Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary

We went to the sanctuary only. The attraction is owned by the council and the hospital within is a not for profit. The scavenger hunt for the kids is great, the talk by the hospital volunteer was very informative. We saw some joey's (baby koals) and also 10 koalas that were in captivity. It doesn't take long to see everything so only expect to be there an hour. On the way out we bought souvenirs from the hospital stall and not the council shop. Highly recommend they do great work.

I agonised over how to grade this because so much about Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary is truly excellent. We stayed in one of the larger cabins, and the sanctuary itself is immaculate and beautifully laid out. The work they do to preserve this iconic animal is so worthwhile — contributing feels genuinely virtuous. All the staff were friendly and helpful, and the guiding was superbly well-informed. We had previously seen wild koalas at Raymond Island near Paynesville (well recommended), but that came with a lot of internet research. Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary made learning about the animals accessible, structured, and engaging. It’s a completely complementary experience — both worthwhile in different ways. Our cabin was beautifully appointed with the best mattress we’ve had in two months in Australia, plus a lovely bathroom. The pool and BBQ areas are well maintained, and the whole property has a peaceful, thoughtful feel. A small message to management: it could be even better with a few practical improvements. There was a bit of a shrug about the lack of Wi-Fi, but with solid mobile reception and modern options like Starlink, this is easily solvable for only a few thousand dollars. Large smart TVs without content are difficult to use, especially for families with children. If Wi-Fi isn’t planned, then having offline content (nature documentaries, kids’ animations, sanctuary information) would make a big difference. Overall, a wonderful stay and an important conservation effort. I absolutely recommend it — and with a little attention to connectivity, it would be outstanding.

Had a great weekend here with the family. Staff were very accommodating for a late night arrival on the Friday night. We found our tent to be very new, clean and looked great. A/C running and music playing softly on the TV. The next morning we enjoyed a tour of the sanctuary before it opened to public. Found the grounds very neat and tidy. It was nice to be able to go and watch the Koalas whenever the kids and us wanted to. Lots of family friendly activities to do at the main centre and the kids loved a swim in the pool. Plenty of other places to visit surrounding the sanctuary also. Look forward to visiting again one day.

This is a difficult review because the koala sanctuary is doing a fantastic job saving and looking after injured and sick koalas. I think a heads up is needed to explain that its very small and when we were there it only had 9 koalas which can be difficult to spot in the trees. We were very lucky that we went at an active time as they certainly like to sleep. Its quite expensive to get in for the experience but we were so lucky that some of the koalas got active and came down so it was worth it for us. The grounds are perfectly kept and the staff are lovely. Just take your time and read the information peppered around the park.

You have an amazing facility! It’s very well maintained and a beautiful experience. It was such a lovely setting with the tents, places to give you lots of privacy, and a real in-the-bush experience. Kookaburras gave us a nice early wake-up call, which again added to the experience. The pool was well maintained with a spa pool that was lovely and warm. Providing pool toys and noodles was a nice touch. The neighbouring campsite was a bit noisy, but it was New Year’s. The tents were great with everything a family needs. They were clean and very well maintained. The hamper and breakfast were great, although we struggled with where to put all our boxes for our stay. A broom/brush would have been handy to brush the sand off the floor, but it was just a small detail. The koala experience was amazing. Your facilities are modern and provide so much care to the koalas. The set-up where we could go as many times made us feel like a VIP. The tour we received was excellent and again made us feel like we were getting an extra experience. Finally, the staff were so friendly. The check-in and out, the maintenance staff, and the volunteers around the centre were all so friendly. They really made us feel so welcome. We will be back!

This accommodation is a luxury safari tent equipped with compact kitchen and lovely bathroom. The best bit it’s in a Koala Sanctuary and you get to see them before any paying guests arrive. There’s a lovely outdoor pool, cafe and accessible to a beach. Would definitely recommend as the money goes towards caring for the koalas

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 A wonderful visit for families and animal lovers! We had an absolutely fantastic time at the koala sanctuary. From the moment we arrived, it was clear how much care and love goes into running this place. The facilities are spotless and well maintained, and the staff are some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet — knowledgeable, warm, and clearly passionate about protecting these adorable animals. The koala hospital was a real highlight — you can actually see the incredible work being done to care for injured or sick koalas, and it’s obvious that every dollar of your entry fee goes straight back into their wellbeing. The scavenger hunt for kids was such a great touch, keeping them engaged as they explored and answered fun questions along the way. There’s also a lovely café with great food and coffee, and an outdoor games area where kids can burn off extra energy while parents relax. While the price is a little on the higher side, it’s absolutely worth it knowing the funds support such an important cause. We spent about an hour there with younger kids, which felt just right. Highly recommend for families, animal enthusiasts, and anyone wanting to support a genuine sanctuary doing amazing work for Australia’s wildlife. 🐨💚

Two Aussie seniors wanting something to do for the afternoon. So glad we chose this small, well kept, very accessible park. Not too big, not too small and Michael, a volunteer Ambassador, was a mine of information not only about the resident koalas, but also local flaura and fauna, weather, seasons and moon cycles and how they affect the animals. Not an organised thing, just a knowledgable, passionate wild life warrior. The native trees and shrubs on site also very enjoyable. Plus good koala action. Thank you.