Where to See Wild Koalas in NSW: A Guide to Koala Spotting in Narrandera
If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing wild koalas in their natural habitat, Narrandera is one of the most reliable places in New South Wales to do it. Tucked along the Murrumbidgee River in the Riverina, Narrandera is home to a growing population of over 300 wild koalas that visitors can spot year-round. With accessible walking tracks, peaceful river beaches, and plenty of beautiful River Red Gums, it’s the ideal destination for travellers hoping to tick “see a koala” off their Australian wildlife wish list.
The Best Place to See Wild Koalas? Narrandera’s Flora & Fauna Reserve
Almost all of our koalas live within the Narrandera Flora & Fauna Reserve, a protected stretch of bushland just a few minutes walk from the centre of town. For travellers hoping to see koalas in the wild — without crowds or long, strenuous hikes — this is the place to go.
Tracks here are unsealed but flat, making the reserve easy to navigate by foot. You can generally drive in (weather permitting), but you’ll spot more koalas from the ground. Walking gives you the best chance of spotting koalas, especially in summer when they rest lower in branches and closer to the water.
One of the loveliest routes within the reserve is the Koala Track, which follows the canal beneath towering gums and opens out toward the beautiful Rocky Waterholes. This whole corridor is a consistent favourite hangout for koalas and one of the most consistent hotspots for sightings, especially during the warmer months.
As you continue exploring, head down the main track into the reserve and you’ll eventually reach the sandy edges of First Beach and Second Beach. These river beaches are great picnic spots and in summer, you might see a koala climbing down for a drink from the Murrumbidgee River or making its way between trees along the water. Although koalas get most of their hydration from eucalyptus leaves, the hotter weather often draw them closer to the riverside, offering rare, memorable viewing opportunities.
Spend a few hours exploring any combination of these areas and you’ll quicky understand why Narrandera has become known as an inland hotspot for wild koala encounters.
How to Spot Koalas in the Wild
Koalas are masters of blending into the branches but, once you learn what to look for, suddenly those rounded ears and fluffy shapes start appearing everywhere. Here are a few clues can help you find them:
Fresh scratch marks on tree trunks
Small droppings beneath favourite trees
A faint musky scent from male koalas
If you want to pick up expert tips quickly, consider timing your visit for the annual Koala Festival, when habitat train tours, guided bushwalks, and kayak tours teach visitors exactly how to read the landscape and find koalas in their natural environment. It’s a great way to gain confidence and you will definitely spot plenty of koalas.
Koala Spotting Checklist
Collect your map from the Destination and Discovery Hub.
Water bottles.
Hats and sunscreen (the Aussie sun is no joke).
Comfy shoes.
A fully charged camera or phone for photos.
Snacks (koala spotting is more fun when no one’s hungry).
A quick check of track conditions if it’s recently rained.
Awareness of wildlife — the Reserve is home to more than just koalas with kangaroos, rare bird species, and reptiles. Snakes generally want to avoid people so you can help them out by walking loudly, particularly when venturing off the trail, and watching where you step.
Why Narrandera Belongs on Every Wildlife Traveller’s Itinerary
Across NSW and Australia, wild koala sightings can be unpredictable, but Narrandera offers something rare: reliable, accessible, truly wild encounters in an uncrowded, peaceful setting.
With it’s beautiful walking tracks, healthy koala population, and opportunities to learn from experienced wildlife guides, Narrandera is one of the most rewarding places in regional NSW to see koalas in their natural habitat. Whether you’re road-tripping, exploring inland Australia, or hoping to finally spot a koala in the wild, this is where your chances are highest.