Australian park officials issue hilarious warning after wombat turns tourists' cars into his personal lounge

Author image for Sarah Brown
Sarah Brown • Writer and Editor
Nov 9, 2026 11:30 AM EST

Leaving your car door open for a few minutes seems harmless enough. Maybe you're unloading groceries, grabbing your bag, or trying to remember where you put your phone. In Australia, however, you might return to find a wombat sitting in your passenger seat. Even the local wildlife is looking for a free ride these days.

We'd love to know what goes through this little guy's head when he spots an unattended vehicle. Does he inspect the interior before climbing aboard? Is he hoping someone will take him somewhere exciting? Maybe he's just discovered that car seats are considerably more comfortable than the ground. Either way, he's developed quite the habit of making himself at home in other people's vehicles.

A popular picnic area in Australia has been dealing with one particularly determined wombat who keeps climbing into parked cars. Visitors reported finding him in their passenger seats while they unloaded bags or packed up lunch. Staff initially thought several complaints referred to the same incident, until they realized the cars were different but the wombat was the same. One couple reportedly waited almost an hour for him to leave, while another visitor discovered him settling in before she'd even finished unloading her belongings. Officials have since reminded visitors to keep their doors shut.

An entire hour waiting for a wombat to get out of your car! We'd probably spend the first ten minutes taking pictures, followed by another twenty trying to negotiate with him. Unfortunately, we doubt wombats respond particularly well to polite requests, especially when they've already found a comfortable place to sit.

We also wonder whether this little troublemaker has a favorite type of car. Perhaps he prefers vehicles with spacious passenger seats or particularly comfortable upholstery. He might even have a regular parking spot he checks every afternoon. The possibilities are endless when you're a wombat with absolutely no understanding of personal property.

After photos of the unexpected passenger circulated online, park officials had to clarify that nobody had abandoned him. He lives in the area and apparently considers the parking lot part of his territory. For now, visitors have been advised to keep their doors closed unless they fancy sharing their car with a furry hitchhiker.

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  • 01
    Australian officials have issued a reminder to shut your car doors after one wombat
    via @domdyer70
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    helped himself to several passenger seats. The notice followed complaints from
    via @domdyer70
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    Cheezburger Image 10675797504
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    visitors at a popular picnic area, where the same wombat reportedly kept
    via @domdyer70
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    climbing into parked cars while people unloaded bags or packed up lunch.
    via @domdyer70
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    At first, staff thought they were receiving several calls about one incident. Then
    via @domdyer70
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    they realized the cars were different. The passenger wasn't.
    via @domdyer70
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    Cheezburger Image 10675799040
    via @domdyer70
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    One couple waited nearly an hour before he climbed out. Another visitor said he
    via @domdyer70
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    settled into the seat before she'd even finished putting her things in the boot.
    via @domdyer70
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    Officials asked visitors to keep their doors closed and contact staff if they found an unexpected occupant.
    via @domdyer70
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    After the photos spread online, a park spokesperson clarified the
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    situation. "He hasn't been abandoned. He lives here. Please
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    stop calling to say someone's left their wombat in a car."
    via @domdyer70
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    Australian wombat in a field in a national park.
    via phototrip / Canva

    Model portrayal.

  • 16
    Now send every co... @Learn1585... Over the last few years, many more wombats have passed their tests for driving licenses, even though they have limited vision out of the windshield.
    via @Learn15856480
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    Robert Jones @RobertJ09... Bet you, He has figured out that if he sits in the car, people will throw him food to get him to move?
    via @RobertJ09323900

  • This wombat has clearly figured out how to game the system! Why bother searching for food when you can climb into someone's car, look adorable, and hope they'll offer you a snack? He's probably realized that humans are complete suckers for a cute face. We wouldn't be surprised if he's got the entire picnic area wrapped around his little paws by now!

  • 18
    E Meow @emeowwww Did anyone even bother to ask where he needed to be?
    via @emeowwww
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    Anne of Green Gar... @Preservati... I for one would be very pleased to find a wombat in my car
    via @Preservation945
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    Sales Roo @TheSalesR... Welcome to Australia
    via @TheSalesRoo
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    Debbie Jordan @Debra Jotd... Hilarious He knows a good nap place when he sees it
    via @DebraJotdan24
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    BananArchist @bananarea... Dude heard about the cat distribution system and thought he'd try his luck
    via @bananareasons

  • Is there a Wombat Distribution System? Because we're starting to think there should be one! The Cat Distribution System has already blessed plenty of unsuspecting humans with furry companions, so why shouldn't wombats get in on the action? Imagine opening your car door and finding a little wombat waiting to be adopted. We'd have a very hard time telling that adorable face to leave!

  • 23
    Woof @Lin7Av Get him his own car. Or car bed. Or toy bed car.
    via @Lin7Av
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    Juliette402 @Juliette402 I need a wombat plushie, NOW!
    via @Juliette402
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    Calamity Jen @realjenx I would leave my doors open on purpose.
    via @realjenx
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    Christina @CVPazChri... Leave him alone! That's his lil wombat spot
    via @CVPazChristina
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    鲅鱼二娃(互关) @Dimmens... Turns out the visitors were parking in the wombat's living room. "Please shut your doors" seems like a perfectly reasonable house rule. C
    via @DimmensCK
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    Gillian Dempsey @catedemp... He looks like a little kid ready to be clicked in and given a treat for the ride home. I know very much that he's not a pet or a child and that going near him is a terrible idea, but in that moment, I could see how city people would be fooled!
    via @catedempsey
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    Colin Scott @vandal_mu... Like the rest of us, he's wondering why the steering wheel is on the wrong side of the car.
    via @vandal_muldoon

  • This is pure Australia! Where else would you have to worry about a wombat casually climbing into your car while you're enjoying a picnic? We love how the park officials had to remind people to shut their doors because one furry little troublemaker keeps helping himself to the passenger seats. Most places have signs warning about parking restrictions. Australia apparently needs signs reminding visitors to check for wombats before driving off!

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    Alan Stacey @AlanVRK Someone should buy him a car seat of his own, and a miniature house to keep it dry.
    via @AlanVRK

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car australia Wombat animals hysterical park lol funny
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