Five of the best places to see koalas in Queensland

Photo: A koala and baby in a tree at Magnetic Island in Queensland. Credit: @NOMADasaurus

Brisbane Koala Bushlands 

Brisbane Koala Bushlands is a network of areas set aside to protect the koala habitat. It is part of an area known as the Koala Coast - one of the most important koala habitat areas in Australia and includes bushland in Brisbane, Logan and Redland cities

Magnetic Island National Park

Located within the Great Barrier Reef, Magnetic Island is the home of one of Australia's largest wild koala populations in Australia. The island is mostly covered with open eucalypt woodland of bloodwoods, stringybarks and grey ironbarks. And the best part is the koalas aren’t too difficult to spot since most of the eucalyptus trees here are quite low.

Noosa National Park

Straddled by development, this park is a wildlife sanctuary, protecting beautiful stands of eucalypt forest, woodland, melaleuca wetland and pockets of dense vine-strewn rainforest. The Noosa Headland section of the Noosa National Park is thought to be the best place to see resident koalas.

North Stradbroke Island 

North Stradbroke Island, affectionately known as “Straddie”, or Minjerribah is one of the world’s largest sand islands. North Stradbroke offers numerous opportunities to spot koalas in the wild and is home to the only naturally occurring island populations of koalas. 

Toohey Forest Park and Mt Gravatt Outlook Reserve

Toohey Forest, located in Brisbane’s southern suburbs, is typical of the open eucalypt forest and is home to over 400 species of native wild animals and plants including koalas.

Koala in the wild. Credit: Getty Images

Why seeing koalas in the wild is best

It's important to remember that holding or cuddling a koala in the wild (a national park, a forest or reserve) is not permitted. You should never approach or touch a wild koala as they are capable of biting and scratching - despite how cute they look.

In fact, holding a captive koala even at a zoo or sanctuary is not permitted anywhere in Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory.

Together, we can move the Queensland government to implement a ban on captive koala cuddles in the Sunshine State too.

How to help protect koalas

• Choose to see koalas in the wild where they belong.
• Koala homes need your help. Join a local group and plant koala-friendly trees and use your voice to defend important koala habitats.
• If you see an injured koala, call the RSPCA or local animal rescue group immediately. If you are unsure who that is, contact a local vet

Holding or cuddling a captive koala even at a zoo or sanctuary is not permitted anywhere in Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory.

Together, we can move the Queensland government to implement a ban on captive koala cuddles in the sunshine state too.