Koalas on the Sunshine Coast

Ever since Captain Cook discovered the Glass House Mountains in 1770, the Sunshine Coast has been known to be as colourful as its surroundings. Beautiful beaches, fabulous Sunshine Coast accommodation and expansive coastal views abound along with great surfing, fishing and bush walking. The Sunshine coast is a tourist hub, with Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo, Underwater World Marine Park, the Big Pineapple and the Majestic Theatre. 

The Sunshine Coast region is home to a lot of natural parks and sanctuaries. The natural biodiversity of the area has been protected by five separate parks in coastal regions, including Mapleton Falls National Park, Kondalilla National Park, The Glasshouse Mountains National Park, Noosa National Park, and the Great Sandy National Park, which includes sections on Fraser Island and in Cooloola near Rainbow Beach.

But the Sunshine Coast region is currently facing a major ecological disaster. According to reports, Australia's koala population might as well face extinction if adequate measures are not taken to stop the rapid decline in population. Development and burning of habitat has dropped the population tremendously. Once estimated to have a population of 20,000 koalas, in a recent eight day search, not a single one was found on the Sunshine Coast.

Conservationists have warned that koalas could be extinct in as little as 30 years. According to state government figures, there has been a 64 per cent decrease in the South East Queensland koala population in the past 10 years. Just as many have had a fascination for dinosaurs, koalas might also be a fascination someday when they become just a thing of the past.

So how can tourism help this? After all, isn’t over development one of the causes of this situation? Recent history has shown that wildlife reserves and habitats can be protected when money is channelled to them from ‘eco tourism’. Tourism can raise the status of koalas. An increased awareness of the koala plight would put pressure on politicians to do their bit to save koala habitats.

Research has shown that one of the main reasons why tourists come to Australia is because of its unique wildlife. Tourists enjoy seeing koalas in the wild - much more than seeing them in sanctuaries or zoos. Furthermore, the koala is closely identified with Australia’s image, particularly because tourism information often includes koalas in its marketing. If the koala population is allowed to decline, it’s quite possible that international tourism numbers will suffer.

If you’re looking for koalas on your Sunshine Coast holiday, they are known to be visible in Noosa National Park but you may need to have patience in spotting them as they are few and far between. The only place where you are guaranteed koala sightings on the Sunshine Coast today is Australia Zoo.

So if you want to see a koala in the wild, you’ll need to book your Sunshine Coast holidays quickly before those opportunities dry up. Support the protection of koalas in the wild. Visit the Sunshine coast in Australia and support this cause!