Magnetic Island has one of the highest densities of wild koalas in Australia, and unlike many places where koalas are presented in wildlife parks, here they are genuinely wild and genuinely abundant. The eucalyptus forests of the national park shelter hundreds of animals, and spotting them requires nothing more than looking up into the tree forks along any of the walking trails.
The Forts Walk is the most reliable place to see them, particularly in the morning when the animals are more active. Look for the distinctive round shape wedged in the angle between the trunk and a branch — koalas sleep 18 to 22 hours a day, so "active" is relative. The national park rangers ask that you stay on the trails and keep a respectful distance. Koalas in the wild are much quieter and more torpid than the zoo versions, but there is something deeply satisfying about finding one 15 metres up a tree by your own observation.