Get up close with Koalas in the wild at Mikkira Station, Port Lincoln.
by Katrina Gogel
Mikkira Station is a privately owned property located approximately 20 minutes’ drive from Port Lincoln on the Eyre Peninsula. It is home to a large colony of wild koalas that live in the Manna Gum trees throughout the station.
Families will love exploring the vast property, with little ones sure to enjoy finding as many koalas as possible during their visit. Make a morning or afternoon of it, or better yet hitch up the camper or caravan and spend a night under the stars, as camping is permitted!
Entry to Mikkira is organised through the Port Lincoln Visitor Information Centre. Make sure to call in to the centre prior to driving out to the station, as you will need to register your details, pay for a permit ($30 as at 27 April 2021) and receive a key to access the locked entrance gate.
The drive to the station from town will take you around twenty minutes, and is on both sealed and unsealed roads. You don’t need a 4wd to access the property, however it is a good idea to keep an eye on the weather and ask the visitor information centre what the road conditions are like.
Once at the property you will come to a padlocked gate, which you will need to unlock with the key provided by the info centre. Lock it back up after you’ve driven through, and then meander at leisure around the property.
There is a signposted walking trail shortly after you arrive, that we highly recommend you stop and do. The trail leads through native vegetation and out to some giant yakka bushes- the biggest we’ve ever come across on our travels!
Fun fact: Yakka bushes are known to grow approx. 1-2cm per year. These yakka bushes are HUGE and must be a few generations old!
After the walk, hop back in your car and continue following the track until you reach a large grassy clearing. Here you can park your car (or set up camp), and wander around the Manna Gums looking for koalas.
We found quite a few koalas resting low in the trees, which was exciting for the kids as they could get a close up look at them!
As well as Koalas, there’s plenty of other wildlife to try and spy on the property too, including birds, kangaroos, emus and reptiles. There’s also plenty of fallen gums which kids will have fun climbing on, plus the old Mikkira homestead which is worthy of a look.
If you’re planning a holiday to Port Lincoln, definitely pop Mikkira Station on your must-see list. Our kids really enjoyed spending an afternoon exploring the station, and seeing who could spot the most koalas (we ended up seeing so many, that we lost count!).
Mikkira Station is great value for money and an experience your little ones won’t forget.
Tips + things to note:
- Mikkira Station is only open during the cooler months of the year, generally from 1st of May to the 1st October. For up-to-date information phone or visit the Port Lincoln Visitor Information Centre website.
- Permits to visit the station are available through the Port Lincoln Visitor Information Centre, located at 3 Adelaide Place, Port Lincoln. Please call in to the centre prior to driving out to Mikkira, as you have to register your details for a permit, pay entry fees and get a gate access key (which you then have to return back to the centre after your visit).
- Mikkira Station is a private property which you self-drive, so strict rules must be followed.
- We recommend allowing a full morning or afternoon to experience Mikkira. Pack a picnic and enjoy lunch out there too!
- Alternatively, camping is permitted at Mikkira, with a one-night stay included in the permit fee. Bargain! If you’re travelling with your tent/camper/caravan why not make a night of it!
- You’ll need to park your car in the large, open grassed area and do some walking to see the koalas- so make sure to have comfortable clothes/footwear.
- Be sure to do the giant Yakka walk- they really are giant, and amazing!
- You are not allowed to touch/pat the wild koalas.
- There is a toilet block in the large open/grassed area + an undercover shelter. There are no other facilities.
- Mikkira is family friendly and little ones won’t have to walk too far to see a koala. I would recommend using a baby carrier instead of a pram to walk around the property.
- Mikkira is approximately 30 kilometres from Port Lincoln. Some roads on the way out are unsealed, and roads within the property are dirt tracks. It is 2wd accessible, however please be mindful of the weather and possible changes rain can cause to road conditions.
Location:
Fishery Bay Road, Sleaford (approx 30 kilometres from Port Lincoln)
Click here for all the Best Playgrounds for Toddlers
See our Top Parks & Playgrounds Around Adelaide
For more information and all enquiries please visit the Mikkira Station website or Port Lincoln Visitor Information Centre website.
What: See Koalas in the Wild at Mikkira Station, Port Lincoln
When: 1st May to 1st October every year (check with the Port Lincoln Visitor Information Centre for up-to-date details).
Where: Sleaford (approx 30 kms from Port Lincoln) South Australia
Who: Everyone
At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.
Image Source: All photos by Katrina Gogel
SUBSCRIBE
Want to get all the latest events and activities straight to your inbox?
Subscribe to our weekly email newsletter below to keep up to date with our latest posts and find out all the best events & activities for Adelaide families. Newsletters are only sent once a week, and you may sometimes get a special offer exclusively for our subscribers only!
