Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary

Excellent facility for the care of injured koalas. Those who do not recover sufficiently to be released back into the wild are given sanctuary to live out their lives in comfort and safety. We saw Miss Sunset, one of the long term residents, return from a health check and quickly head to her lunch leaves! The facility itself is immaculately presented and cared for and well set up for koalas and visitors. The staff and volunteers were friendly and very informative. A very interesting visit for us.

As I was staying in the area, I thought I would go and visit this place. Very nicely set up. I could have been in and out in about 30 minutes, but I was so fascinated with watching the koala's and listening to the volunteer (I think it was Donna) I learned so much about these beautiful cuddly animals. Well worth the time. Best to go first thing in the morning as that is when they are most active. They tend to sleep a lot. Did also see a tawny frog mouth. Thought it was classed as an owl, but it is not. Very hard to see as they like to camouflage and not move. Great little cafe to sit and have a coffee and a snack. Seniors' discounts with your card also apply for entry. By the way if you are looking to cuddle these little guys, not that kind of sanctuary.

We visited and stayed at the koala sanctuary over Easter. I can rate it highly enough! The staff were wonderful, our room was very comfortable, and I was sent a message every morning asking if I needed to be serviced or if we needed any more breakfast items. My daughter loved to pool and the grounds and, of course, the koalas! We visited them every day and they were so amazing. They do such wonderful work looking after them and all the other animals in the hospital. We will be back!!

What a wonderful place to visit. Staff are so friendly. the sanctuary is planned for easy access for levels of abilities. The koala statues spaced throughout the grounds tell a wonderful story. Spotting the koalas in the trees is a rad harder, but a great sight once located. A wonderful place for children of all ages.

During our recent visit to the Koala Sanctuary for CNY, our expectations were not only met but greatly exceeded. This sanctuary offers a fantastic opportunity for children and adults alike to observe koalas in their natural habitat. It's an immersive experience that brings visitors closer to nature, encouraging a deeper appreciation and care for wildlife and the environment.

One of the highlights for us was the storytelling session about koalas, which was both informative and engaging, making us feel connected to these beautiful creatures. The sanctuary also houses a charming little gift shop stocked with delightful items. We couldn't resist bringing home three adorable koala soft toys—each one as lovely as the last.

Additionally, the sanctuary features a spa complete with a pool, adding a touch of luxury and relaxation to the visit. This makes it an ideal spot for families looking to combine education with leisure during their holidays.

Overall, I highly recommend the Koala Sanctuary for anyone looking to take their kids on a holiday that is both educational and enjoyable. It's a place that offers more than just a glimpse into the life of Australia's beloved koalas; it provides a full, enriching experience that will be remembered fondly.

Excellent place to stop for a night whilst travelling north from Sydney.
The bed and room were very comfortable and the location within the Sanctuary was peaceful.
We enjoyed an excellent tour of the rehabbing koalas the following morning and appreciate that part of the cost to stay here goes towards running the hospital facilities.

Excellent.

We stayed at the glamping tent over the Easter long weekend. The tent was clean with safe and easy access.
There was a pool and a spa on site. A few BBQ facilities and they can provide BBQ utensils. Close to everywhere we needed to go.

They have noice curfew after 10pm. It was greatly appreciated from my family as we do sleep rather early.

The breakfast basket was very decent and thoughtful. They even hand-wrote a little card. It was so lovely.

Staff were all so lovely and helpful too. It was a very pleasant stay.

Absolutely beautiful stay with our two young children. We went to see the koalas every day, and after the tour on the first morning, we were able to spot them well on our own. We loved seeing the birds and dragonflies throughout the park as we went for a walk and waking up to the cacophony of bird song every morning. Less so a snake and lace monitor, but it's all nature. My husband was worried about the noise and smells being so close to the koalas, but we had absolutely no issues. Everything is clean and still feels brand new (opened in 2020).

