Great Koala National Park

Pending the work being undertaken by the NSW Government over the next 12 months, the Great Koala National Park will become a centrepiece of koala conservation in NSW and a must-see destination for nature lovers.

Stretching from Kempsey to Grafton and inland to Ebor, the proposed park will reserve 176,000 hectares of state forest and connect with existing national parks to create a 476,000-hectare reserve – one of the largest in NSW.

It will safeguard wildlife, contribute to the local economy, and give visitors a chance to connect deeply with one of Australia’s most biodiverse landscapes.

Download the map of the proposed Great Koala National Park (PDF 2.3MB).

Koalas in NSW are endangered, facing threats like habitat loss and fragmentation. Habitat fragmentation happens when parts of a habitat are destroyed, leaving behind smaller unconnected areas. Without action, koalas are on track to be extinct in the wild in NSW by 2050.

The park will protect a significant population of over 12,000 koalas by preserving large areas of connected, high-quality habitat.

But it’s not just about koalas. The park will also protect:

• 66 threatened animal species, including gliders and glossy black cockatoos
• 37 threatened plant species, such as spider orchids
• old-growth forests and vital water catchments
• climate refugia for species adapting to a warming world.

While the park is being established, recreational access in the State forests remains unchanged. Visitors can continue to enjoy all existing activities including mountain biking, trail riding, 4-wheel driving, bushwalking, camping, birdwatching and more. Future plans include:

• new walking tracks
• enhanced campgrounds and visitor facilities
• fire and ecological management to protect the landscape.

Can't wait to explore? Discover some of the existing national parks that are within the Great Koala National Park boundary. Plan your visit today.

The Great Koala National Park is a significant cultural landscape for Gumbaynggirr and Dunghutti peoples. An Aboriginal Advisory Panel is helping shape its future, with a focus on joint management, employment, and support for traditional practices.

The NSW Government is undertaking the work required to be able to put a Bill to Parliament to reserve the Great Koala National Park under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 in 2026. However, this is subject to completing key elements to create the park, including registration of a carbon project. If adopted, the carbon credits could help fund the park's long-term management.

As the new park takes shape, over 100 new staff will join the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service to help manage fire and invasive species, protect wildlife, restore habitats, and make sure visitors have a great experience. Local communities, businesses, recreational users and conservation groups will be invited to share their ideas to guide future management decisions.

Visit the Environment and Heritage website to find more detailed information on:

• how to register for project updates
• how the proposed park boundaries were identified
• funding
• koala drone surveys
• community consultation and engagement
• developing the carbon method
• the temporary moratorium on timber harvesting in state forests.

You can also find information and updates on the NSW Government website.