The eucalyptus-munching residents of Cleland Wildlife Park have just landed themselves some seriously plush digs. A brand-new $2.6 million koala loft has swung open its doors, designed with both comfort and curiosity in mind. As the park’s most beloved locals, the koalas now enjoy a state-of-the-art living space where sunshine, solitude, and social encounters all coexist neatly under one cleverly constructed roof.
This isn’t a fresh coat of paint and a few tree trunks thrown around. It’s a considered, modern habitat that gives these marsupials the best of both worlds: choice and comfort. The design allows koalas to either lounge in sun-drenched outdoor spaces or retreat to shaded, climate-controlled areas if the mood calls for quiet contemplation or an afternoon nap. It’s almost enviable.
Unlike the older setup, there’s no need to shuttle koalas back and forth between locations within the park. This centralised loft eliminates the stress of relocation and lets the koalas stay put while still offering up-close interactions with visitors. Access to the inside of the loft is reserved for special koala experiences, but anyone can still admire the fluffballs from the outer viewing areas that wrap around the structure.
For Cleland Wildlife Park, which has been delighting visitors since 1967, this upgrade marks a fresh chapter in its long story of connecting people with native animals. Over the years, koalas have become synonymous with the park, and the new facility only deepens that relationship. It signals a move toward even more responsible care, more thoughtful education, and a smoother experience for the nearly 130,000 guests who dropped by in 2024.
Building a home like this takes more than just blueprints and a budget. It takes a deep understanding of what makes koalas tick. From preferred temperatures to personal space preferences, the new loft caters to every known whim of these furry, slow-moving creatures. There are nooks where they can catch some alone time, platforms designed for prime lounging, and enough space to accommodate a variety of social and educational interactions with the public—all without making the animals feel like they’re on constant display.
For those lucky enough to score a koala encounter, the new setting delivers a memorable experience. Guests can get close—very close—to a koala perched on a stand, ready for a photo, a chat, or just some relaxed observation. While the koalas maintain their chilled demeanour, the humans are often wide-eyed with excitement. These interactions, far from being mere photo opportunities, are an important educational touchpoint. They offer a gentle but effective way of introducing visitors to the complexities of conservation and the role of biodiversity in everyday life.
Getting the koalas into their new space wasn’t a one-day job. The move-in was gradual and carefully paced over several months, giving all 26 koalas ample time to get familiar with the surroundings. Staff at the park kept a close eye on their responses, ensuring that no koala was unsettled or overwhelmed. It’s a long game—aimed at long-term welfare.
The building itself doesn’t scream for attention. It blends in quietly with the surrounding landscape, echoing the tones and textures of the park. It’s been designed to serve its purpose without shouting about it, a feature that speaks to the park’s overall ethos of quiet, thoughtful interaction with nature. This approach avoids spectacle. It focuses on creating the right conditions for life—koala life—to flourish.
For General Manager Kelly Bramhill, the loft is a proud milestone. She points to the joy of offering a facility that matches the standard of care the staff strive for every day. The space not only enhances the lives of the koalas, but also raises the bar for the type of visitor experiences the park can offer. The koala loft has become central to Cleland’s identity as a place where nature and people can meet gently, respectfully, and informatively.
South Australia’s investment in Cleland’s koalas reflects a broader confidence in the park’s work and its pull as a major tourist destination. In the 2023–24 financial year, nature-based tourism injected approximately $2.1 billion into the state’s economy. Within that ecosystem, Cleland is a key player. It’s a place that helps people understand animals and, more importantly, care about them.
Minister Susan Close describes the loft as a meaningful step in ensuring that koalas enjoy top-tier care while also educating the public in ways that are both accessible and impactful. For her, this isn’t about ticking boxes on animal welfare or tourism checklists—it’s about creating spaces where care and curiosity meet. It’s about giving koalas a home that reflects the value they hold in South Australian culture and conservation thinking.
There’s something quietly powerful about being able to see a koala up close, to watch its deliberate movements, and to hear directly from those who work with them daily. The park’s guided koala experiences turn an afternoon visit into something more layered. Visitors come away not only with great photos, but with a sense of what it takes to protect these animals in the wild.
And while the humans are learning and connecting, the koalas are lounging, snacking, and soaking up the best of both indoor and outdoor living. It’s a far cry from the more sterile, confined environments animals have sometimes had to settle for in the past. Cleland’s approach shows that conservation, comfort, and curiosity can all sit comfortably under one gumleaf-strewn roof.
If the koalas could talk, they’d probably say they approve of the upgrade—right after finishing that eucalyptus snack and finding the next comfy branch for a nap.
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