hellyes74

Has anyone been to this? Would they recommend going there, even if I would have to take a long train or bus ride?

Cilla_Tey

Yes, I have been. I would only recommend a "park" if you are not visiting an area where you can see koalas in the wild. The latter is possible but not easy. Check out the very new Sydney Wildlife World next to the Sydney Aquarium right smack in the CBD. There are koalas there too. Or try Taronga Zoo which is nearer than the Koala Park.

http://www.sydneywildlifeworld.com.au

Pottle

Consider an alternative, and IMHO a far superior experience. See them in their natural habitat on the Tillegerry Peninsula. Was there four days, and saw koalas at relatively close range (once within ten feet) each day and in the surrounding area, many roos.
From Sydney, take the train to Newcastle, rent a car for a short scenic drive to Lemon Tree Passage, and enjoy the wildlife and a very charming community - good restaurants and wineries in the area and some pretty beaches.
Have a great holiday.

willit

If you mean this one <http://www.koalaparksanctuary.com.au/> then I was there last month.

The advantages:
The park is small, and easily do-able in short time.
The Koala enclosure is small, and you can get very close to them for photographs etc. <http://www.microbes.plus.com/austral...oala%206.html>
The Kangaroos and Wallabies are very tame and can be hand fed (food availble at the kiosk).

The disadvantages. The park can get very full - In the 90 minutes or so we were there, four bus parties arrived. They were obviously on organised day trips, and it seemed that they wanted no more than to have their photo's taken with a koala, a wombat, a kangaroo - and then away.

I speak from total ignorance, and it may be that people far more in the know can correct me, but to me the place seemed far more of a money making excercise than a sanctuary. There is a rota to show which Koalas have been "displayed" and which are due rest, but, in my hastily formed opinion, the "have photo with Koala" seemed to take precedence over the "sanctuary" bit. The keepers organising the photo shoot for the koala kept rearranging it, so it remained in "photogenic" positions. The large flocks of Galahs and cockatoos seemed to have very little space.

I am not suggesting cruelty, but overall I was very disappointed. I would echo other posters and suggest you try and see them in the wild.

WallyKringen

Or did you mean www.waratahpark.com/, or www.featherdale.com.au?

oliverandharry

Actually, we loved the Koala Park. But we were there in late autumn, and when it had rained earlier in the day, and only one tour bus was there. We had plenty of time to view the animals and were nearly alone most of the time. I had dearly wanted to pat a wombat, but we arrived shortly after she was put back in her enclosure and they weren't about to drag her out just for me. But 1+hour later when the tour bus arrived, out she came again and I did get to pat her. I agree with your assessment that the tourists move through very quickly, but isn't that what tours do - the Australia Lite version? We also enjoyed visiting with the several elderly ladies who run the gift concession - they have lots of funny stories to tell! Without a car, however, it could be a little tricky to get to, and you certainly won't go wrong at Taronga.