Surprise visitor spotted perusing the shoe aisle at Warrnambool Rivers store

Staff and shoppers at Rivers in Warrnambool's Homemaker Centre found an adorable koala wandering through the store on Monday afternoon.

Warrnambool's Stuart Ivermee said he attended the store about 12.30pm and was alerted by a staff member to the cute critter checking out the shoe aisle.

"The manager said 'we've got a special visitor' and I looked down one of the aisles and saw the little guy just walking around having a look," he said.

"It came through the front doors and actually just cruised around the store for a bit. He was comfortable and not too worried at all.

"He actually came right up to me and sniffed my hand at one point."

Mr Ivermee said staff members shut the doors and waited for a wildlife carer to arrive.

"I guess he must have been living in the gum trees near the Homemaker Centre and just got a bit inquisitive,' he said.

"A few shoppers were all a bit stunned and a couple of workers from other stores came in to check it out.

"It was an interesting afternoon that's for sure."

Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.