Family Pass - MarketPlace
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Save money with our Family Pass for 2 Adults and 2 Children (3 to 17 years).
The Koala Sanctuary offers families a unique opportunity to see koalas in their natural habitat that will support their long-term rehabilitation and preservation in the Port Stephens region. This a new opportunity to directly contribute to the preservation of koalas in Port Stephens.
The Sanctuary SKYwalk and viewing platform is a 225 metre in length elevated pathway and viewing platform, offering a unique ‘tree top’ perspective into the koala’s natural habitat, a perfect photo opportunity and educational experience – closes at 4pm
The kids will enjoy ‘Kasey’s Tale’ the story of koala as they explore the 250 metre in length Sanctuary Story Walk filled with large scale sculptures, habitat and local environment information.
Visit the state-of-the-art Koala Hospital with Intensive Care Unit treatment rooms and holding pens. Take a look through the hospital viewing window as veterinary staff carry out *examinations and administer treatment to koala inpatients’. *Treatment times vary.
After you have experienced all the attractions of the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary, finish off with a visit to Fat Possum Café that offers a range of ‘grab and go’ eats and treats, great baristas coffees and snacks for the kids all served in a tranquil bushland setting. Or take home a memento of your visit as you browse through the retail kiosk that offers a variety of quality gifts and souvenirs of the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary.
Family Pass Ticket Information:
Family Passes are for 2 Adults and 2 Children (3 to 17 years)
Family Pass Tickets provide all day general admission from 9am till 5pm
Note: Children under 17 years of age must be accompanied and supervised by an Adult.
Infants are 2 years and under and are FREE
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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.
We absolutely loved our stay at the Koala Sanctuary. The accommodation was spotless, beautifully maintained, and the bed was incredibly comfortable. Breakfast was a delightful continental served in a little welcome box.
The sanctuary itself is inspiring—everyone works tirelessly to care for and rehabilitate the koalas, and the atmosphere is calm and beautiful. As overnight guests, we had the privilege of a private tour (with other guests who were also staying) before opening hours, which was unforgettable. Seeing the koalas at their most active and learning from such an informative guide made the experience truly special.
We cherished every minute and only wish we could have stayed longer. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a unique, meaningful, and peaceful getaway.
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!
The grounds are surrounded by bushland, so lots of birds to watch, and the kookaburra's sing to you every morning! It was quite hot weather (we were there 20-22 Dec, and one day it was 41 degrees C) so we really appreciated the air con in our tent, as well as the fridge to keep drinks cold.
We spent our evenings on the back deck of our tent, watching birds and enjoying the night sounds.
All the staff were lovely and super-friendly and knowledgable. 10/10 loved it, would love to go back soon!!
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.
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.
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
The tent was beautifully set up , making the experience feel both close to nature and wonderfully relaxing.
Highly recommended for anyone who wants a clean, comfortable, and unique glamping experience. We will definitely be back!
Volunteers are so passionate as was our guide
Wonderful work - really appreciate what you all do
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.
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. 🐨💚
Come if you have spare time and would like to relax.
This was a beautiful place to visit. We were greeted warmly by our guide who was so welcoming and friendly. She then proceeded to take us on our own personal tour through the sanctuary explaining how it supported and provided not just koalas 🐨, even though that’s the sanctuary’s primary focus, but other animals in need of care also. She took us the glam cabins where you can stay. They looked fantastic from our standpoint. There were quite a few of them. There’s also glam tents ⛺️ available to stay at. We went past the sanctuary hospital where the animals are treated. There is a large window where you can look inside to see the animals being treated. From there we went onto the Sanctuary story walk which guides you through the trees where the koalas being treated are kept. The guide was constantly giving us so much information about each koala, their names and how they were injured and so on. It seemed nothing was off limits. Even the nutrient value of koala droppings being collected and fed to the other koalas. Apparently it’s very good for them. Who knew? 😂🤷♀️ At the top of the story walk, we were met by one of the volunteer ambassadors to help us spot the koalas 🐨 in the trees. She was wonderful in answering questions also. The tour was approximately 1 hour in length and I couldn’t recommend enough. Totally worth it as you learn so much more than if you were just going through by yourself. Back at the beginning is the gift shop which had a very good selection of souvenirs. Most of the money, if not all, goes back into the care of the koalas 🐨. It’s very accessible, easy to walk around and if needed, to push a wheelchair 🦽. There’s good toilet 🚻 facilities and plenty of parking 🅿️. Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend. A HUGE Thumbs up!!! 👍👍👍
We arrived and were warmly greeted by the reception team who outlined the walking route. We walked along and dropped into the vets area but it was empty we then walked up the elevated ramp and were greeted by Michael, one of the ambassadors, who talked us through the different Koalas and also pointed out where they were in the trees and explained a little about each one’s story.
