Six koalas and two wombats are leaving Adelaide's Cleland Wildlife bound for the southwest of England.
The animals are set to fly with their keepers and a vet to take up residence at the Longleat Safari Park.
The transfer is part of an agreement to help foster conservation and education on the uniqueness of Australian native animals.
Environment Minister David Speirs says the move has been two years in the making with Cleland and Longleat specialists collaborating to ensure the animals were as well prepared as possible.
Cleland director Chris Daniels says those chosen to make the trip had to be happy to be handled, able to bond with their new keepers and not easily stressed.
"Most importantly they needed to be in excellent health," Professor Daniels said on Tuesday.
Once they clear quarantine the koalas and wombats are expected to go on display in early 2019, living in a new enclosure that features a natural spring, themed indoor and outdoor habitats and viewing areas.
Two Longleat keepers and a British vet have spent the past two months in Adelaide learning how to care for the animals.
Eucalyptus leaves for the koalas will be imported from SA until feed from trees planted at Longleat becomes available.
