Wildlife Park, DoonsideCredit: Destination NSW
Koala resting in a tree at Featherdale Wildlife Park, Doonside
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Feel your heart melt when you encounter koalas in New South Wales. Native to the state, these endearing marsupials known for their big fluffy ears and adorable snoozing habits, are found throughout coastal and Country NSW. Here’s where to admire the iconic creatures at home among the gum trees.
Get a thrill admiring koalas up close around Sydney
Experience the buzz of a close-up koala encounter without leaving Sydney at of Taronga Zoo, Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park, Koala Park Sydney and Wild Life Sydney — while cuddling koalas is not permitted in NSW, you can get close to them at these venues. At the Australian Reptile Park on the Central Coast, an hour’s drive north of Sydney, your visit directly supports conservation with its charity partner, Aussie Ark, creating and protecting koala habitats. And an hour’s drive south of the city centre, you can take happy snaps with koalas at the family-owned Symbio Wildlife Park in Helensburgh, bordering the Royal National Park.
Get a glow glamping with koalas
Spend an unforgettable night at Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary, less than an hour’s drive from Newcastle, or 2.5 hours north from . Unwind and recharge in a glamping tent, studio room or deluxe suite all set in stunning Port Stephens bushland. Get acquainted with your furry neighbours — they tend to sleep for up to 20 hours a day — on the informative Sanctuary Story Walk, then head to the Skywalk for a close-up view of the charismatic creatures from an elevated platform. Stop by the on-site Koala Hospital and look through the observation window at furry patients being treated for injuries or illnesses. Take comfort in the knowledge your visit helps fund the Sanctuary’s not-for-profit partner, Port Stephens Koalas, which works to conserve the local wild population and its habitat.
Koala Hospital, Port Macquarie Credit: Destination NSW
Resident koala at the Koala Hospital in Port Macquarie.
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Koala Hospital, Port Macquarie Credit: Destination NSW
Resident koala at the Koala Hospital in Port Macquarie.
Symbio Wildlife Park, Helensburgh Credit: Destination NSW
Friendly koala at Symbio Wildlife Park, Helensburgh in the Illawarra region.
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Symbio Wildlife Park, Helensburgh Credit: Destination NSW
Friendly koala at Symbio Wildlife Park, Helensburgh in the Illawarra region.
Pay it forward to koalas in Port Macquarie
Uncover one of the state’s largest wild koala populations in Port Macquarie on the NSW North Coast, where you may be lucky enough to spot koalas dozing in the fragrant eucalypt forests of Koolunbung Creek Nature Reserve and Sea Acres National Park — remember to log your sightings with the I Spy Koala app so other visitors can share the joy. Then play a role in koala conservation on a guided tour of the world-renowned Koala Hospital, and observe the adorable resident koalas that were unable to be returned to the wild exploring their enclosures. If you’re visiting in September, roll up to the annual Hello Koalas Festival and Treasure Hunt for a fun-filled family day out that also supports koala conservation.
Help make an impact with a koala safari
Savour the magical feeling of spotting koalas in their natural habitat in the Byron Bay hinterland on the far . The wildlife guides from Vision Walks Eco Tours guarantee wild koala sightings on their half-day koala tour through one of several serene koala habitats in the region. Feel even more of a buzz from the experience knowing that a donation is made on behalf of every tour participant to local charity Friends of the Koala to help fund the care of sick and injured koalas. Or head 20 minutes out of town to the Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary to meet koalas as well as wombats, kangaroos and emus.
Fitzroy Falls, Morton National Park Credit: Kramer Photography; www.kramer.photography
The scenic Fitzroy Falls in Morton National Park, Fitzroy Falls.
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Fitzroy Falls, Morton National Park Credit: Kramer Photography; www.kramer.photography
The scenic Fitzroy Falls in Morton National Park, Fitzroy Falls.
Tomaree Head Summit Walk, Port Stephens Credit: Destination NSW
Port Stephens is prime koala habitat.
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Tomaree Head Summit Walk, Port Stephens Credit: Destination NSW
Port Stephens is prime koala habitat.
