Daisy Hill Koala Centre
The Daisy Hill Koala Centre is located 25 km from the city centre on Brisbane's south-eastern outskirts. It is open every day (except Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Good Friday), from 10 am to 4 pm. Admission is free, and walkways are suitable for wheelchairs.
The centre is located in the Daisy Hill Conservation Park—435 hectares of open eucalypt forest which has long been a popular bushland retreat, and home to many other native animals besides koalas.
The centre is part of an area known as the Koala Coast—the area bounded by the Logan River, Pacific Highway, Gateway Motorway, Manly Road, Whites Road and Lota Creek. A survey conducted in 2008 indicated that it was home to 2279 koalas.
This bushland area is important koala habitat, so it is very fitting that a centre dedicated to their conservation should be located there.
- Koala Bushland Coordinated Conservation Area map (PDF, 190K)*
Koalas are a threatened species in the South East Queensland bioregion, which stretches from the New South Wales border to Gladstone, and west to Toowoomba. Because of a significant decline in their numbers in the wild, they were included in the vulnerable species category of the Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation in March 2004.
Though they are common in the rest of the state, this status could change unless care is taken to protect their remaining habitat and reduce some of the threats posed by humans. Many koalas are killed or injured by cars or dogs, some drown in backyard pools and others are killed by disease or natural predators.
- Trees for koalas—Coastal South East Queensland (PDF, 107K)*
Programs and activities
At the centre you can see koalas up close, though you won't be able to touch them as they are wild animals and handling is not permitted. From the displays which describe their life cycle and how they've adapted to the changing Australian environment, you can learn about these fascinating animals and find out how to look after them in your local area.
You can:
- watch a video in the Midnight Woodland Theatre and explore the bush at night-time
- go on a journey through time, from the age of the dinosaurs to the present-day and find out how to protect koalas.
- climb the treetop tower and look for koalas in the trees outside the centre.
Special programs are provided for visitors during holiday periods and the centre has a curriculum-based environmental education program for schools.
The Connect with Nature events and activities calendar (previously known as Go Bush) offers a variety of ranger-led activities for school holiday visitors.
How to get there
If travelling south from Brisbane along the Pacific Highway;
- take the Shailer Park exit
- turn left into Shailer Road
- turn right into Daisy Hill Road, and continue to the Daisy Hill Conservation Park.
If travelling from Beenleigh:
- turn off the Pacific Highway at the Daisy Hill – Loganlea exit
- turn right onto the overpass
- turn right again into Winnetts Road
- turn left into Daisy Hill Road and continue to the Daisy Hill Conservation Park.
Further information
Daisy Hill Koala Centre
Daisy Hill Road
PO Box 5116
Daisy Hill Qld 4127
(07) 3299 1032 fax (07) 3299 1217
International +61 7 3299 1032 fax +61 7 3299 1217
* Requires Acrobat Reader
Last updated: 18 January 2010