We then went to the last enclosure and whilst we were looking Doreen gave us a really insightful talk about Koalas in general with a huge amount of information and really informative. Doreen’s passion for Koala was heartwarming.
I could not recommend the sanctuary enough, it was a fabulous 2 hours made better by the knowledge of both Michael and Doreen. Massive thanks to both of them for making this a memorable visit.
And one other thing is that the entrance fee and any donations go into the care of Koalas (bearing in mind that 60,000 Koalas perished in the most recent forest fires)
The best way to really understand and see how koalas are rescued and how they live in the wilderness. It’s pretty much like seeing them in the wild because the sanctuary is located in the actual forest. Do not hesitate to come visit, perfect activity for kids too. X
It included a free guided tour of the where the Koalas lived after being rescued. I would 100% recommend going on the tour because you get to see the koalas darling in the morning, in the few hours where they aren’t all sleeping!
Our tour was led by Ali who was super knowledgable and obviously very passionate about koalas. She was incredible!
And you could walk around as much as you wanted every day, to see the adorable koalas.
Honestly an amazing experience, 10/10.
We dropped in after a long drive not really knowing what to expect. In the end they have about a dozen koalas in care. The hospital is currently closed (due to building an extension). To walk a round takes less than 30 minutes. If you read all the signs, it takes a little but more. If you want to take nice pictures you will require even more time. The goal is noble, but they charge a steep price (an no reduction price since the hospital is closed). The facility is well maintained, but the question is, is that worth your money. You will be supporting a local initiative, but if you just want to look at koalas or take a picture of them you might be better off at another place. The prices for drinks and food are quite reasonable.
One of the highlights for us was the storytelling session about koalas, which was both informative and engaging, making us feel connected to these beautiful creatures. The sanctuary also houses a charming little gift shop stocked with delightful items. We couldn't resist bringing home three adorable koala soft toys—each one as lovely as the last.
Additionally, the sanctuary features a spa complete with a pool, adding a touch of luxury and relaxation to the visit. This makes it an ideal spot for families looking to combine education with leisure during their holidays.
Overall, I highly recommend the Koala Sanctuary for anyone looking to take their kids on a holiday that is both educational and enjoyable. It's a place that offers more than just a glimpse into the life of Australia's beloved koalas; it provides a full, enriching experience that will be remembered fondly.
Pros
- BBQ facilities great
- Room facilities very good, had everything could need
- Hamper very plentiful, lasted us days beyond our stay.
- staff friendly and helpful
- tour enjoyable and informative
Cons
- Koala enclosure closes at 4.45pm so we were only able to see them as part of the tour the next morning
I booked this after seeing reviews on booking.com that you could spot koalas from the tents. This is highly unlikely as koalas are in their own enclosures. Would stay in the cheaper accommodation on-site as everyone gets to do the morning tours together, as didn’t feel tent was worth the price for just one night.
The bed and room were very comfortable and the location within the Sanctuary was peaceful.
We enjoyed an excellent tour of the rehabbing koalas the following morning and appreciate that part of the cost to stay here goes towards running the hospital facilities.
Excellent.
A thoroughly delightful walk around learning about koalas habitat, threats, rescues and more.
Guided tours for $3 or $5 optional. Small & tasteful gift shop (and Cafe.)
Clean toilets.
Very well priced ( so much so I gave a donation extra), especially given the vet treatment the koalas receive there.
Well worth a visit. Allow an hour. (We took a leisurely 90 minutes) Though if you don't like watching koalas sleeping with an occasional munching, scratching or repositioning for more sleep, you could do it in 30-40 minutes.
We didn't have a pram or wheelchair but didn't see any steps and it was a wide flat path, so all looked very user friendly (having been on crutches recently I notice now walkways and steps more!).
has magnificent Eucalypt and banksia trees for them to have diversity. Fresh food (even misted with water) is supplied daily in bountiful amounts, plus there are signs asking people to be quiet so not to distress them.
A thoroughly delightful walk around learning about koalas habitat, threats, rescues and more.
Guided tours for extra $3 or $5 optional.
Small but tasteful gift shop (and cafe.)
Clean toilets.
Very well priced ( so much so I gave a donation extra), especially given the vet treatment the koalas receive there.
Well worth a visit. Allow an hour. (We took a leisurely 90 minutes) Though if you don't like watching koalas sleeping with an occasional munching, scratching or repositioning for more sleep, you could do it in 30-40 minutes.
Staff are incredibly attentive throughout, especially Renee and the cleaners.
The breakfast hamper was generous (see picture), and we were offered a refill on items halfway through our stay. Such a great place for families, the pool is well shaded, and two new umbrellas were added during our stay. Could do well to add a playground, even a natural one, to complement the surrounds
overall it was an amazing experience.






































