Quick answer
Koalas live in eastern Australian eucalyptus forest and woodland. They are not African and not Chinese pandas. IUCN: Vulnerable. Combined QLD/NSW/ACT populations were listed Endangered nationally in 2022. Figures checked 13 August 2026.
Where do koalas live, really?
A coastal and inland woodland belt in eastern Australia. They are Phascolarctos cinereus, not a bear. A tourist tree is not Tasmania-plus-Western-Australia.
What trees do they actually use?
Preferred eucalyptus species with the right toxins and moisture. Any street gum is not habitat. They are not a farms-and-suburbs species even when they cross a lawn.
How do people punch holes in the map?
Clearing, roads, dogs, fire. Isolated remnants look occupied until the next heatwave empties them.
Does Vulnerable mean the map is safe?
No. The 2014 IUCN label sits beside a 2022 national Endangered listing for the combined east-coast populations. Victoria is not that ledger.
Why is the ground the danger?
They are slow between trees. Cars and dogs do the killing that fire and clearing start.
Is a backyard gum a range?
No. WARN’s habitat appeal funds partner work — not a koala hospital.
Sources
Koala FAQs
Where do koalas live?
Eucalyptus forest and woodland along eastern Australia — Queensland through New South Wales, the ACT, Victoria and into South Australia. They are not African, not a bear, and not a farms-and-suburbs species even when they sit in a backyard gum. IUCN: Vulnerable.
Do koalas live in the same places as giant pandas?
No. Pandas occupy Chinese bamboo. Koalas occupy Australian eucalyptus. Mixing the pins mixes the appeals. Do not map either to an orangutan appeal.
Have they lost range?
Yes. Clearing, fire and drought punch holes in the coastal woodland belt. Australia listed combined QLD/NSW/ACT populations Endangered in 2022. A tourist tree in a town is not a recovered range.
What actually protects koala range?
Connected eucalyptus, slower roads, fewer roaming dogs. World Animal Rescue Network funds habitat-protection partners. WARN does not run Australian koala hospitals.
Who this page is for.This page is native range and habitat, not a sighting hotline.