Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary Glamping | New South Wales

Australia > New South Wales

Why we like it

You can sleep inside a working koala sanctuary, which is about as close to a koala sleepover as a human gets.

The Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary was built after the 2019/20 bushfires to care for sick, injured and orphaned koalas, and your stay helps support that work.

It sits on 8 hectares of native bushland on the edge of One Mile Beach and the Worimi Conservation Lands sand dunes.

So you get koalas, a beach and enormous dunes in one postcode. The koalas will mostly ignore you.

They sleep up to 20 hours a day, so you’ll have plenty in common.

More info

Who it’s for
Couples, families and animal lovers who want glamping without the damp sleeping bag.

What it is
A set of 4-star glamping tents with decks, set among the gum trees of a purpose-built koala sanctuary.

Things to do
Start with koalas, then work your way outward to sand and sea.

• Treetop SKYwalk: A raised walkway that puts you at koala-eye level, so you can finally look them in the eye.
• Sanctuary Story Walk: A 250 m path with sculptures telling the koalas’ story.
• Koala hospital: A working hospital with four intensive care units, where you can see the rescue and recovery side of conservation.
• One Mile Beach and the Worimi dunes: A long stretch of sand and some of the biggest dunes in the southern hemisphere. Sandboarding and quad bike tours are on offer nearby.
• Nelson Bay: Dolphin cruises, whale watching in season and a good waterfront for ambling.

Review
“Koalas, kookaburras and a kettle on the deck: this is the gentlest kind of adventure.” My take: the tents are comfortable enough that nobody will miss their hotel room, and the real draw is knowing your stay helps injured koalas. Early risers get the best koala-spotting. It suits you if you’d rather watch gum trees than a TV.

Additional info

It’s secluded enough for kookaburras to be your alarm clock and close enough to Nelson Bay that dinner is never a problem.

The sanctuary is roughly 45 minutes’ drive from Newcastle.

It’s a collaboration between Port Stephens Council and Port Stephens Koalas, and it’s a real conservation operation, not a petting zoo with a gift shop.

FYI: Book ahead for weekends and school holidays.

Features:

Where?

Close to Toboggan Hill Park and Salamander Bay Square

State

New South Wales

Who we recommend it for

Couples, families and animal lovers who want glamping without the damp sleeping bag.

Bedrooms

Roughing it here means air conditioning, a kitchenette and a mini-bar.

• Deluxe glamping tents: Raised, air-conditioned tents that sleep up to four. Each has a private deck, a kitchenette, a mini-bar and views over the sanctuary. Put the kettle on, step onto the deck and see who’s in the trees.
• Deluxe Studios: A simple open-plan room for people who like the koalas but not canvas.
• One-bedroom Deluxe Suites: Self-contained and spacious, for anyone who wants walls and a bit more elbow room.

Things to do nearby

Start with koalas, then work your way outward to sand and sea.

Treetop SKYwalk: A raised walkway that puts you at koala-eye level, so you can finally look them in the eye.

Sanctuary Story Walk: A 250 m path with sculptures telling the koalas’ story.

Koala hospital: A working hospital with four intensive care units, where you can see the rescue and recovery side of conservation.

One Mile Beach and the Worimi dunes: A long stretch of sand and some of the biggest dunes in the southern hemisphere. Sandboarding and quad bike tours are on offer nearby.

Nelson Bay: Dolphin cruises, whale watching in season and a good waterfront for ambling.

Food and drink

Self-catering is the star here, thanks to the kitchenette and mini-bar in the tents.

Stock up in Nelson Bay or Raymond Terrace on the way in, and have breakfast on your deck with the koalas as your audience.

For a night out, Nelson Bay’s waterfront has plenty of restaurants and pubs, all a short drive away.