Gumeracha’s Big Rocking Horse is getting an adorable new neighbour, as the Giant Koala arrives this summer

As you and I both know, South Australia is home to a lot of big things. We’ve got the Big Galah in Kimba, the Big Kangaroo in Border Village, the Big Lobster in Kingston SE, the Big Orange in Berri, and the list goes on (so much so that we’ve got a guide for it). But there’s one notoriously big thing that brings tourists to the Adelaide Hills from far and wide.

The Big Rocking Horse is a South Australian icon. Located at a wildlife park of the same name in Gumeracha, this week, they’ve revealed a new, and of course, very big, addition coming to the park, celebrating the furry friends and wildlife that call the spot home.

So now, Gumeracha is not just home to the Big Rocking Horse, but also a very cute, very cuddly… Big Koala!

The new addition has been a dream for owner Mell Eren. “When we built the mini golf in August 2024, we were looking at things to put at each hole. We came across a company in Queensland who do all the theme parks up there. We got a quote for some mini golf items and thought, ‘No, we can’t afford that’, so we left it.

“But then we saw this koala, and I said, ‘It’s a dream of mine to get this koala and put it in the park,’ because we’ll never have real-life koalas here. So let’s get something where people can come and have a photo and create memories, because life to us is all about creating memories.”

After spending some time saving, Mell and her team finally pulled the trigger on the giant koala and are now preparing as it makes its way down from Queensland.

It’s expected to arrive before Christmas, and just in time for the Big Rocking Horse’s 44th birthday, Mell says they’re planning on putting their new 9-foot-tall Koala in the animal park. “It’ll be in the animal park. So when people say, ‘Have you got koalas in the park?’ we’re going to say, ‘Yeah, we’ve got one!” she said.

The new Koala will be joining a variety of native animals, including red and grey kangaroos, Bennett’s wallabies, swamp wallabies, tamar wallabies and emus. But more importantly, it will be another fun addition to what Mell and her family envision for the park.

“Our passion is keeping it affordable. Coming to the park is a family-friendly day out where you can bring a picnic if you don’t want to buy from the cafe, or you can just see the animals or climb the horse. For around $20 you get a whole day out.

“My husband and I used to come here as children. Then we brought our children. Now we’ve got grandchildren, and we bring them too. What we want is for this park to be around for at least another 50 years to come. It turns 44 on December 11th. And that’s actually the day the koala might arrive in the park, we’re still waiting to see when the installation will happen. So it’s pretty special, the Big Rocking Horse’s 44th birthday gets a koala,” said Mell.

So keep an eye out for The Big Rocking Horse’s socials this summer, as they’ll be sharing updates on their latest addition to the park!

The Big Rocking Horse
When: 7 days a week, closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day
Where: The Big Rocking Horse, 452 Torrens Valley Road, Gumeracha, South Australia, 5233.
For more information, click here.