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.
More Inspirational Stories
Glasshouse Rocks, NaroomaCredit: Destination NSW
Father and son heading out for a morning surf at Glasshouse Rocks, Narooma.
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Put this glorious stretch of the New South Wales coastline on your holiday radar and drive four hours south from Sydney to discover the charming Eurobodalla region. You’ll have plenty of easy adventures on this laidback coastal getaway stretching from South Durras down to Tilba Tilba on the NSW South Coast. Elevate your visit with these 10 memorable experiences.
Go snorkelling with seals
Experience the unforgettable thrill of snorkelling alongside playful fur seals on a day trip to Montague Island, a protected nature reserve just off the coast of Narooma. Local operators such as Montague Island Adventures can take you on this exhilarating adventure and if you book between November and May you might be lucky enough to share your trip with migrating whales. You can also tour the island’s historic lighthouse and significant Aboriginal sites or seize the rare chance to stay overnight in a lighthouse keeper’s cottage.
Get back to nature with your family
Connect with your loved ones in the inspiring surrounds of Murramarang National Park, which offers a family-friendly taster of the magnificent coastal wilderness in the Eurobodalla region. Children will love the tree stump stepping ‘stones’ at the start of the Durras Lake Discovery Trail, with possible kangaroo sightings adding to the fun. Find the trailhead for the 1.5km loop at the end of Lake Road.
Enter cheese heaven
Feasting on local cheese is a quintessential experience in this historic dairy region, which has been producing quality cheeses since the 1870s. Live out your farming fantasies at the 1950s-style Bodalla Dairy in Bodalla, where fresh milk is produced onsite every morning to make artisinal cheeses with native flavours, as well as traditional milkshakes, great coffees and ice-creams. Stay the night in one the property’s five farm-chic guest rooms.
Sample more delicious cheeses and perhaps join a cheesemaking course at the ABC Cheese Factory further south in the charming surrounds of National Heritage-listed Central Tilba, which offers a living snapshot of 19th-century regional Australia.
Montague Island, Narooma Credit: Destination NSW
Montague Island Discovery Tours
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Montague Island, Narooma Credit: Destination NSW
Montague Island Discovery Tours
VIP Private Tours, Bodella Dairy Shed, Narooma Credit: Destination NSW
VIP Private Tours design bespoke and exclusive experiences exploring the Eurobodalla region.
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VIP Private Tours, Bodella Dairy Shed, Narooma Credit: Destination NSW
VIP Private Tours design bespoke and exclusive experiences exploring the Eurobodalla region.
Be mesmerised by whales
Seeing a whale in the wild is magical, whether it’s your first time or your 50th. The huge marine mammals are at their most playful in the Eurobodalla region from September to November, making this the perfect time to marvel at their aerobatic feats. Bring your binoculars to spot whales from the shoreline at Toragy Point near Moruya (which has the region’s only airport) or on Broulee Island. Or join an action-packed whale watching tour with the likes of Narooma Charters. You might also be treated to a very special whale encounter on a half-day kayaking tour with Region X as you paddle out into open water in search of hidden beaches and azure rock pools.
Sign up for more aquatic adventures
The Eurobodalla Shire is known as the land of many waters, with rivers, lakes and, of course, the ocean to enjoy aquatic adventures such as surfing, diving, fishing, and more. Revel in the accomplishment of learning to surf with Surf the Bay, a mobile surf school based in Broulee; get a buzz catching your own seafood dinner on a fishing trip with Narooma Charters;, and feel anew after an invigorating beach dip at pretty Mystery Bay.
Explore Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Garden with all your senses
Stop and smell the native flowers in the Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Garden, just south of Batemans Bay, where five walking trails weave around a collection of themed gardens. Learn something new on the Aboriginal Heritage Walk, a 1km walking path suitable for visitors with limited mobility that reveals the fascinating traditional uses of about 30 Eurobodalla plants. Feel your worries melt away as you wander the gardens, calmed by the trickle of water features and the buzz of the bees. Bring a picnic or grab a wholesome bite at the Mossy on Gardens Café, which overlooks the gardens.
