Koalas can often be spotted just beyond the villa windows, but those who take their time to truly explore the property are almost guaranteed plentiful encounters. Scan the upper reaches of towering gums, in particular the highest forks, where koalas like to doze, or cast your eyes down to the ground for the tell-tale signs of koala droppings at the base of trees and scratchings on the trunk. Did you know that Kangaroo Island is home to Australia’s only chlamydia-free population of koalas, considered crucial to the survival of the species nationwide?
Spot the eucalyptus trees first, then look for the koalas: Koalas feed almost exclusively on eucalyptus leaves, so if you want to find one, look for a healthy eucalyptus forest.
Look for signs of koalas: It can be pretty tricky to spot koalas looking up a tree, so you should look for tell-tale signs of koalas, like their droppings or scratch marks on tree trunks. If you spot those, look up and start scanning the branches.
Listen for their calls: Koalas have a distinctive, low-pitched call that sounds like a grunt. Not the most attractive call, but hey, it must work Follow this sound as you walk around Ecopia and you’re in for a treat!
Bring binoculars: Koalas can be quite high up in trees, so it's helpful to have binoculars to scan the trees more easily, and we have a set ready for you in your villa.
Go for walks around dawn and dusk: Koalas spend most of their time chillin’ out high in the trees and are much more active at night. Walking around at the right times of the day and you may even see them on the move!
Ask us: We know where the usual ‘hangouts’ are, and we often would know where the latest koala spotting was on the property, and can point you in the right direction.
Ecopia wildlife spotting bucket list
Wildlife is abundant on Kangaroo Island year-round and each season offers unique wildlife spotting opportunities. Visit the island from August to February to see kangaroo, wallaby and koala joeys as marsupial young begin to emerge from the protection of their mother’s pouches. Come winter, keen-eyed nature lovers can spot the curious echidna mating train, and June to September also offer the best whale-watching opportunities. Those who wander at dusk and dawn when animals are generally at their most active will be rewarded with the most prolific and memorable encounters.
Ready to book your nature-based escape? Check out our availability then book your Kangaroo Island accommodation at Ecopia Retreat.
