Where you can meet or cuddle a koala in Queensland

List

Couple looking at a koala walk along a tree branch

By Narelle Bouveng

They’re an Australian icon; a eucalyptus-munching national treasure and found nowhere else in the world. So it's little wonder many travellers want to meet a koala when they visit.

As one of only two Australian states where koala cuddling is permitted, there are plenty of places you can interact with, or safely and ethically cuddle a koala in Queensland. From the Gold Coast to Cairns, our wildlife sanctuaries offer unforgettable moments with our most famous marsupials.

Koalas sleep between a whopping 18 - 22 hours a day and need plenty of R&R, so rest-assured they're not pulling overtime on your wildlife keeper guided meet-and-greet. Time with guests is strictly managed, with koalas "working" up to 30 minutes just a few days per week. It might seem like the dream job, but your quick interaction will be one to remember forever.

Koala encounters on the Gold Coast

Three young girls meet a koala resting in a tree at a wildlife sanctuary — Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Gold Coast

1. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

Sanctuary by name and by nature, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary has been committed to protecting and conserving native wildlife for over 70 years.

There’s no shortage of koala experiences ‘round here, with more than 50 koalas in care at the sanctuary. If you want a more up-close moment, there are several you can book ahead of your visit: the 'Koala Encounter' is the most in-depth experience, where you'll spend time with a wildlife ranger learning all about the koalas, meet some of the koala families who call Currumbin home, then get a little cuddle time too on. Book the kids in for 'Koala Krafting' where they'll create their own sustainable craft souvenir, plus get to meet and have a photo with a koala. Or, simply book a professional photo to take home an extra memory from your day out (group photos are available too).

A little hungry but not keen on eucalypt leaves? Book "Breakfast with the Koalas" or a "Grazy Arvo" experience where you'll be able to spend some time in the koala habitat area with experienced wildlife experts, then have a gourmet feast.

Be sure to visit the Wildlife Hospital; it’s one of the busiest in the world, with over 600 wild koalas being admitted and cared for by the team each year.

Use this guide to plan your visit.

2. Dreamworld

The Gold Coast’s Dreamworld is famous for its thrills and family-friendly attractions, but did you know you can also meet native wildlife?

Pose for a pic with one of the local koalas residing at Corroboree and you’ll not only take home an adorable photo keepsake, but feel the love by giving back too. Important conservation work is being undertaken by Dreamworld’s Wildlife Foundation and a percentage of proceeds from photos goes directly to the Foundation.

3. Paradise Country

Fancy the idea of sharing breakfast with a koala? We’ve found just the place –Paradise Country on the Gold Coast offers weekend Koala Breakfast experiences at its Farmhouse Restaurant. Sit beside the koalas as they eat their greens while you eat your breakfast. Or, take a behind-the-scenes tour to meet and feed a koala instead!

Koala encounters in Brisbane

Wildlife ranger and two children stand with a koala — Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Brisbane

4. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Brisbane’s Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary takes its koala conservation seriously, and for good reason – it’s the largest koala sanctuary in the world, with more than 130 native Aussies calling this wildlife refuge home (alongside 70 other native species).

Wander the sanctuary to see the koalas go about their day or have the rare chance to engage with a koala while it relaxes in a tree. Feel the texture of its fur and watch as it munches on eucalyptus leaves.

Make a lasting impact while you're here and sponsor a koala. Donations go toward providing 24/7 care, maintaining eucalyptus tree plantations and ongoing conservation efforts.

Koala encounters on the Sunshine Coast

Koala in a eucalyptus tree — Australia Zoo, Sunshine Coast

5. Australia Zoo

Things get pretty wild at Australia Zoo, but in the best way possible. This is a front row seat to over 1000 species of wildlife at the most interactive wildlife park on the planet - and many don’t mind a meet and greet.

Look to the trees as you wander the koala walk-through, attend the daily Koala Live show to learn what's involved in caring for these creatures, or sign up for a keeper-led introduction to learn more and even cuddle a koala.

Use this guide to plan your visit.

6. Wildlife HQ Zoo

A little further north, Woombye's Wildlife HQ may be smaller in size, but it’s got just as much heart, caring for over 200 native and exotic animals.

