Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary — Attraction in One Mile

WOW. The website is nice but reality is SOOO much nicer and amazing. My husband and I booked a 4-night glamping stay in one of their many lovely tents and only wish we stayed longer. Everything was perfect. The staff were so friendly, kind, funny and welcoming (this includes everyone at the welcome kiosk, our tour guide Ali, the maintenance crew, folks working at the hospital, volunteers, etc. etc etc). Everyone was wonderful. The tent was so incredibly clean, well-kept, so well laid-out and equipt, the bed marvelously comfortable, bathroom and shower great and the AC worked like a charm. The covered porch and Adirondack chairs and table with seating were such a nice touch. The gift shop and little cafe were so incredibly well-stocked with high quality items and delicious sandwiches and coffee. The pool and spa area were so thoughtfully designed and super-nice and the play zone with beanbags were a delight. :) And, free laundry machines for guests? Really can't get any better. The hospital there does such amazing work and cares for all local wildlife who may need it - and much of the staff there are volunteers, which make it even more amazing. The koalas who are residents there (who are too injured to return to the wild) are soooo well cared for, with their health continually monitored by a team of volunteers and staff. You can tell they're truly loved and cared for - it's heartwarming to witness. In addition, the areas they live are immaculately clean and every little attention to their comfort has been taken care of. Further, the hospital there helps take care of anywhere from 10-30 (I think?) sick/injured koalas at a time before release to the wild. In addition, we learned SO much about koalas during our tour and appreciated the information and stories included. It is a peaceful, beautiful place that we absolutely loved being a part of for 4 days. By staying there, we were able to financially support the sanctuary a bit and we also were delighted to sponsor/adopt little resident Tai for only $50 a year (and receive updates and pictures about him every few months). If you are a nature lover, have compassion for animals or simply want to get away and have some quiet reflection, absolutely this is the place for you. We can't recommend this sanctuary highly enough - whether for a day visit or overnight stay - it's amazing and I wish we could spend more...

I would give this place 6 stars if i could. From pre check in answering my questions to communicating check in information with me, PSKS has been very good and hospitable. I spoke to Ali prior to check in and during check in and it was superb. Explained everything i needed to know. Renee then came the next day passionately sharing the work on the sanctuary and the koalas. Along the way, the volunteers chip in and explained what they were doing. On the second day, i was approached by one of the ambassadors who pointed out the koalas to me. Housekeeping staff were also welcoming and willing to engage with us. This stop at Port Stephens was the best part of my NSW trip and i am glad we booked 3 nights here at PSKS. It was so tranquil yet full of warmth. PSKS reminded me why i love visiting Australia for the past 25 years. The staff who are passionate about the country, about their wildlife and they cannot wait to share Australia’s best with you. ||So let’s talk a little about the room. We booked the 1 bedroom suite with conti breakfast provided. It was a huge basket of bread, fruit, cereals with milk and juice in the fridge. It was relatively cold day and they prepared the room with ac already switched on (love that). In the breakfast basket there was a hand written welcome note for all of us, which I appreciate v much and have brought home as a souvenir. ||The room was IMMACULATE. Very very new, very very clean. Either no one had stayed there and used the utensils or housekeeping did a brilliant job. I choose to believe the latter. I was really comfortable staying there. Loved the kitchen they provided though i wished they could have a dishwasher, given such a new property it is. Being able to park right in front of the villa is also a big plus. Another big plus was the fact that their internet connection was weak. I had no qualms to disconnect at all for a vacation. ||Great...

I would give this place 6 stars if i could. From pre check in answering my questions to communicating check in information with me, PSKS has been very good and hospitable. I spoke to Ali prior to check in and during check in and it was superb. Explained everything i needed to know. Renee then came the next day passionately sharing the work on the sanctuary and the koalas. Along the way, the volunteers chip in and explained what they were doing. On the second day, i was approached by one of the ambassadors who pointed out the koalas to me. Housekeeping staff were also welcoming and willing to engage with us. This stop at Port Stephens was the best part of my NSW trip and i am glad we booked 3 nights here at PSKS. It was so tranquil yet full of warmth. PSKS reminded me why i love visiting Australia for the past 25 years. The staff who are passionate about the country, about their wildlife and they cannot wait to share Australia’s best with you. ||So let’s talk a little about the room. We booked the 1 bedroom suite with conti breakfast provided. It was a huge basket of bread, fruit, cereals with milk and juice in the fridge. It was relatively cold day and they prepared the room with ac already switched on (love that). In the breakfast basket there was a hand written welcome note for all of us, which I appreciate v much and have brought home as a souvenir. ||The room was IMMACULATE. Very very new, very very clean. Either no one had stayed there and used the utensils or housekeeping did a brilliant job. I choose to believe the latter. I was really comfortable staying there. Loved the kitchen they provided though i wished they could have a dishwasher, given such a new property it is. Being able to park right in front of the villa is also a big plus. Another big plus was the fact that their internet connection was weak. I had no qualms to disconnect at all for a vacation. ||Great...