Immerse yourself in Koala Country
Breathe in the soothing eucalyptus-scented air on a hike in Guula Ngurra National Park, an easy two-hour drive south of Sydney in the Southern Highlands. Established in 2020, the park protects 3,358 hectares of vital koala habitat — its name means “Koala Country” in the local Gundungurra Aboriginal language. Feel the burn on the short but intense 3km Mount Penang Loop Walk, where 360-degree views showcase a sprawling wilderness in which koalas are protected for future generations. Here you’ll discover that koalas share their home with more than 130 important Australian species, including the endangered glossy black cockatoo and at least 20 more that are under threat, including the red-breasted flame robin and the incredibly cute squirrel glider.
Explore koala-friendly country towns
Escape to Country NSW to marvel at the robust wild koala population in Gunnedah, an hour’s drive from Tamworth in the state’s northwest, where their human neighbours have planted and extended tree corridors to link their habitats. Between visiting and supporting local attractions such as the Gunnedah Cultural Precinct, Breaker Morant Drive and the Water Tower Museum, keep an eye out for koalas around the Visitor Information Centre, along the Stock Road cycling track, at Porcupine Lookout and in the river gums of Anzac Park. Or hone your spotting skills at Narrandera Koala Reserve, around an hour’s drive from Griffith in the Riverina region in the state’s southwest, where more than 200 koalas live among river red gums.
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Lake Mulwala, MulwalaCredit: Alesha Jewel Bradford
Scenic sunset over Lake Mulwala in the Murray region.
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Keen for an extraordinary new adventure on your next escape? Head southwest from Sydney to Australia’s longest river, the Murray for a truly incredible array of experiences. Paddle steamer tours, kayaking, fishing, golfing, excellent local and seasonal food and wine, and stunning natural scenery await.
Sightsee on a paddlesteamer
While you can catch a paddlesteamer up the Murray on a one-hour cruise, to fully appreciate the waterway it’s hard to look past an overnight experience. Jump aboard PS Emmylou for one- to six-night itineraries to and from the Port of Echuca (the Discovery Centre here is worth a visit). The experience offers a leisurely look at life on the river, not in the least the staggering 600-year-old red gums that line the banks. When you dock, enjoy campfire breakfasts, guided bushwalks and visits to the cellar doors of the region’s top wineries.
Pick up some speed
Parts of the Murray are extremely wide, making the river ideal for waterskiing expeditions. The Southern 80 in Echuca Moama is an adrenaline-pumping pro-waterskiing event attracting some of the world’s top athletes. But anyone can give this high-octane activity a go, with local operators like Brett Sands Watersports offering professional instruction in waterskiing, as well as wakeboarding, knee boarding and barefooting.
Soak up serenity
A manmade reservoir 150km east of Echuca Moama, Lake Mulwala was created to control the flow of the river, and is today known for its ghostly gum trunks protruding from the water’s surface. The setting is particularly magical at sunset — weave your kayak through the eerie trees, on the lookout for nesting waterbirds, your soundtrack the chatter of cockatoos, corellas and kookaburras. Contact the Yarrawonga Mulwala Amateur Canoe Club for rentals and tours.
Explore on two wheels
For cyclists, Five Mile Mountain Bike Trail provides seven kilometres of purpose-built mountain bike tracks, shaded by enormous red gums. Situated in the Murray Valley Regional Park, just a few kilometres north of Moama, the route is great for riders of all experience levels, offering an exhilarating mix of terrain with drops, flowing bridges and wall rides — there’s also a skills area and a pump track.
Join the club
There are more than a dozen world-class golf courses fringing the Murray River — some of the most highly rated in regional Australia, in fact. Head to 18-hole Howlong Golf Resort for immaculate greens and fairways surrounded by native bush, particularly pretty in spring when everything blooms; there’s on-site accommodation, should you wish to linger. Corowa Golf Club also has a hotel alongside its 27-hole championship golf course, not to mention the cinema, clubhouse and pro-shop. And at Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort, you can choose to tee off from three different courses: The Murray, situated beside the river; The Lake, with views of Lake Mulwala; and the shorter Executive, ideal for beginners.
Dine on the water
From produce-driven cafés and restaurants to foodie trails, farmers markets, orchards, olive groves, wineries, whisky distilleries and craft breweries, the Murray region doesn’t disappoint on the food front. Get a taste for the diversity of offerings at Redgums, a moving dining room on the deck of the PS Emmylou. Enjoy local wines and seasonal produce as you cruise along the river, spotting native wildlife on the banks while you feast.
