National Parks and Wildlife Service
South Australia

Exclusive Private Koala Hold Experience

Our Exclusive Private Koala Hold Experience at Cleland Wildlife Park provides an opportunity to be able to spend one-on-one time with a koala, in a private session with a koala keeper. This special experience includes the opportunity for you to hold a koala, which is then professionally photographed. A souvenir photograph will be given to you as part of this special memory.

Experience Includes

  • Exclusive private koala holding session out of waiting times
  • Entry into the park for the day
  • A bag of food to feed the free-ranging animals, at your own leisure
  • A professional photograph of your hold
  • The photo will be presented to you in a souvenir wallet
  • The duration is for one hour, which can also include a brief tour of the park after your koala experience (time permitting)
  • A free coffee, tea or hot chocolate per person, which can be enjoyed in our Barking Gecko Café
  • 10% discount card that can be used in our gift shop

Cost: $433.00 (one person, additional person/s $84.00 each)

(Maximum number per booking 6. Multiple bookings may be available for larger numbers)

Time: 9:00am


Bookings are essential. Please contact one of our team (during business hours Monday to Friday or email clelandwildlifepark@sa.gov.au.

We look forward to working with you, and making sure your experience at Cleland Wildlife Park is a memorable one.

Booking Conditions:

  • By making payment you are agreeing to the following booking conditions:
  • Bookings remain tentative until payment is received in full.
  • We have a heat policy for the welfare of our koalas. If the temperature is forecast to reach 32 degrees at Mt Barker, then it is too hot to handle the koalas. If you wish to keep your booking we will endeavour to ensure you have the most wonderful time at Cleland Wildlife Park, however we would be more than happy to reschedule at a mutually suitable time or issue you a full refund
  • Only children 13 years of age and older are permitted to hold a koala.
  • All children under 16 years must be accompanied by a paying adult.
  • Booking requests of more than 12 guests are required to extend the experience by 30 minutes to 1 hour. Additional costs are dependent on guest numbers and experience start times. Please contact our team for a quote.
  • Cancellations made by customer 5 days’ prior to booking will receive a full refund. Cancellations shorter than this period will not be refunded. If a refund is authorised it will be made within 28 days of booking date.
  • Cancellations made by Cleland Wildlife Park may occur due to extreme weather, or other conditions, outside of the park’s control. You will be notified if this is to occur and will be refunded in full.
  • Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear for your tour.
  • Strong perfume and loud jewellery can upset the koalas. You may be asked to clean off perfume or remove jewellery to take part in this experience.
  • If you are late, your tour will still conclude at the designated time.
  • Participants must follow all instructions given by keeper staff, for safety reasons