Staff are incredibly attentive throughout, especially Renee and the cleaners.

The breakfast hamper was generous (see picture), and we were offered a refill on items halfway through our stay. Such a great place for families, the pool is well shaded, and two new umbrellas were added during our stay. Could do well to add a playground, even a natural one, to complement the surrounds

A true sanctuary for post injured and rescued koalas. A purpose built vet hospital to treat rescued and injured native animals too. Each enclosure for koalas that can't be released back to their own habitat has magnificent eucalypt and banksia trees for them to have diversity. Fresh food (even misted with water) is supplied in bountiful amounts, plus there are signs asking people to be quiet so not to distress them.
A thoroughly delightful walk around learning about koalas habitat, threats, rescues and more.
Guided tours for $3 or $5 optional. Small & tasteful gift shop (and Cafe.)
Clean toilets.
Very well priced ( so much so I gave a donation extra), especially given the vet treatment the koalas receive there.
Well worth a visit. Allow an hour. (We took a leisurely 90 minutes) Though if you don't like watching koalas sleeping with an occasional munching, scratching or repositioning for more sleep, you could do it in 30-40 minutes.
We didn't have a pram or wheelchair but didn't see any steps and it was a wide flat path, so all looked very user friendly (having been on crutches recently I notice now walkways and steps more!).

Stayed for 4 days and absolutely loved it. Staff were so friendly and helpful. Kids loved seeing the koalas. It's a beautiful place to stay .special thanks to Ali for all her help to make our family holiday one to remember.

What a fantastic place.
The whole area is fantastic.
Family friendly . The volunteer we had (Ken) helping us find a specific koala was great. Very friendly and knowledgeable.
I would definitely come back and recommend it to anyone.

We went to visit the koalas and we're lucky enough to enjoy a tour about with an extremely knowledgeable guide. Well worth a visit to learn surprising facts about our small furry friends. 👍👍👍

I took bus 130 from Newcastle Airport. It was a wet rainy day but I was glad that koalas are water proof animals so I managed to see them 💕💕💕. It's a beautiful place indeed!

What a fantastic experience! We booked for 7 nights and had the most amazing stay! The cabin was very clean, the staff were all so friendly and the text messages every morning checking in on us for breakfast top ups and housekeeping were first class! Would highly recommend!! We will definitely be back!

Visited the Koala Sanctuary at Port Stephens and it was a heartwarming experience. The small entry fee grants access to witness the recovery of rescued koalas, contributing to their care and the koala hospital. It was incredible to see them moving around and enjoying their meals. A worthwhile visit for anyone who cares about these adorable creatures and wants to support their well-being.

Very well organised, easy walk for elderly as well. Nice cafe and gift shop. Staff are very lovely 😀

This is a beautiful facility dedicated to the rehabilitation of injured koalas, some of whom become permanent residents. Lovely gardens with very attractive glamping accommodation dotted in amongst the plants and sculptures. The treetop walk is a highlight and provides an excellent view of the koalas doing their thing. The cafe serves really nice food at a reasonable price and the gift shop is well stocked with interesting items and products. The staff are really lovely and go out of their way to ensure you have the best experience possible. A huge thumbs up 👍

Great spot for a short visit. Koalas easy to see in the trees, lots of information about with extra available via qr codes. Cafe not bad, lovely staff, slices nice, coffee so so. Gift shop interesting.

A stunning and serene environment, with adorable koalas, dedicated volunteers, friendly and helpful staff, magnificent grounds and landscaping and spotless accommodation. Everything is exceptional!

Why pay for a hotel when you can relax in this beautiful environment, visit the koalas, make new friends,enjoy a coffee and bite to eat and cool off in the pool and spa?

Thank you for a wonderful stay and congratulations on winning the Gold Tourist Attraction Award for 2023 - it's very well deserved!

Staff are very friendly and helpful here. My daughter enjoyed the scavenger hunt. The walk is quite short, you spend around half an hour here.