Place of Koala celebrates its final construction milestone today, ahead of its grand opening at the end of 2024.
Situated on the NSW Mid North Coast in Cowarra State Forest near Port Macquarie, Guulabaa – Place of Koala offers visitors opportunities to learn about Aboriginal culture, koala conservation, and forest management while enjoying a day in the forest.
Guulabaa means 'place of koala' in local Gathang, the language of the Biripi people.
The NSW Government, Forestry Corporation and project partners Koala Conservation Australia, WildNets, Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail, Bunyah Local Aboriginal Land Council and Hello Koalas will this week celebrate the opening of Deck 1.
Deck 1 is the main timber deck connecting Guulabaa's visitor attractions and one of four decks that extend into the forest canopy, offering visitors a koala's perspective of Cowarra State Forest.
Guulabaa – Place of Koala has been a hit with families since the WildNets treetops adventure park opened in late 2022.
Also on site, Koala Conservation Australia's wild koala breeding facility is nearing completion and will be ready to welcome visitors at the end of this year. It is the first facility of its kind in the world.
The Bunyah Local Aboriginal Land Council is also set to run a cafe and art gallery in the tourism precinct.
The grand opening of Guulabaa – Place of Koala is planned for December, just in time for the influx of holiday tourists to the region.
Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty:
"Guulabaa is fast becoming a popular stop on family holiday road trips with visitors taking photos under the Big Koala, children enjoying the Wildnets ropes and tree houses and importantly learning about Biripi Aboriginal culture, koala conservation and NSW State forests," Ms Moriarty said.
"Guulabaa's attractions are linked by The Hub, an award-winning design constructed with high-quality timber products which the North Coast timber industry produces. We thank the construction team who have made it a reality, including architects Gensler Australia and builder Frank Maione."
"Once completed this project, funded through the NSW and Federal Governments' Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund and the NSW Regional Growth, Environment & Tourism Fund, will serve as a major tourist drawcard for the region generating great return to the local economy."
Forestry Corporation Chief Executive Officer Anshul Chaudhary:
"Guulabaa - Place of Koala, as one of our flagship visitor sites is a great example of what can be achieved through industry and community partnerships in a state forest. With the support of the NSW Government, our partners, and the North Coast timber industry, we have created an important forest-based tourism facility that will bring enormous benefits to the region through tourism and local employment, whilst supporting the important work of Koala Conservation Australia," Mr Chaudhary said.
"Today is a special milestone as the partners in this project are one step closer to the grand opening of a great tourist attraction that's been built by the community, for the community. We are proud to have facilitated this opportunity for all our partners."
Guulabaa – Place of Koala is supported by investments of $3.09 million from the NSW Government, as well as $3 million co-funded under the Australian and NSW Governments Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund, and timber donations from the NSW timber industry worth an additional $1 million.
