Coombabah Lakelands Conservation Area

An amazing section of bushland in the middle of suburbia. After years of looking up into trees on our walks, this was the first time we saw koalas in the wild… and it is only a short drive from the Gold Coast. Got the perfect angle of a cute koala at the end.

We started on the east side and walked along the northern paths of the ‘Kangaroo’ and ‘Koala’ trails.

Originally, we were going to start at the bird hide and walk around the wetlands, but a local assured us there are numerous koalas along the ‘Koala Trail’. Of course, we were skeptical, as we have been on many walks and never seen koalas.

No koalas, yet but a few Eastern Grey Kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) about.

Sure enough, after 5 minutes we spotted our first koala! While I was taking photos of the kangaroos, a small koala was snoozing high up in the trees.

First koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)! Only the leg.

Better view, but face is still hidden.

Finally a face!

Three Noisy Miners (Manorina melanocephala) having a dust bath.

A small wren.

Some rangers told us there was a koala sleeping on some low branches further down the path. After a bit of walking we found him!

Sitting for a perfect portrait.