Australia is lucky to have the cute and cuddly koala as our country's mascot. Every international visitor wants to see one and get up close to these unique (but sleepy) Aussies.
But where can you see koalas while you are in Brisbane?
Unfortunately, koalas, as well as kangaroos and other marsupials, don't live in every backyard and it's unlikely you'll see them strolling through the streets of Brisbane. However, according to the Australian Koala Foundation, Brisbane is home to an estimated 2050 koalas.
The Redlands district, in Brisbane's south-east, has one of the highest concentrations of wild koalas in South East Queensland.
Another good spot for koala spotting is within Noosa National Park, less than two hours north of Brisbane. Koalas have even been seen wandering through the car park and barbeque area. Keep your eye out for scratches on tree trunks and droppings at the base of trees to spot one.
Spend some time at the home of Australia's largest captive koala colony, Brisbane's Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Take a leisurely river cruise on the MV Mirimar to the Sanctuary to see some of the 130 koalas. You can pay a little extra to hold a koala and have your photograph taken. There are plenty of other special Australian animals to see there too, such as wombats, wallabies, Tasmanian devils and more.
Other places to see koalas are:
- Alma Park Zoo on Brisbane's northside
- the Australian Wildlife Experience at Dreamworld
- Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast
- Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
- David Fleay Wildlife Park at West Burleigh on the Gold Coast. This wildlife park allows you to touch the koalas and take your own photos and has regular education talks.
Did you know that koalas aren't bears? They are marsupials, so calling them koala bears really is not correct.
The places listed above are also home to kangaroos, wallabies, Australian reptiles and many more of our country's unique wildlife. If you want to see some Brisbane wildlife living in our suburbs, then keep an eye open for possums, frogs, fruit bats and birds such as rainbow lorikeets and kookaburras.
Happy spotting!
Also an other place to see koalas and also have a really nice picnic is the Daisy Hill Koala Centre.