New South Wales · Attraction
Tilligerry Habitat
Free koala spotting in the bush
schedule 1 min read / Updated Jun 2026
Tilligerry Habitat is a free-entry, nine-hectare crown reserve on the foreshore of Port Stephens at Tanilba Bay, maintained by a dedicated team of local volunteers. It is widely regarded as one of the most reliable spots in Port Stephens to see wild koalas in their natural environment, with volunteers often marking active sightings on a daily map available from the visitor centre.
The reserve protects a mosaic of coastal scrub, wetland, and forest that supports koalas, wallabies, echidnas, and more than 100 bird species. An accessible 2-kilometre network of flat gravel paths and timber boardwalks loops through the different habitats, suitable for prams and wheelchairs. The grounds are open at all times, while the visitor centre and native plant nursery operate during the day, volunteer-staffed, so hours can vary.
Koalas use the reserve year-round, favouring certain stands of grey gum and tallowwood. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to spot them active rather than sleeping. A printed koala-spotting map is available free at the entry, and interpretive signs along the paths explain local ecology and the Gathang language of the Worimi people, the traditional custodians of this country.
The reserve is easy to combine with a visit to nearby Lemon Tree Passage or a drive along the Tilligerry Peninsula, which is less visited than the Nelson Bay side of Port Stephens.
Where to stay
Holiday parks near Tilligerry Habitat.
5 options via our booking partner
Thou Walla Sunset Retreat
6.2km away
Halifax Holiday Park
14.6km away
Shoal Bay Holiday Park
15.5km away
Reflections Jimmy's Beach Holiday Park
Hawks Nest
·17.2km away
Reflections Hawks Nest Holiday Park
17.7km away
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Scenic views
