A pesky koala has taken full advantage of an unoccupied car's air-conditioner and comfortable leather seating this week.

Key points: The koala can be seen making itself at home in the back seat of Mr Whitrow's car

The koala can be seen making itself at home in the back seat of Mr Whitrow's car It tore holes in the car's dashboard before it escaped into scrubland

It tore holes in the car's dashboard before it escaped into scrubland An environment department spokeswoman urged people not to get too close to wild animals

South Australian winemaker Tim Whitrow was checking on fruit in his family's McLaren Vale vineyard, about 40 kilometres south of Adelaide, on Monday when he noticed a koala was in his car.

He had left the car's door open, with the air-conditioner on, so that his dog could get in and out while he worked.

"As I was moving to another part of the vineyard, I noticed that someone else was also in the car enjoying the air-conditioner," he said.

"It took a fair bit of convincing to get the feisty little fella out."

The marsupial spent some time reclining in the vehicle. ( Supplied: Facebook )

Mr Whitrow filmed his encounter with the curious Australian marsupial, which can be seen crawling around the inside of the car despite all of the doors being open.

"This is what happens when you leave your car doors open in a vineyard … koalas jump into your car, and your dog's really curious," Mr Whitrow said while taking the footage.

He took the koala to the edge of neighbouring scrubland and encouraged it to leave the car, before offering it water.

It climbed to the front seat, and left several gouge marks across the dashboard.

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

The koala eventually left the car and can be seen running across grass before climbing up a gum tree.

Department warns against touching wild animals

A Department for Environment and Water spokeswoman said people should be wary of engaging with wild animals.

"In this type of situation, we recommend that the car doors be opened and that a rolled up newspaper or umbrella or similar item be used to gently push the koala towards an open door," the spokeswoman said.

"Never pull a wild animal towards you and don't attempt to pat it or pick it up."

Encounter follows another koala intruder

Mr Whitrow was surprised to find the furry visitor in the back seat. ( Supplied: Facebook )

Mr Whitrow's encounter followed a koala intruder — nicknamed Kevin — which was filmed rummaging through a CD collection inside an Adelaide Hills home in February.

Amanda Robertson was at home with her husband and son when she was woken by an "unusual sound" coming from the family's lounge room around 2:00am.

The marsupial had entered the home through the back door, which the family had left open to keep the house cool.

The animal was eventually coaxed into leaving the house after about 20 minutes, and retreated to the branches of a tree in the family's backyard.