Construction starts on new $2.57m koala ‘experience’ enclosure at Cleland Wildlife Park

Construction has started on a major new “experience” but the big job means one of the attraction’s most popular features has to be suspended.

Construction has started on a new $2.57m koala “experience” enclosure at Cleland Wildlife Park.

The state-of-the-art, temperature-controlled koala loft will allow visitors to see, hold and interact with koalas all year round in a single location, meaning the animals won’t have to be transported between lofts across the park.

Cleland is one of SA’s most popular tourist attractions, with 130,000 people heading there in 2023 – a rise of 34 per cent on the year before.

Its koala close encounter experience is one of the most popular offers at the park, which is one of the few spots in the world to offer people a chance to hold a koala. It’s cancelled when temperatures reach higher than 33C.

However, the Hold A Koala tourist experience is unavailable until spring while the upgrades continue.

Artist impressions of a $2.57m state-of-the-art new koala experience enclosure under construction at Cleland Wildlife Park in the Adelaide Hills.

All other animal experiences are operating as usual, and koalas can still be seen at any time of the day in the Round Loft.

Educational talks by experienced koala keepers, including habitat and conservation information, will continue to be provided daily.

The new loft is being built by BMD Constructions and is expected to be complete in late 2024.

The koala encounter experience isn’t cheap, with tickets starting at $110, which doesn’t include park entry.

Artist impressions of a $2.57m state-of-the-art new koala experience enclosure under construction at Cleland Wildlife Park in the Adelaide Hills.

Cleland Wildlife Park general manager Michelle Hocking said the “world-class upgrade” would allow the park to showcase its conservation efforts and provide an opportunity for visitors to observe koalas up close.

“The new loft will allow us to continue providing an immersive nature experience where visitors can engage with our iconic koalas and learn about the importance of conservation,” she said.

Environment Minister Susan Close said the new enclosure would ensure koalas were housed in the best conditions possible every day of the year.

“This is a much-needed upgrade and will provide a consistent climate and comfortable environment to Cleland’s koalas and the people visiting them.”

Cleland Wildlife Park was established in 1967 and for more than 50 years has been much loved by visitors as a site to experience native wildlife. Koalas have been a constant over this period.