Murray Highlight Selects Credit: Destination NSW
A selection of visuals from the Murray region including Woomargama National Park, Lake Mulwala, Corowa Whiskey Distillery, Yarrawonga Golf Club, Blacksmith Provedore, Mulwala, Junction Moama, The River Deck Cafe, Albury,
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Murray Highlight Selects Credit: Destination NSW
A selection of visuals from the Murray region including Woomargama National Park, Lake Mulwala, Corowa Whiskey Distillery, Yarrawonga Golf Club, Blacksmith Provedore, Mulwala, Junction Moama, The River Deck Cafe, Albury,
PS Emmylou, Echuca-Moama Credit: Destination NSW
Couple aboard the Paddlesteamer Emmylou as it cruises along the Murray River.
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PS Emmylou, Echuca-Moama Credit: Destination NSW
Couple aboard the Paddlesteamer Emmylou as it cruises along the Murray River.
The Murray River, Barmah National Park Credit: Destination NSW
Kayaking on the Murray River, Barmah National Park
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The Murray River, Barmah National Park Credit: Destination NSW
Kayaking on the Murray River, Barmah National Park
Follow a foodie trail
With your tastebuds piqued, explore the Murray’s culinary offerings further on Tastes of Echuca Moama & District, which points out local wineries, distilleries, farm gates, cheesemongers, markets, coffee roasteries and more. Pick up a map from the Echuca Moama and District Visitor Information Centre in Echuca. While you’re seeking out local produce, make the detour to Corowa Whisky and Chocolate, set inside a 1920s flour mill and selling handmade blocks and bars made using Belgium chocolate, as well as a range of delicious distilled drops.
Find time for wine
A small grape-growing region on the banks of the Murray, centred on the twin towns of Echuca Moama, Perricoota is developing a reputation for producing premium shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay and fortified wines. Stop past the cellar door at Morrisons Riverview Winery, which also has a stellar restaurant and brewery. Visit St Anne’s Vineyards, where the rammed-earth cellar door overlooks a tranquil lake. And check out Restdown Wines — the organic vineyard also features a Wetland Walk, offering a glimpse of wildlife across the property.
Wine and dine in style
For an alfresco lunch of wood-fired pizzas and wine, head to Blacksmith Provedore at Lake Mulwala. The dreamy design — pastel-pink sun umbrellas on a grassy patio, light-and-bright interiors flecked with greenery — is only outshone by menus favouring local producers.
Also popular for its outside dining opportunities is The River Deck Café in Albury Wodonga, perched right on the water in Noreuil Park. The menu nods to the region — think fresh trout, house-cured meats and Murray cod.
Set up home on a houseboat
There’s no better way to take the pulse of the mighty Murray than by hiring a houseboat for a night or two — or a week. The good news is that anyone can do it — you don’t need a boat licence to captain one of these rivercraft. Pick your accommodation, whether a basic two-berth boat or a luxurious floating ‘hotel’ with a spa, air-conditioning and open-plan kitchen. Then kit it out with jet-skis, paddleboards, kayaks and fishing gear. Echuca Luxury Houseboats has a modern fleet of state-of-the-art boats to choose from, while Dinky-Di Houseboat Holidays offers good-value rentals, ideal for families (some are even pet friendly).
Sleep on dry land
Prefer not to sleep on water? Check in to the Perricoota Vines Retreat just north of Moama, its one- to three-bedroom timber villas overlooking vineyards and a lake. The Moama on Murray Resort and Echuca Moama Holiday Villas are other great options, offering self-contained villas and units in a serene bushland setting. For a romantic stay, Talo Retreat has traditional Mongolian yurts (circular tent-like structures) kitted out with domed skylights, timber floors, a kitchenette and spa. And Atura Albury offers modern hotel rooms with an industrial-chic design vibe.
Pitch a tent
Immerse yourself in nature at Benarca campgrounds, a free, pet-friendly camp and caravan site in the Murray Valley Regional Park — in addition to beautiful views of the river, the area is just a short stroll (or pedal) to the Five Mile Mountain Bike Trail. Enjoy fishing, birdwatching and hiking in the shade of the majestic red river gums.
Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort, Mulwala Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial overlooking Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort, Mulwala and the Murray River.
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Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort, Mulwala Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial overlooking Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort, Mulwala and the Murray River.
The Murray River, Credit: Destination NSW
Camping on the Murray River.
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The Murray River, Credit: Destination NSW
Camping on the Murray River.