Explore koalas and their woodland habitat
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The Koala Conservation Reserve gives students the opportunity to explore a natural woodland environment and observe koalas amongst the trees. The reserve is more than a place to see koalas — it provides a chance to investigate the connections between an animal, its habitat and the wider ecosystem.
Follow the boardwalks through the woodland and encourage students to look carefully at the environment around them. Koalas can often be found resting in the canopy, while other signs of wildlife may be found closer to the ground. Look for birds, insects, reptiles and other animals sharing the habitat.
Students can also investigate the plants that make up the woodland, including eucalyptus species that provide an important food source for koalas. Look closely at leaves, bark, tracks and other evidence to build a picture of how animals use the habitat.
What can students explore?
Students can investigate:
- Koala adaptations and behaviour
- Eucalyptus trees and koala diet
- Habitat requirements and biodiversity
- Evidence of animals within an ecosystem
- The impacts of habitat loss and other threats
- Conservation and habitat management
- The connections between individual species and healthy ecosystems
The reserve is particularly useful for developing observation and fieldwork skills. Rather than focusing only on finding a koala, encourage students to investigate the whole habitat and consider what makes it suitable for wildlife.
Younger students might focus on what they can see, hear and find, while older students can investigate adaptations, habitat, biodiversity and conservation.
Dress for the conditions: The reserve is an outdoor environment and the weather can change quickly. Comfortable walking shoes and clothing appropriate for the conditions are recommended.
