This is my favorite Australian road sign. I snapped the photo during a drive through southeastern Australia along the Great Ocean Road, just a few hours north of Melbourne.Koalas live almost entirely on eucalyptus leaves which they spend three of their five active hours munching. Eucalyptus leaves are low in protein, high in indigestible substances, and contain phenolic and terpene compounds that are toxic to most species. Like wombats and sloths, the koala has a very low metabolic rate for a mammal and rests motionless for about 16 to 18 hours a day, sleeping most of that time. They usually wake up to eat at night, sometimes crossing roads to reach adjacent trees. Sadly, it has been documented that about 4,000 koalas are killed each year in Australia by dogs and cars. A drowsy animal that crosses roads to feed at night necessitates the cautionary sign. So, if you ever drive through southeastern Australia, please watch for koalas on roads at night!
If you want to see koalas in the Australian wild, they can sometimes be spotted sleeping in trees along the Great Ocean Road. Here are a few more specific possible locations:
Hawks Nest and Tea Gardens Area
Kennett River
Raymond Island
