“Every Aussie has seen a koala in the wild, right?” Well, because of their declining natural habitat and current health crisis, it’s actually become a lot harder to spot the Aussie classic in the bush. It’s sad to see so many of this country’s native animals become threatened and endangered by events that could have been prevented. That’s why places like Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary are so important to regrow Australia’s native population. Lets go take a look!
Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary works with the area’s local Council and the Port Stephens Koala Hospital to give sick, injured and orphaned koalas the care they need. The sanctuary is designed to keep the animals comfortable throughout their treatment by imitating their natural habitat. By allowing visitors to observe the rehabilitation work at Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary, they are also raising the much-needed funds for the preservation and conservation of koalas in the wild.
Port Stephens is a bit of a drive for us, but it’s for the koalas! Plus, it was a fun day to spend with my partner and my friends. One of my friends is currently studying vet nursing and native animals at university, something I’m very much interested in as my future career path. So today was a great way to connect with each other as well as get a first-hand look at the work we could be doing in a few years. We all met at the entrance to the sanctuary, where we bought our tickets and were shown a map of the area. We were also introduced to the current koalas that are housed at the sanctuary, with their names and photos right at the front desk. So let’s go meet them!
The sanctuary was very cleverly designed, keeping up with the Australian bush atmosphere while also decorating the area with these giant koala statues. It was a very cute idea, but some of these statues did look a tad bit creepy. As you followed the path, you also came across a different plaque with a new koala fact to learn. Did you know that koalas have an amazing sense of smell to know which eucalyptus leaves are the best to eat? And female koalas are only pregnant for 34 to 36 days! The path leading to the koalas also had a lot of fun activities for the children, and inner children, like koala hopscotch!
Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary also allows you to look into the work that is going on behind the scenes of the koala hospital. There’s a viewing window to the hospital to see if there are any procedures or medical care in progress at the time. Unfortunately, (well, I guess it’s fortunate actually) there was nothing to see when we were there. But you could still see what it would be like to work in the veterinary field. Looking into the koala hospital, I got excited imagining myself in there, helping Australia’s native wildlife, endangered animals, and any other animals that need help. I love advocating for creatures that can’t speak for themselves, and I can’t wait to do even more!
Well, it was finally time to meet the Port Stephen koalas! To do this, we walked through a gate to the sanctuary boardwalk so that we could be on their level, literally speaking. Koalas like to be higher up in the trees, so this boardwalk lifts us up to see the koalas better, while limiting the impact on the surrounding bushland. Even in the short time of being there, you could already see the different personalities in each animal. Some of them were very shy, hiding in the eucalyptus leaves or high up in the tree branches. Some of them it was like playing Where’s Blinky Bill? Others weren’t as shy, enjoying a nap in plain sight. One of them actually started to climb down while a huge group of people started to crowd around and take photos. It was funny actually, my friends and I were taking photos of this cheeky koala, full attention on the animal, and then all of a sudden we were surrounded!
As well as the rehabilitation habitats at Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary, there was also a breeding zone at the end of the boardwalk. This seems like a great idea for koala conservation, apart from the fact that both of the koalas in this habitat at the time were female. Maybe there just weren’t enough habitats for both of them, who knows? They were still adorable and seemed very friendly with each other!
Apart from the obvious koalas at the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary, there were quite a few other wild animals who seemed pretty friendly with the area. There were so many birds! As we were walking up the boardwalk, a couple of rainbow lorikeets poked their heads out of a hole in a gum tree! And in one of the trees in the koala breeding zone was a pair of tawny frogmouths sleeping together. So cute! The sanctuary also keeps a beehouse to help with our declining bee population. Just another great thing Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary does to help Australia’s beautiful environment!
It was a bit smaller than I was expecting, but Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary was an amazing visit! These places are really important for Australia’s native wildlife, to raise awareness about common health issues and threats, as well as raising money to rehabilitate and preserve the animal population. You don’t always need a big, flashy zoo to keep the people flowing in. Sometimes, the small-town Aussie outback charm is even better at bringing in visitors!
All photos in this post were taken by me.
For more information, visit https://www.portstephenskoalasanctuary.com.au/
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