Think might of gotten the date a bit off, looks like the exhibit might even of been completed by 1971 according to online info (think the Noc' House was '72, all around same era like Platypus House and Rainforest Aviary, re the post-Hallstrom, Ronald Strahan directorship years with initial upgrades being native focused {well you guys already know lol} )..so *53+ years and going strong/looking good lol.
(ps remember during the night zoo seasonal visits in late '90s they would keep Long-nosed Potoroo in there on the ground sharing with the Koalas, the latter of course fast asleep from memory, think the dim orangey-red nocturnal lights around the timber elevated walkway was from memory quite a scenic site, was surprised they kept the exhibit open for the night zoo weeks, guess because Koalas do sometimes get up to some nightfall activity once in a while).
@steveroberts The Koala exhibit opened 11/10/1971 according to the plaque on the wall outside. It’s impressive indeed its stood the test of time. It would have been a groundbreaking attraction (especially for international visitors) when it first opened and in the decades that followed.
@Zoofan15 Oh legend thanks for info man (will add to the Taronga timeline draft thanks to you), yeah absolutely and yeah especially with international visitors indeed, as a 'happy little vegemite' Australian think have taken seeing Koalas a bit for granted.