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City of Wollongong
Resident Visitor Business

Koala Food Forest is a vineyard-style planting consisting of carefully selected eucalyptus tree species.

Koalas need a range of eucalyptus leaf species to eat from that reflect seasonal changes. Ten species were chosen for the Koala Food Forest to appeal to the koala preferences at Symbio:

Primary Tree SpeciesSecondary Tree Species
  • Swamp Mahogany Eucalyptus robusta
  • Forest Red Gum Eucalyptus tereticornis
  • Cabbage Gum Eucalyptus amplifolia
  • Grey Gum Eucalyptus punctata
  • Tallowwood Eucalyptus microcorys
  • Pink Flowering Ironbark Eucalyptus sideroxylon
  • River Red Gum Eucalyptus camaldulensis
  • Lemon-scented gum Corymbia citriodora
  • Rose Gum Eucalyptus grandis
  • Sydney peppermint Eucalyptus piperita

In 18-24 months, the trees are expected to reach up to 3 metres high and 2 metres wide, with the mature trees managed up to 4 metres high by 3 metres wide.

When the trees reach maturity, Symbio will sustainably harvest the leaves to feed the koalas in their care and wild koala populations when affected by natural disasters.

As koalas are fussy eaters and only eat the fresh shoots of the branches, the remainder of the branches are fed out to other animals at Symbio including the Possums, Kangaroos, Wombats and farm animals.