Should You Do a Koala & Kangaroo Tour from Sydney?

Most Sydney koala and kangaroo tours are full-day trips (8–11 hours) that take you out of the city to either the Blue Mountains or south to Jervis Bay. Expect a mix of wildlife park visits where you can hold a koala (usually for a quick photo) and walk among kangaroos and wallabies that you hand-feed. The better trips also include scenic stops like beaches, lookouts, or short rainforest walks. It’s not a wild safari — the animals are in sanctuaries or managed parks — but it’s the easiest and most reliable way to get close to them without renting a car.

Best time is spring (September–November) or autumn (March–May) when temperatures are comfortable and roads are less crowded. Summer tours run hot, especially in the Blue Mountains. Expect to pay around $110–$220 per person depending on group size, inclusions, and whether it’s a shared coach or smaller private tour. Cheaper options usually mean bigger buses and less time with the animals.

Pick a tour that visits both a wildlife park for koala handling and a separate kangaroo feeding area; skip anything that only offers a quick roadside “kangaroo sighting” in the Blue Mountains — those are hit-and-miss. If you get motion sick, choose the Jervis Bay route over the winding mountain roads. Bring your own snacks; tour food stops are often overpriced and average.