Daisy Hill Koala Centre is a great choice for families looking for an inexpensive, fun and easy day out.
In preparation for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, The Department of Environment and Heritage Protection has upgraded the Daisy Hill Koala Centre. The Centre was closed from Monday 13 November 2017 until 1st April 2018.
A koala morning or afternoon adventure for the whole family
Get those kids into the car and get them to Logan City! Daisy Hill Koala Centre is a peaceful destination where they can get up close and personal with nature, enjoy some family time and (hopefully) snooze in the car on the way home.
Where is Daisy Hill Koala Centre and what time of day should we go?
If you’re looking for a great view of some of these cuddly cuties, program the GPS for the Daisy Hill Conservation Park – Hill Rd, Daisy Hill. The area is open from 9am to 4pm (except Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Good Friday) and is about 25km south of Brisbane CBD.
It’s free to get in! If you want a guided tour and talk you have to book ahead to arrange for rangers to be available.
Some of the facilities in the centre close a little earlier (about 3.15pm) so getting there in the morning or around lunch time is probably the best time for families. If the weather has been a little rainy at Daisy Hill Koala Centre then access to viewing stations will be shut – try to time your visit for a nice sunny day!
What is there to see in the Daisy Hill Koala Centre?
This is a much smaller establishment than somewhere like Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary but it’s still absolutely worth the trip. In 2009 the centre was the lucky recipient of a lot of renovations which meant that the enclosures increased in size. There are also some interactive displays for kids to get up and negotiate.
There is a long boarded walkway (pram and wheelchair accessible – easy for everyone) that meanders through the enclosure. Staying quiet and moving slowly is ideal – besides the koalas that are dotted throughout the trees at Daisy Hill Koala Centre you might also catch a glimpse of some wallabies or possums resting in boxes! Ask your kids to keep track of the different creatures they see!
Koalas at the Centre
Their resident koalas can be seen from two different level viewing boardwalks at the Daisy Hill Koala Centre. General public are not able to handle or pat the koalas.
Pound
Pound was born in 2010 at DreamWorld. He has successfully contributed to DreamWorld’s captive koala breeding program. Pound weighs around 7.5 kilograms.
If you are lucky, you might be able to witness him serenading the female koalas with the sound of his deep bellow (snore-like inhalations).
You may also notice that Pound is quite smelly and has a ‘dirty’ patch on his chest. At the centre of this patch is a scent gland, typically found on adult male koalas. The male koalas use this strong smelling oily gland to rub on trees to communicate to other koalas that they are in the area. You are able to sample this scent on the display on the lowest level of the Centre.
Kyra
Kyra is a female koala who is estimated to have been born in 2011.
Kyra was admitted to the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital in September 2015 suffering cystitis and ovarian cysts. Veterinary assessment determined that Kyra was infertile due to these complications.
Koalas that are sterile are not released back into the wild and so Kyra has come to live at Daisy Hill as an education display koala.
Kyra is a light grey koala with long, wispy fur on her ears. She is a very good eater and can often be seen chewing on her favourite eucalyptus leaves, broad and waxy species such as Eucalyptus robusta.
Jannico
Jannico is a dark grey female koala who is estimated to have been born in 2012.
Jannico was the victim of a car hit and admitted to the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital in September 2015. In addition to treatment for her motor vehicle injuries, Veterinary assessment also revealed that Jannico was suffering from ovarian cysts. Jannico was deemed infertile due to these complications.
Koalas that are sterile are not released back into the wild and so Jannico has come to live at Daisy Hill as an education display koala.
Jannico is generally low in her enclosure, nestled in amongst the leaf. She is often found sleeping stretched out, with her back legs hanging off the branch.
Families Magazine tip: Keep your eyes peeled for cheeky Harold the Kookaburra!
Daisy Hill Education Centre
As we said before, the Daisy Hill Koala Centre also has a few interactive displays. These are educational material that can help kids learn about threats to habitats, conservation efforts and how children can become involve in environmental protectionism. The kids can play games, check out the world from a ‘koala’s eye view’ and even watch movies in the theatre!
Little ones are catered for as well with some softer play spaces and colouring stations.
Daisy Hill Koala Centre for families and schools
Daisy Hill Koala Centre wildlife officers deliver keeper talks twice a day providing information on the animals within the Centre and the roles of Daisy Hill Koala Centre staff. For daily talk times, check the sign at the entrance of the Centre.
Daisy Hill Koala Centre staff run koala-focused talks for schools and groups within the Centre. If you’d like to know more or are interested in making a booking, contact the Centre between 8am and 4pm weekdays, and talk to a Wildlife Officer.
The Connect with Nature school program features environmental education activities offered in Queensland’s parks and forests by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. The program offers students the opportunity to experience Queensland’s natural environment through ranger-guided activities. Some activities are designed to meet the State curriculum, and some may attract a small user-pays fee.
Is there anything else to do at Daisy Hill Koala Centre?
There are huge grounds at the Conservation Park (over 400 hectares, in fact!) and lots of spots to spread out picnic blankets. Let the kids kick a ball around or adventure along one of the available walking trails. Remember, though, to be respectful of the natural environment and take all rubbish with you.
Make like a tree and leave!
… Immediately to get to Daisy Hill Koala Centre! Mid-week visits with littler kids are a great time to go or leave it to the weekend when the school-aged kids can come too. A great day out for Brisbane families!
Koala Sightings
Sightings of all sick, injured, orphaned and dead koalas in South East Queensland should be reported to RSPCA on 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625).
Is this place open again? 7th Jan 2021
Unfortunately the Centre is closed for upgrading works.
Thanks – will update.