Follow Eurobodalla’s oyster trail
Shuck and slurp to your heart’s content in the Eurobodalla region, which forms part of Australia’s famous Oyster Coast. Look out for these plump delicacies on menus across the region, as well as oyster specialists like the Oyster Shed on Wray Street in Batemans Bay, where you can sample oysters beside the Clyde River where they are farmed. The Oyster Farmers Daughter is an alfresco oyster bar nestled alongside the idyllic Wagonga Inlet in Narooma where you can pair fresh oysters with refreshing cocktails made with local gin.
Narooma Charters Montague Island Tours Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial view of the Narooma Charters Montague Island Tour boat travelling from Narooma to Montague Island
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Narooma Charters Montague Island Tours Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial view of the Narooma Charters Montague Island Tour boat travelling from Narooma to Montague Island
Wray Street Oyster Shed, Batemans Bay Credit: Destination NSW
Farmer returning to Wray Street Oyster Shed, Batemans Bay with fresh oysters.
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Wray Street Oyster Shed, Batemans Bay Credit: Destination NSW
Farmer returning to Wray Street Oyster Shed, Batemans Bay with fresh oysters.
Immerse yourself in Aboriginal culture
Transform your understanding of the Eurobodalla region’s Aboriginal peoples and their fascinating stories with local Indigenous operator Ngaran Ngaran Culture Awareness. Its 40-hour Yuin Retreat, named for the region’s Traditional Custodians, begins on the first evening with a traditional welcome, followed by a sunrise ceremony and the option to hike Gulaga (formerly Mount Dromedary) or visit significant sites on the Djirringanj Dreaming Trail. Following a cultural program in the evening, the experience ends with an Aboriginal healing and connection workshop on the final morning, leaving you with a whole new outlook on Aboriginal culture and this storied corner of the country.
Embrace next-level camping and glamping
Deepen your connection to the region’s enriching natural landscapes on a local camping or glamping experience. Soak up the unrivalled seaside location along with the stellar wildlife-watching opportunities at Beachcomber Holiday Park at Potato Point, just south of Tuross Head, where you may be surprised to discover emus are among the menagerie of native animals known to frequent this campground backing onto Eurobodalla National Park.
If glamping is more your style, wake up to sweeping mountain views after a romantic night in a glamping tent at Mountain View Farm in Tilba Tilba. Also tucked in the lush rolling hills of the Tilba Valley is Tilba Lake House, which offers a luxe glamping option as well as four cosy self-contained tiny house stays with views of the lake, ocean and mountains.
Go market-hopping
Get to know the friendly Eurobodalla community at the region’s vibrant markets. Learn about their passion for developing a sustainable local food system as you fill your basket with local goodies spanning vegetables from Old Mill Road Biofarm to McAsh Oysters at the SAGE Farmers Market, held every Tuesday afternoon from 3pm at Riverside Park in Moruya. Find more produce and connect with the local artisans, craftspeople and designers, at the Moruya Country Market on Saturday mornings from 8am, held at the same spot.
Tilba Tilba Lake, Central Tilba Credit: Destination NSW
Scenic views across Central Tilba to Tilba Tilba Lake.
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Tilba Tilba Lake, Central Tilba Credit: Destination NSW
Scenic views across Central Tilba to Tilba Tilba Lake.
Ngaran Ngaran Culture Awareness, Narooma Credit: Destination NSW
Ngaran Ngaran Culture Awareness located at Narooma offers an immersive Indigenous experience on-country in Yuin Country.
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Ngaran Ngaran Culture Awareness, Narooma Credit: Destination NSW
Ngaran Ngaran Culture Awareness located at Narooma offers an immersive Indigenous experience on-country in Yuin Country.