Spotting Koalas on the Great Ocean Road is undeniably a highlight of this epic road trip in Victoria, Australia. Sightings are by no means guaranteed, but if you look in the right spots you have a great chance to see wild Koala bears. A trip along the Great Ocean Road is an unforgettable adventure with plenty of highlights, including the famous Twelve Apostles. For wildlife lovers though, this trip is simply unmissable as the Great Ocean Road is one of the best places to see wild koalas in Australia. This guide covers where to see koalas on the Great Ocean Road, including an incredible spot where you can camp under these amazing creatures!
Make sure to read our guide to seeing kangaroos on the beach for an unforgettable Australian wildlife experience!
Where to see Koalas on the Great Ocean Road
Kennett River
The small town of Kennett River is well known for being one of the best places to see wild koalas on the Great Ocean Road. Koalas are regularly seen along Grey River Road, often referred to as the Kennett River Koala Walk.
This stretch of road leads into the Great Otway National Park, and the towering rainforest is home to a healthy population of koalas. Your chances of seeing a koala here are quite high, and so it’s actually considered one of the best places in Australia to see wild koalas!
To see koalas here, head along Grey River Road either by car or on foot. Despite also being known as the Kennett River Koala Walk, this is a dirt road – so stick to the side and pay attention to any passing vehicles.
Many visitors stick to the start of the trail near to Kafe Koala, so if you head further along the track into the rainforest you will find it becomes much less busy. We suggest driving a little way along the road and then pulling over at a suitable point and parking by the roadside.
Once you get out of your car or campervan, look up to the treetops in such of these cute creatures. Koala sightings tend to be most common along the first few kilometres of the road. Avoid heading as far as the picnic area, as sightings are rare there.
When koalas aren’t moving about, they are often found lodged between forks in eucalyptus trees. They are nocturnal so tend to be more active during the mornings and evenings, so in the middle of the day may be quite sleepy – but they’re still amazing to see whether they’re sleeping or awake!
Bimbi Park: Camping under Koalas
For unforgettable sightings of Koalas on the Great Ocean Road, a stay at Bimbi Park in Cape Otway is a must. Located near the Great Otway National Park, Bimbi Park offers the unique opportunity to spend a night camping under wild koalas.
Offering powered and unpowered campsites, as well as a number of cabins, it’s the ideal place to stay along the Great Ocean Road. Koalas live in the park’s tall Manna gum trees, and sightings are common as you walk around the park.
For wildlife lovers, there is simply no better place to stay. We spent an amazing night camping here on our Great Ocean Road trip, and saw lots of koalas both on the evening we arrived and the following morning before we left.
Being able to stay in the fabulous Bimbi Park and see wild koalas in their natural habitat right by your campervan, tent, or cabin, is an incredible experience. Better yet, other native wildlife such as kangaroos, wallabies, and even echidnas, can be seen here if you’re lucky! We did manage to spot a kangaroo at Bimbi Park – so it’s certainly a haven for wildlife!
Most people opt to do the Great Ocean Road over a number of days, so you will need a campsite or accommodation for at least one night. If you want to see wild koalas on your Great Ocean Road trip then it’s an easy decision to stay at the amazing Bimbi Park!
It’s only possible to visit the park if you stay the night, so make sure to factor this into your plans. Stays at Bimbi Park are great value, starting from as little as $35 AUD per night for a campsite and $99 AUD for a cabin – which is worth it to spend the night camping under the koalas! Campsites can be booked via the Bimbi Park website, but if you’re planning to stay in a cabin this can be booked via Booking.com.
Click here to book a stay at the amazing Bimbi Park on the Booking.com website!
We recommend booking in advance, particularly if you want a cabin or powered campsite. On our visit we were only able to get an unpowered site as we left it too late to book – so book now to ensure you can enjoy a stay with the wild koalas here!
Make sure to arrive before dark for your stay at Bimbi Park so that you can walk around and the koalas after you arrive. Allow time the following morning to take a walk and see more koalas before you leave, or even stay for longe than one night if you want to make this special experience last even longer!
Bimbi Park is conveniently within walking distance of the Cape Otway lighthouse, so take the opportunity to walk there during your stay – and you may even see a koala or two along the way.
Tips for Koala spotting on the Great Ocean Road
Keep your distance – Koalas are normally found in trees, but are sometimes seen on the ground. If one happens to be on the ground then keep a good distance away as they may attack if they feel threatened, and they can scratch and bite you.
Koalas are nocturnal – As they are nocturnal animals, the best time of day to see koalas is early in the morning or late evening. If you see koalas while they are sleeping make sure not to intentionally disturb them.
Keep your eyes on the road – Koalas can sometimes cross roads, so be extremely careful when driving along the Great Ocean Road. The last thing you want to do is end up hitting a koala, so make sure to take care when driving.
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