Welcome to Guulabaa
Place of Koala
In Cowarra State Forest
Guulabaa means ‘place of koala’ in local Gathang, the language of the Biripi people,
the traditional owners of the land on which Guulabaa sits.
Guulabaa plays host to a variety of visitor experiences located within beautiful Cowarra State Forest on the NSW mid-North Coast. A forest-based tourism precinct devoted to the overarching site theme of ‘Caring for Country’, Guulabaa offers visitors a variety of opportunities for relaxation, learning and fun within a natural, hardwood forest.
Welcoming visitors from the carpark is The Big Koala, a 2.5 metre sculpture painted by local artist Pauline Roods, part of the Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail. Koala Conservation Australia operates the world’s first wild Koala breeding facility on site, where visitors can learn about the ongoing rejuvenation of the koala species following the 2019-2020 Mid-North Coast fires on surrounding environments. WildNets is a unique treetop experience, offering visitors the chance to bounce around in the forest canopy, whilst Bunyah Local Aboriginal Land Council’s café provides refreshments at The Hub, an architect designed suite of decks where visitors can take in the sights and sounds of Cowarra State Forest. Bunyah Gallery, showcasing Aboriginal art, will also be located at The Hub in the future. Forestry Corporation’s picnic area and walking tracks round out the Guulabaa experience, an unmissable stop on the NSW Mid North Coast.
Open daily.
What is "the hub"?
The Hub is the central area for visitors to Guulabaa - Place of Koala in Cowarra State Forest.
The Hub connects all our tourism experiences including; Koala Conservation Australia/Port Macquarie Koala Hospital’s Wild Koala breeding facility, Bunyah Local Aboriginal Land Council café and gallery, Wildnets Adventure and Hello Koala’s The Big Koala.
When complete the space will consisting of 4 decks, each with it's own unique purpose, to promote understanding, invite connection and evoke action.
Deck 1 will host Bunyah Local Aboriginal Lands Council cafe, connect to the entrance to Koala Hospital Port Macquarie / Koala Conservation Australia's new wild koala breeding facility, and provide seating to take in forest views and Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail The Big Koala.
Where to
find us
Guulabaa – Place of Koala
Guulabaa Way
Off Burrawan Forest Drive
Lake Innes NSW 2446.
Travelling from the south
Take the Oxley Highway exit off the Pacific Highway and travel towards Wauchope.
Take the left hand turn into Burrawan Forest Drive.
Guulabaa way is a signposted right-hand turn off Burrawan Forest Way.
Look for the entrance to Guulabaa – Place of Koala on your right.
Travelling from the north
Take the Oxley highway exit off the Pacific Highway and turn right, heading towards Wauchope.
Take the left hand turn into Burrawan Forest Drive.
Guulabaa way is a signposted right-hand turn off Burrawan Forest Way.
Look for the entrance to Guulabaa – Place of Koala on your right.
PROMOTE UNDERSTANDING - INVITE CONNECTION - EVOKE ACTION
Partner experiences
Guulabaa is a partnership project between
Partner experiences
Guulabaa is a partnership project between
Video thanks to partners & contractors, Lahey Constructions.
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Our Updates
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Spotlight on: Koala Conservation Australia. Thanks to the thousands of generous donations during the Black Summer bushfires, Koala Conservation Australia has pioneered a world-first koala breeding program to boost wild populations. This visitor attraction will be opening soon.
