In 1989, the Giant Koala in Australia is 14 meters tall. Giant Koala made of bronze, placed on a steel frame, weighs 12 tons.Created by sculptor Ben Van Zetton, who was hired in 1988 to design and build the piece, visitors can enter Giant Koala to purchase traditional tourist products.
It was announced in late 2009 that the Giant Koala would be renamed to the memory of the world-famous Sam koala in order to raise awareness of Australia’s declining koala population.Surviving third-degree burns and lung damage in the Southern Ash Wildlife Sanctuary, Sam became a worldwide symbol after devastating forest fires destroyed a large area of koalas. He eventually died from complications related to chlamydia, affecting half the wild koala population.
Situated midway between Stawell and Horsham is one of Australia’s iconic “Big Things”. Take a break a stop for a snack or meal at the restaurant. There is a large range of savouries and gifts inside the Koala. Take the kids into our Native and Farm Animal Zoo where they can feed the animals.
Grab a quick bite to eat on your way through to the Grampians as the Giant Koala has an onsite cafe and sells ice-cream, perfect for a snack. The cafe is open from 8am to 7pm daily.Get up and close with the koala and take some photos of the local wildlife. The entry fee is $5.00 per adult and children under 15 years are free. The entry fee includes a small bag of animal feed and the animal display is open from 8.30am to 4.30pm 7 days a week.
For those wanting to remember their time at the Giant Koala, you can purchase a souvenir from the gift shop which is located inside the complex.There is ample parking space so make a stop at the Giant Koala Tourist Complex on your way through to the Grampians.