Patrons at a Port Macquarie hotel can be forgiven for thinking they'd had one too many when a koala strolled into the front bar.

The gatecrasher made its way towards shocked patrons during the dinner service at Settlers Inn Hotel on Thursday, September 25.

While the koala was guided safely outside and up a nearby tree, the incident has prompted wildlife experts to send a powerful message.

Koala Conservation Australia conservation manager Scott Castle says people should give a koala as much space as possible if it enters a public place to help ensure it can find its way out.

Mr Castle said people can be tempted to take photos of the animal, but asked them to put themselves in the koala's position.

"If people crowd around it, they'll often sit still, and people even go up and try to pat

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