Many thanks. Firstly, due to the Australian Government restrictions our attraction is closed until further notice. Koalas in Queensland are held for no more than 30 minutes a day under the strictest guidelines in the country and these are adhered to to the letter. We will also be offering patting photos where the Koalas are on a branch as an option when we re-open. But to answer your question fully, if you'd like to stand with a keeper holding the Koala, we don't see that would be a problem but we are still closed at the moment.

Many thanks Itomaya. That is a very good question. T A has brought in a policy banning any Zoos which offer interactions with so called 'wild animals'. Our Koalas are not wild and we have spent hours trying to explain this to them as the vast majority were raised in captivity, our family having been the first in North Queensland to do so more than 30 years go. We think it is absurd, but it is out of our control and in the hands of lobbyists that don't understand the critical role Zoos play in the care and rescue of wildlife in Australia, especially now since the devastating fires. We truly wish someone from the company would listen to us.

Hello there. Short answer is no. Kuranda is in a lush rainforest. We actually are having rain now as the start of our wet season so we are all good.

Our Koala Holding photos are $24.00 retail. Under our animal welfare guidelines which we strictly comply with no Koala can be used for holding photos for longer than 30 minutes. Maintaining Koalas including all their care, food, keeper costs etc is very high so we have to pass that cost on. Our photos are done by a contractor and the proceeds are shared so we only receive a portion of the total retail price but feel it is very important for this significant experience that the photo be of high quality and done by a professional. You can also have photos taken on your own camera/device if time permits.

No reservation is required. We have designated photo times which they will advise you of at reception.

No that is all fine. We have a specially constructed photographic area which is fully covered. Yes, it does rain some of the time in January in North Queensland just like it snows in the Northern Hemisphere during this time of year. Life is about living, rain, hail or shine. Nothing is every going to be 'perfect' and it is time for all travellers to come to terms with the fact that they should just be grateful for the fact that they are free to travel, explore and enjoy the world, wet or dry, hot or cold.

Thanks. No we don't hold venomous snakes at Kuranda Koala Gardens but all these are at the Gallery of Living Art display at Hartley's Crocodile Adventures. This can be accessed via coach such as Cairns Tours, GTS, Beaches Meet and Greet.

My time with the koala was pretty quick, just enough time to position the koala, take professional photos, have the staff take photos with my own camera (which was really nice of them) and handoff to the next person in line. I did not see anyone in line ahead or behind me have much cuddling time. The staff told us that there is a time limit on how long each koala can "work" as a model, so they want to make sure everyone in line gets a chance. Koalas are nocturnal, so the handlers have to wake them up to take photos. Your time with the koala might depend on how many people are at the gardens and how many koalas are cooperative that day.