Koalas are an elusive animal, spending their largely solitary lives hidden among the branches of eucalyptus trees. They sleep up to 22-hours a day, meaning they don’t always move a lot - but that doesn’t mean they’re impossible to spot in the wild. If you’re on an Australian adventure and hoping to spot some koalas, here are some useful tips.

1. Look for the Right Trees

Koalas are fussy little things and only eat the leaves of around 50 of the 700 eucalyptus trees that grow in Australia - so be sure to look for the right trees. Your best bets are River Red Gums, Manna Gums, Swamp Gums and Blue Gums as these are favourites in many regions. If you’re in Queensland, look out for Tallowwoods and Grey Gums.
 

2. Look at the V-Shaped Forks of Branches 

In a dense eucalyptus environment, it’s not always easy to see where koalas are hiding out. For this reason, try to direct your focus towards the V-shaped forks of branches. Start your search there before scanning higher. Tree-forks are common resting spots and when it’s hot, koalas come down from the canopy to rest and cool off. 

3. Search Early or Late in the Day

If you’re going on a koala spotting adventure, then you’ll likely have more luck around dawn or dusk. This is when koalas are slightly more active and can be seen climbing, feeding or simply shifting positions which can create a noise in the eucalyptus trees. When koalas are asleep, you’re less likely to hear them rustling about. 

4. Listen Carefully for Sounds

As well as leaves rustling, there are other sounds you might learn to recognise. Claws scratching can be a sign that a koala is climbing or on the move. Also, in breeding season, males make deep grunting bellows which are unmistakable once you know what they are.

5. Look for Fresh Droppings 

Looking for fresh droppings is something many animal experts do when they’re following the trail of a specific species. But it’s important to know what koala droppings look like: small, oval and olive-green to brown in colour. Fresh pellets beneath a tree are a strong sign that a koala is above you. 

6. Slow Down Your Walk 

To be a good koala spotter, you need to have plenty of patience. Move slowly, take moments to pause and observe the trees and V-shaped forks carefully. Rushing might mean walking right past them. 

7. Use Binoculars

Koalas are excellent climbers and often climb high up into eucalyptus canopies, so investing in a good pair of binoculars is a good idea. You’ll be looking up a lot, so make sure the binoculars are light in weight. The more you get to know the environment, the more you know what to look for. Binoculars are great if you’re going to safari parks too.

8. Be Respectful

Koalas don’t like stress and may not be used to humans in their environment. This might be different if you’re visiting a safari park where a high footfall is the norm. However, it’s always a good idea to stay quiet, keep your distance and behave in an ethical way.

Spot a koala on stage

If you’re fascinated by these beautiful marsupials, then don’t miss The Koala Who Could story, playing at a theatre near you. Based on the picture book by Rachel Bright and Jim Field, this charming tale is brought to life on the stage with songs, dancing and puppetry. Stories about koalas for kids don’t get much better, so book your tickets and join in the fun.