Great Koala National Park gets the green light

After more than a decade of campaigning, Great Koala National Park on the NSW Mid North Coast is a step closer to reality, following the passage of landmark legislation through NSW Parliament.

The legislation, passed on October 22, will add 178,000 hectares of state forest and Crown land to the national park estate, creating a protected landscape spanning more than 475,000 hectares when combined with existing reserves. The park is expected to open before the end of 2026.

The new park will protect habitat for an estimated 12,000 koalas, alongside 36,000 gliders and more than 100 other threatened species. By safeguarding large areas of connected forest, the park aims to help wildlife survive habitat loss and other pressures.

But this is not just a sanctuary for wildlife. Visitors will still be able to explore the region’s forests through bushwalking, trail running, camping, cycling and mountain biking. Canoeing, kayaking, horse riding, four-wheel driving and fishing will also be available in appropriate areas, while some reserves will permit dog walking.

The park spans the traditional Country of the Gumbaynggirr and Dunghutti peoples, who have helped shape the project and will continue to guide its management. The initiative is also expected to boost nature-based tourism and support local businesses, with around 100 new National Parks and Wildlife Service roles planned.

For bushwalkers, the park promises an opportunity to explore an enormous expanse of coastal forest while knowing that its precious wildlife habitat is receiving long-term protection. The challenge now is to turn this conservation milestone into a thriving natural destination for generations to come.