Project: Koala
Koalas are one of Australia’s most iconic native animals, but populations across New South Wales face increasing pressure from habitat loss, climate change, disease and other threats.
Through Project: Koala, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo has supported important conservation research helping scientists better understand koalas living in the Blue Mountains and what they need to survive into the future.
Understanding Koalas in the Blue Mountains
WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo supports koala research led by Western Sydney University in collaboration with Science for Wildlife, studying koalas living within the Blue Mountains region.
By tracking koalas in the wild, researchers have been able to learn more about how far they travel, how they interact with other koalas and which trees and leaves they rely on for food.
This research helps build a clearer picture of how koalas use their environment and the habitat they need to survive. This is important knowledge for supporting their long-term conservation.
Meet the Koala
Scientific name: Phascolarctos cinereus
Conservation status: Endangered in QLD, NSW, and ACT
Found in: Eastern and south-eastern Australia
Habitat: Eucalypt forests and bushland
Diet: Primarily eucalyptus leaves
Koalas are tree-dwelling marsupials specially adapted to life among Australia’s eucalypt forests and bushland. They spend much of their time resting and feeding in trees and travelling across the ground when they need to move between areas of suitable habitat.
While koalas can be found across several Australian states, populations in Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory are listed as endangered under national environmental law.
Why are koalas endangered?
Koalas face a combination of pressures that can affect both individual animals and the habitats they depend on.
Habitat loss and fragmentation
Koalas rely on suitable trees for food, shelter and movement. When habitat is cleared or broken into smaller areas, koalas may need to travel further to find food and suitable places to live.
Climate change and bushfires
Increasing temperatures, drought and severe bushfires can affect koala habitats, reducing access to suitable trees and placing additional pressure on already vulnerable populations.
Roads and urban development
As habitat becomes fragmented, koalas may need to move across roads or developed areas, increasing their risk of vehicle strikes and encounters with dogs.
Disease
Diseases including chlamydia and koala retrovirus can affect koala health and reproduction and add further pressure to some populations.
Koalas are famously fussy eaters
Understanding exactly what koalas like to eat can tell researchers a lot about the habitat they need.
Researchers involved in the Blue Mountains project studied koala droppings and leaves in the laboratory to identify what individual koalas had been eating.
Combined with tracking data, this research helps build a more detailed picture of the trees and habitats koalas depend on for food, shelter and survival.
How Project: Koala is helping
Research
Building knowledge to help protect koalas.
Scientific research helps us better understand koala behaviour, diet, movement and habitat use, providing valuable information that can support conservation planning.
Track
Following koalas through their habitat.
Radio tracking allows researchers to understand where koalas travel, how far they move and how they use the landscape around them.
Understand
Learning what koalas need to thrive.
Studying movement, interactions and diet helps researchers identify the habitat features and food sources that are important to koala populations.
Protect
Turning knowledge into stronger conservation.
The more we understand about koalas and the landscapes they rely on, the better equipped conservation teams can be to help protect important habitat and support populations into the future.
Why koala research matters
Protecting koalas starts with understanding what they need.
Koalas don't simply need individual eucalyptus trees. They need connected areas of suitable habitat that provide food, shelter and opportunities to move safely through the landscape.
Research into koala movement, diet and habitat use helps scientists better understand these needs and can contribute to conservation decisions for koalas and their habitat.
What can you do to help koalas?
Small actions can help protect koalas and the places they call home.
- Drive carefully in areas where koalas may be present, particularly around dawn, dusk and at night.
- Supervise dogs around bushland and known koala habitats.
- Protect native trees and habitats and support local habitat restoration where possible.
- Plant native trees appropriate to your area to help create habitat and connections for native animals.
- Report sick or injured koalas to your local wildlife rescue organisation.
- Support conservation projects working to protect threatened Australian species.
Meet koalas at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
Come face-to-face with one of Australia's most iconic animals at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo.
Visit our koalas during your journey through the Zoo, learn more about their unique adaptations and discover why protecting koalas and their habitat matters.
