Save the Koalas, QUEENSLAND
Airing Date: Jul 26th, 2004
Just 10 minutes from the main town centre, the 450 hectare Noosa National Park is one of the state's most picturesque parks.
The Australian Koala Foundation runs the Koalas in the Wild Tour. It's a guided eco-tour for those who wish to learn more about koalas and their native habitat. The eco-tour is a gentle two kilometre walk which takes approximately one and a half hours.
The national organisation funds koala research and education, as well as pushing to implement state and federal laws to protect koalas and their habitat. Your local guide, Bill, is an experienced koala carer who enjoys sharing his knowledge and showing visitors round the park.
There are only 12 koalas in the park, so they're not so easy to spot. When looking for koalas, it's best to look for any koala droppings at the base of the trees. Koala faeces has a distinct sweet eucalyptus smell.
Once you've found them hiding in the trees, Bill can imitate the koala's grunt, which attracts the female's attention.
To play a part in increasing the natural habitat for koalas, get involved with the other volunteers in bush regeneration. In five to seven years the Eucalyptus trees you plant will be big enough for the koalas to live in.
30 July is 'Save the Koala Dollar Day', when you can donate $1 to help save the koalas.
The facts
The Koalas in the Wild Tour costs $15 for adults and $10 for children.
Australian Koala Foundation
Tel: 1800 456 252
The Noosa Blue Resort offers one bedroom apartments from $215 a night.
Noosa Blue Resort
Tel: 1800 463 854
Prices correct at 26/07/04
