As any cuddly koala book will tell you, koalas are native to Australia. These cute marsupials are known for their tufty grey fur and diet of eucalyptus leaves. But where exactly do koalas come from and how did they evolve? Let’s find out.

Where koalas live

Did you know that you won’t find koalas all across Australia? In fact, they only live in eastern and southeastern parts of the country, in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria. They’re found primarily in coastal areas where there are plenty of eucalyptus trees to sustain them. A koala’s home range can vary depending on the quality of its habitat, the density of trees, and the koala’s age and social position. Typically home ranges include about 12 trees. 

Where the largest koala populations are

Kangaroo Island is home to the largest population of koalas in Australia. Located off the coast of Adelaide, South Australia, it was home to around 15,000 individuals in 2021, with experts estimating that these numbers may have doubled by the end of 2025. 

The second largest koala population can be found in Victoria, just 42 miles away from the city of Melbourne. An estimated 5,000 - 7,000 individuals live on French Island, an area with few human inhabitants and extensive parkland. While these quiet spots may seem to be ideal for koalas, it’s thought that there’s little genetic diversity among the populations, which can lead to health issues. 

How did koalas evolve?

Koalas are thought to have first evolved when Australia began to separate from the Antarctic and drift northwards, some 45 million years ago. They evolved from a ground-dwelling wombat-like ancestor between 30 and 40 million years ago, and wombats remain their closest relative. While wombats stayed on the ground, koalas are thought to have moved into the trees to take advantage of a food source that wasn’t used by other animals. Fossil remains of arboreal koala-like creatures have been dated to around 25 million years ago.

As koalas were evolving, so was the plant life in Australia. The climate became drier and vegetation became less dense, with eucalyptus trees thriving. Over time, eucalyptus began to form the bulk of the koalas’ diet and their skulls adapted to allow them to chew the tough, fibrous leaves while still being able to make the distinctive low-frequency calls they use to communicate. They also developed specialised ear structures to hear each others’ bellows across sparse forests. 

Meet Kevin the koala

If you like Rachel Bright’s koala picture book, The Koala Who Could, don’t miss the stage adaptation currently touring the UK. One of the most captivating books on koalas for kids, it tells the story of Kevin, who likes nothing more than to stay in his tree and make sure each day is the same…Until disaster strikes and he’s forced to embrace change. The show is ideal for kids aged three and up and provides little ones with a wonderful introduction to theatre. Book tickets today at your local venue.