Updated in October 2026, this Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking, accessibility and what to see.
The Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary is an 8-hectare koala conservation centre at One Mile, close to Anna Bay in Port Stephens, New South Wales. It combines a working koala hospital, a sculpture story walk and an elevated canopy walk beside recovering wild koalas. You can book through GetYourGuide before you travel. As of October 2026, an adult ticket costs $28 and a child ticket costs $15. Last entry is at 16:00, and a 3 Day Pass lets you return across three consecutive days.
Quick facts for the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 562 Gan Gan Road, One Mile, New South Wales 2316 |
| Opening hours (September to May) | Daily 9:00 to 17:00. Last entry 16:00 |
| Opening hours (June to August) | Daily 9:00 to 16:00. Last entry 15:00 |
| Closed | Christmas Day and New Year’s Day |
| Adult (18+) | From $28 |
| Child (3 to 17) | From $15 |
| Concession | From $19 |
| Infants (2 and under) | Free |
| Parking | Free on site |
| Walk length | About 1 kilometre round trip |
| Typical visit | One to two hours |
Why book Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary tickets?
- 🐨 Eye-level views of koalas: The elevated SKYwalk puts you in the tree canopy beside recovering wild koalas.
- 🏥 A working koala hospital: A viewing window shows vets and volunteers caring for rescued koalas.
- 🎨 The Sanctuary Story Walk: A 250-metre path of giant sculptures tells the story of a rescued koala named Kasey.
- 🔁 A 3 Day Pass: You can return across three consecutive days at no extra cost.
- 🅿️ Free parking: The sanctuary has free on-site parking, with accessible spaces in every car park section.
Ticket prices for the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary – and how to book
All prices are in Australian dollars.
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult (18 and over) | $28 |
| Child (3 to 17) | $15 |
| Concession | $19 |
| Infant (2 and under) | Free |
Concession tickets apply to Australian seniors, students, pensioners and visitors with a disability. Show a recognised card on entry, in physical or digital form. Children under 17 must be accompanied and supervised by an adult.
Your ticket gives all-day entry, and you can ask about the 3 Day Pass when you book. Tickets cover the Story Walk, the Koala Hospital viewing window and the SKYwalk. You can book through GetYourGuide for a general admission ticket.
Opening hours for the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary
The sanctuary opens every day except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Weekday and weekend hours are the same. Winter hours are shorter, and the SKYwalk closes 45 minutes before the sanctuary.
| Season | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| September to May | 9:00 to 17:00. Last entry 16:00. SKYwalk closes 16:45 |
| June to August | 9:00 to 16:00. Last entry 15:00. SKYwalk closes 15:45 |
| Christmas Day and New Year’s Day | Closed |
How to get to the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary
The sanctuary is at 562 Gan Gan Road in One Mile, close to One Mile Beach. By car, drive via Gan Gan Road. A bus stop on Gan Gan Road is a short walk from the entrance.
Parking at the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary
Parking is free on site. Accessible parking spaces are in every car park section.
How long to spend at the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary
Allow one to two hours for the Story Walk, the Koala Hospital window and the SKYwalk. The full loop is about one kilometre. Allow more time if you stop at the café.
Accessibility at the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary
The Story Walk, the SKYwalk and the koala viewing platform are wheelchair friendly, and the SKYwalk has a gentle incline. Limited bench seating is available along the Story Walk and the SKYwalk. Accessible parking and toilets are provided.
The walks are not undercover. Bring a hat and sunglasses, and check the weather before you go. Only drink bottles are allowed inside the sanctuary.
What to see at the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary
The Sanctuary Story Walk. A 250-metre path winds through eucalypts and native gardens. Large sculptures and information panels tell Kasey the koala’s story of rescue, care and recovery.
The Koala Hospital. A window lets you watch veterinary staff and volunteers care for rescued koalas and other native wildlife. The hospital is a working facility.
The Sanctuary SKYwalk. A 225-metre elevated boardwalk rises about 10 metres into the canopy. It brings you eye level with recovering wild koalas in their natural habitat.
The viewing platform. A platform at the end of the SKYwalk gives a quiet place to watch koalas. Look out for echidnas on the ground and possums in tree hollows.
The Fat Possum Café. The café and kiosk sell barista coffee, grab-and-go food and souvenirs. A gift shop is on site.
Overnight stays. The sanctuary also offers accommodation. Guests join guided morning tours of the SKYwalk before opening time.
Practical visitor tips for the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Book ahead | You can buy online or at the sanctuary. Book tickets in advance to plan your day. |
| Ask about the 3 Day Pass | A 3 Day Pass lets you return across three consecutive days at no extra cost. |
| Bring sun protection | The walks are not undercover. |
| Mind the last entry | Last entry is at 16:00, or 15:00 in winter. |
| Leave food outside | Only drink bottles are allowed inside. The café is the place for food. |
Frequently asked questions about the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What are the opening hours? | Daily from 9:00 to 17:00 with last entry at 16:00. In June, July and August, it closes at 16:00 with last entry at 15:00. |
| How much does a ticket cost? | Adult tickets start from $28, child tickets from $15 and concession tickets from $19. Infants aged 2 and under are free. |
| Can I hold a koala? | Day tickets are for viewing. You watch recovering wild koalas from the SKYwalk and the hospital window. |
| Is parking free? | Yes. Parking is free on site, with accessible spaces. |
| Do I need to book in advance? | You can buy at the sanctuary, but advance booking is recommended for busy school holidays. |
Things to do near the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary
One Mile Beach: A long surf beach on the Port Stephens coast near the sanctuary.
Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters: An interactive shark and ray aquarium at Anna Bay in Port Stephens.
Birubi Beach: A surf beach at Anna Bay at the edge of the Stockton Bight sand dunes.
Worimi Conservation Lands: A huge coastal dune system known for sandboarding and 4WD tours at Stockton Bight.
Oakvale Wildlife Park: A wildlife park with Australian animals at Salt Ash in Port Stephens.
Alternatives to the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary
Port Stephens Animal Adventures: An indoor wildlife attraction with sharks, rays and crocodiles at Bobs Farm.
Australian Reptile Park: A reptile and wildlife park at Somersby on the Central Coast.
Hunter Valley Wildlife Park: A small zoo at Nulkaba in the Hunter Valley.
Blackbutt Reserve: A bushland reserve with native animals in Newcastle.
Port Stephens dolphin cruises: Boat trips from Nelson Bay to see dolphins in Port Stephens.
More New South Wales travel
Other New South Wales travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Bago Maze visitor guide: What to expect at Australia’s largest hedge maze.
- Mid-North Coast beach guides: Burgess Beach in Forster.
- What to expect at the Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary on the Central Coast.
- How to visit Fitzroy Falls in the Southern Highlands.
- First time visitors’ guide to Symbio Wildlife Park near Wollongong.
