First look at Mid North Coast’s newest tourism precinct, world-first canopy attraction, unique koala program

The first stage of a new tourism precinct near Wauchope was unveiled by the local member for Port Macquarie this week. Find out what’s in store for the state forest site.

Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams joined local partners at Cowarra State Forest to unveil the first stage of a new tourism precinct this week.

Guulabaa (Gathang for ‘place of koala’) will feature a unique koala breeding program by the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital and treetop canopy experience by WildNets – both of which will be the only of their kind in the world.

It’s a timely step forward, given the NSW Government officially listed koalas as an endangered species just this month.

Along with the hospital’s efforts to protect the animal, the WildNets experience will allow locals and tourists a chance to see things from the koala’s point of view.

“As you can see, the top wires are now in place, these will support a number of bouncey netted rooms among the trees,” WildNets CEO Marius Gaymard said.

“From as young as one-year-old, you will be able to go on the slides, jump in the ball pits and navigate the 3D maze – all without any harnesses, helmets or equipment needed.

“We have two similar WildNets, but this experience will be the first of its kind in the world.

“It will attract more visitors to the Mid North Coast, and 50 per cent of our profits will go back into the Koala Hospital’s breeding program.”

Guulabaa is located just off the main road between Port Macquarie and Wauchope and is well on its way to becoming a multipurpose space with a Bunyah Local Aboriginal Lands Council-run gallery and cafe, outdoor picnic area, forest walking tracks and more.

Four years on from when Forestry Corporation’s Kathy Lyons began talking about the idea, the precinct is now under construction, with the sealed road, timber bridge, carpark and perimeter completed in time for the local MP’s visit this week.

In keeping with the koala theme, a giant 2.5m sculpture of the Aussie icon will stand proudly at Guulabaa.

It will be the largest statue on the Hello Koalas sculpture trail, complimented by the regular-sized Forestry-sponsored Gulla sculpture that will change locations and move around the site, and Project Director Margret Meagher simply can’t wait to see them in place.

Margret Meagher, of Hello Koalas, said it's simply fantastic to see the first stage of Guulabaa unveiled. The WildNets wiring can be seen in the trees behind.

“It’s going to take three to four months to complete, with a beautiful forest canopy scene currently being painted,” she said.

“I’ve wanted to do a Big Koala ever since we began planning Hello Koalas in 2010, and we’ve been looking for a location since 2014, but nowhere seemed suitable until now – this is the right place to put the sculpture.

“Koalas are important to our region, both socially and for the tourism industry, and the local Koala Hospital has done a great job of shedding light on the vulnerability of the species.

“So the breeding program is an important aspect of the site, it will cast a strong light on wildlife conservation on the Mid North Coast.”

There may also be further sculptures added in the Guulabaa project, to compliment the Big Koala, with more potential partners attending the unveiling this week.

The site will be opened in stages, with parts set to officially open to the public as early as September this year.

“It’s been an incredibly tough couple of years for tourism on the Mid North Coast,” Mrs Williams said.

“So this unique, eco-tourism attraction will add to the other highlights we have on offer and encourage visitors to stay another night or two.

“Guulabaa will be a fun way for tourists and locals to learn about how important wildlife conservation is.

“We’re excited for this precinct to create more local jobs and boost the economy.”