The Southwest Sydney Koala Project is collaborating with Cattai Hills Environment Network (CHEN) and the Historic Winbourne Estate in Mulgoa, to create a Koala Education Hub that will inspire, educate, and engage visitors for generations to come.
Set in the peaceful Mulgoa Valley, Winbourne is a property rich in history, biodiversity, and a hint of mystery. Originally built as a seminary and spiritual retreat, the estate has evolved into a thriving function centre and educational venue. Today, it welcomes over 11,000 visitors annually, many of them school students exploring both the natural and cultural heritage of the site.
In recent years, large areas of the estate have been dedicated to conservation management, reflecting a strong commitment to protecting the regionβs unique ecosystems. Winbourne is officially recognised as a biodiversity stewardship site, providing critical habitat for at least 10 threatened species, including the Cumberland Plain Land Snail, Large Bent-winged Bat, Sooty Owl, Greater Broad-nosed Bat, White-bellied Sea Eagle, and Grey-headed Flying Fox.
Crucially, the estate lies within the Areas of Regional Koala Significance (ARKS), a vital corridor for Western Sydneyβs koala population, which suffered devastating losses during the Black Summer bushfires of 2019β2020.
To support koala conservation and education, a Koala Education Trail is being developed through a small remnant patch of bushland near the estateβs historic buildings. This trail will feature interpretive signage designed to teach school groups, community members, and visitors about koala behaviour, habitat use, and the broader ecological importance of the area.
This winter, researchers will install song meters to record the bellows of male koalas as they pass through the site. These acoustic surveys will help fill important knowledge gaps about koala distribution and support ongoing research in the Lower Blue Mountains. While koalas have not yet returned to Mulgoa and parts of the Wollondilly impacted by the fires, we remain hopeful that this year will bring signs of their return.
And for those drawn to the estateβs more mysterious side, Winbourne also offers Ghost Tours. Visitors can explore the propertyβs legendary paranormal history, including sightings of the βgirl in white.β Participants join the Paranormal and Cryptid Task-force (PACT) and receive ghost-hunting kits to investigate the estateβs shadowy past.
To learn more about how you can get involved with CHEN, visit their website.
By working together, we can protect vital habitat, inspire future generations, and secure a safer future for Southwest Sydneyβs koalas.
