Koalas across Moreton Bay

Koala in wooded area

Koalas live in many of the urbanised areas of Moreton Bay. You can find them in our parks, nature reserves, school playgrounds and in trees along road verges.

To see a koala, try visiting your local park or:

  • John Oxley Reserve, Murrumba Downs
  • Old Petrie Town, Whiteside
  • Chelsea Street Reserve, Rothwell
  • Kurwongbah Park Koala Nature Refuge, Petrie
  • Whiteside Park Koala Nature Refuge, Whiteside.

Found an injured koala?

Injured wildlife can be unpredictable. For help and advice about koala rescue or care refer to Injured wildlife.

Report a koala sighting

Have you seen a koala? Help Council manage our local environment by reporting these sightings. 

Koala breeding season

July to December is koala breeding season in Moreton Bay. During these months, koalas look for a mate.

Wildlife signage alerts residents to areas where koalas are often seen. You may see koalas crossing roads in the area. Be mindful of speed restrictions, particularly in areas next to bushland habitats.

How you can help protect koalas

Get involved in koala conservation activities by:

  • walking your dog on a lead unless in a designated off-leash area
  • looking out for koalas on your property
  • reporting sick or injured koalas
  • participating in local conservation and restoration activities. 

Koala conservation projects and programs

Council supports koalas in Moreton Bay through conservation projects and programs.

Council is working to enhance wildlife habitat across Moreton Bay. The Living with Wildlife video provides highlights of this work.

Watch the highlights video

Koala Conservation Partnership Project

The Koala Conservation Partnership project aims to protect local koala populations.

The project aligns activities to achieve optimal investment in koala conservation. Project outcomes include:

  • mapping
  • development guidelines
  • enhancement of existing koala habitat and reinstatement of linkages between habitat patches
  • koala-friendly fencing and road crossing retrofits
  • koala fodder plantations for carers
  • covenants to secure on-ground investment
  • wild dog control measures
  • education and awareness programs.

Koala nature refuges

Council has ensured the protection of more than 280 hectares of land for koala nature refuges. Protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 refuges are subject to conservation agreements between Council and the Department of Environment and Science.

Visit the refuges at:

  • Whiteside Road Park, Whiteside - 2.4 hectares
  • Brian Burke Reserve, Samford Valley - 268 hectares
  • Kurwongbah Park, Petrie - 12 hectares.

Koala habitat restoration projects

Council carries out koala habitat restoration projects at various sites across Moreton Bay. These projects increase the amount, quality, and connectivity of koala habitats. Restoration usually involves weed control and planting of koala food and habitat trees. Council continues to maintain the project areas after planting.

Projects delivered or underway include sites at:

  • North Ridge Circuit, North Lakes
  • Sir Dapper Drive Park, Burpengary
  • Brian Burke Reserve, Samford Valley
  • Bickle Road, Murrumba Downs
  • Nelson Road, Joyner
  • Walkers Road, Morayfield
  • Sylvester Drive, Kallangur.

Urban Koala Tree Project

The Urban Koala Tree Project is a collaborative research project between Council and the University of the Sunshine Coast.  

The project aims to deliver small growing gum trees suitable for use in urban areas. These gum trees, known as Eucalyptus kabiana, are native to the Glasshouse Mountains. Within their native habitat, they usually grow to 5 metres in height.

The university provided 95 saplings for planting across 20 sites in Moreton Bay. 

For more information refer to the Urban Koala Project.

Koala chlamydia vaccine research

Council is a foundation funding partner with the University of the Sunshine Coast for a chlamydia vaccine for koalas. The university conducted research, development, and initial field trials for the vaccine.

Chlamydia is a serious threat to koalas and can lead to blindness, infertility and death. Of the koalas presented to wildlife hospitals, 40% showed chronic disease symptoms.

Phase one results have been promising. They show the presence of the disease decreased from 28% to less than 1%.

Development and field trials of the vaccine continue in phase 2 throughout the area.

Wild dog management

Wild dogs are a significant threat to koala populations across South East Queensland. Council has an extensive wild dog management program.

Related information

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