A koala who drew widespread interest from Australia and abroad after he was rescued from a bushfire near Canberra is "on the recovery road" and is expected to survive.

Initially dubbed "Tinny Arse" for his good fortune by rescuer Damian Campbell-Davys, the young marsupial required intensive care including intravenous drips and medication from carers at the Southern Cross Wildlife Care centre in the NSW Southern Highlands.

"Sunshine" - the koala formerly dubbed "Tinny Arse" by his rescuer - is now doing well after receiving urgent medical help. Credit:Kate Geraghty

"He was quite unwell," Howard Ralph, the centre's veterinary surgeon, told the Herald.

"He wouldn't eat at all. He certainly needed to come into our care."