For an even closer look, join one of our koala experiences and have your questions answered by our dedicated keepers.
Breakfast With the Koalas
Dine with the koalas, plus enjoy an expert guided tour and attraction entry!
Koala Photo
The Koala Photo Experience, on the beautiful open-air rooftop area of WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, invites you to meet and even get up close to our very cute koalas.
Learn more at our Koala Keeper Talk
Want to learn more about koalas?
Join a Koala Keeper Talk and hear from our dedicated keepers as they share fascinating facts about koala behaviour, diet, adaptations and the challenges they face in the wild.
It’s a great opportunity to learn more about these iconic Australian animals and discover how conservation and research are helping support koala populations for the future.
View Keeper Talk Times
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Project: Cassowary
Supporting habitat restoration in the Daintree Rainforest to help protect the endangered Southern Cassowary and the ecosystem it calls home.
Discover Project: Koala
Supporting research to better understand koala movement, diet and habitat use in the Blue Mountains.
General Admission
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Peak pricing applies to school holidays and weekends.
Ticket Type Weekdays Weekends, School Holidays & Public Holidays On the day Advanced Adult $49.00 $39.00 $49.00 Child $36.00 $26.00 $36.00 Concession $39.00 $29.00 $39.00 Child (0-1 yrs) FREE Please note: Our ticket pricing is subject to available capacity and prices may fluctuate during periods of high demand.
Peak pricing includes school holidays in other Australian states.
- Price includes Digi Photo Pass with 8 digital photos included (excludes Koala Photo experience)!
- Children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult (18+)
- Get your ticket on your phone
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Ticket Type Weekdays Weekends, School Holidays & Public Holidays On the day Advanced Adult $49.00 $39.00 $49.00 Child $36.00 $26.00 $36.00 Concession $39.00 $29.00 $39.00 Child (0-1 yrs) FREE *All concession holders must have a valid concession/student/health care card to gain access to the attraction with a Student/Senior ticket.
Please note: Our ticket pricing is subject to available capacity and prices may fluctuate during periods of high demand.
2 Attraction Pass
- Visit SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium within 60 days after visiting WILD LIFE
- Price includes Digi Photo Pass with 8 digital photos included!
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Savings percentages are based on the maximum cost of purchasing individual entry tickets for each attraction when compared to purchasing a combo pass for the same date type (e.g. peak/off-peak, advance/on-the-day purchase).
Merlin Annual Pass
- 12 months of family fun at 8 top attractions in Australia and New Zealand
- Receive a great range of exclusive benefits and deals
- No blackout periods
- Pre-Booking is essential across all attractions
General Admission + Koala Photo
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Peak pricing applies to school holidays and weekends.
Ticket Type Weekdays Weekends, School Holidays & Public Holidays On the day Advanced Adult $49.00 $39.00 $49.00 Child $36.00 $26.00 $36.00 Concession $39.00 $29.00 $39.00 Child (0-1 yrs) FREE Please note: Our ticket pricing is subject to available capacity and prices may fluctuate during periods of high demand.
Peak pricing includes school holidays in other Australian states.
- A memorable photo opportunity
- Private session with a koala keeper inside the enclosure
- Get your ticket on your phone
Frequently Asked Questions
Koala populations in Queensland, New South Wales and the ACT are listed as endangered under national environmental law. Major pressures include habitat loss and fragmentation, climate change, bushfires, disease and deaths caused by vehicles and dogs.
Koalas are found across eastern and south-eastern Australia, living primarily in eucalypt forests and bushland where they can find suitable food and shelter.
Tracking helps researchers understand where koalas travel, how they use different areas of habitat and what resources they rely on. This information can help build a stronger understanding of what koala populations need to survive.
WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo supports koala conservation research through fundraising, education and advocacy, helping researchers learn more about koalas living in the Blue Mountains region.
Koalas have a highly specialised diet made up mainly of leaves from selected eucalyptus species, along with some other plant material.
Yes. Guests can see koalas at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo and can also book a Koala Photo Experience for a closer encounter while learning more from the Zoo's dedicated keepers.