Pay the loveable inhabitants of the Koala Station a visit: watch as adult koalas and their joeys go about their day among the eucalypts and snap a few photos for memories.

Koala encounters in the Southern Great Barrier Reef

7. Cooberrie Park Wildlife Sanctuary

Headed for the Capricorn Coast? Get acquainted with lizards, birds, snakes and, of course, koalas at Cooberrie Park Wildlife Sanctuary in Yeppoon.

Your entry fee includes animal encounters (including patting a koala) during the daily interactive show, and use of barbecue facilities and a swimming pool. Koala cuddles and photo sessions are available separately too.

8. Snakes Downunder Reptile Park and Zoo

Don’t be fooled into thinking Snakes Downunder Reptile Park & Zoo is only about the scaly and slippery. Located 40 minutes' drive from both Bundaberg and Hervey Bay, the park makes animal education entertaining for all ages. There’s no denying reptiles and amphibians are the heroes here, but you can also cosy up for a koala encounter with keeper-guided interaction or attend the daily Koala Talk and be inspired to help protect them.

Koala encounters in The Whitsundays

Young boy and wildlife ranger watch a koala in a tree at a wildlife sanctuary — Hamilton Island Wildlife, Hamilton Island, The Whitsundays

9. Hamilton Island Wildlife

When you need a break from all the swimming, snorkeling and watersports at Hamilton Island, jump on the buggy and head for Hamilton Island Wildlife. Stop in for a koala encounter, book a VIP koala experience, grab a coffee with the koalas at the cafe, or take part in a guided tour to discover more native Aussie wildlife.

Townsville koala encounters

Koala rests in eucalyptus tree — Roamer Magnetic Island Koala Park, Magnetic Island, Townsville

10. Billabong Sanctuary

Townsville's family-owned and operated Billabong Sanctuary is home to over 50 native animal species, including a koala colony that’s not at all camera-shy. Koalas here are part of the sanctuary’s successful koala breeding program, keeping the colony healthy for a better chance of species survival. Witness the magic of a morning feeding session where you can ask the rangers all your koala questions, or get a close up photo opportunity during an interactive session.

11. Roamer Magnetic Island Koala Park

Nestled into Magnetic Island, a short ferry ride from Townsville, Roamer (formerly Selina) isn't just a sanctuary for koalas: you can spend the night here, too. A stylish eco-lodge in the national park, just a 5-minute walk to Horseshoe Bay Beach, Roamer is home to a boutique koala park offering daily educational wildlife tours with rangers. Come and and say hi to the three koalas residents, Amaroo, Pebbles and Thor.

Cairns & Great Barrier Reef koala encounters

Group of friends meeting koala resting in a tree at a wildlife park — Wildlife Habitat, Port Douglas, Cairns & Great Barrier Reef

12. Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas

Wander through wetlands, woodland, rainforest, savannah and nocturnal habitats at Wildlife Habitat in Port Douglas. With five worlds to take in (including the chance to swim close to saltwater crocs), you can make a full day of it. Be sure to book in for your Feature Creature photo session with snakes, crocs and of course koalas waiting to meet you - keepers ensure its a safe interactive experience for all.

Want more time? Book a personalised private wildlife tour for the chance to enter the koala enclosure for one-on-one time, visit the Tropical Animal Rehabilitation Centre to witness the sanctuary's wildlife rescue efforts, and engage with animals that have been hand-raised by keepers.

13. Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures

If you want to see a crocodile up close in its natural habitat, you’ve come to the right place. Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures (located between Port Douglas and Palm Cove) is home crocs, but also other scaled, feathered and furry friends that call Queensland home too. Wander the public viewing exhibits to find koalas slowly going about their day, attend a koala talk, or book a breakfast with the koalas experience - one of the best ways to start your day.

14. Kuranda Koala Gardens

Naturally, koalas are the stars at Kuranda Koala Gardens. But did you know there’s evidence that koalas were rainforest dwellers before Australia’s dry landscape forced them to adapt to eating the more plentiful eucalyptus leaves?

Discover many more interesting facts as you observe the residents napping, snacking and moving from tree to tree. While you’re there, add some other Australia’s notable native animals to your visit list – freshwater crocodiles, kangaroos, wallabies, wombats and reptiles all call Kuranda Koala Gardens home too.