Adelaide winemaker finds koala in the backseat of his car

A South Australian winemaker got a surprise after finding a koala had broken into his car at his family's McLaren Vale vineyard, about 40 kilometres south of Adelaide.

Tim Whitrow had stopped to sample same grapes and was shocked to see the furry guest making itself at home in his vehicle when he returned.

“I noticed some fluffy ears in the backseat and realised there was koala in the car,” he told 9news.

Mr Whitrow filmed his encounter with the Australian marsupial, which was hesitant to leave the air-conditioned comfort of the vehicle.

“This is what happens when you leave your car doors open in a vineyard,” he can be heard saying in the video.

“Can I get you to come out of my car please.”

After failing to lure the koala from his car with water, Mr Whithrow tried to give it a gentle nudge but was met with an angry swipe from the marsupial.

The koala then began climbing over the car seat and onto the dashboard.

"Mate … what are you doing? Come on buddy, you're tearing up my dash," he said during the encounter.

The winemaker eventually removed his new friend from the car, but not before it left several gouge marks across the dashboard.

“It was definitely a chilled koala. I ended up having to grab it by the scruff of the neck and literally pull it off the dash to take it out of the car,” he told 9News.

While Mr Whitrow has insurance on his car, he said he would leave the claw marks as a memento.

“I feel really blessed for the experience. I really do,” he said.